A 41-year-old man comes to the emergency department because of fatigue, worsening abdominal discomfort, and progressive swelling of his legs for 3 months. The swelling is worse in the evenings. His only medication is ibuprofen for occasional joint pain. The patient does not smoke and drinks 2–3 beers each weekend. His temperature is 36°C (96.8°F), pulse is 88/min, respirations are 18/min, and blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg. Pulmonary examination shows no abnormalities. Abdominal examination shows a mildly distended abdomen with shifting dullness. The liver is palpated 2–3 cm below the right costal margin. When pressure is applied to the right upper quadrant, the patient's jugular veins become visibly distended for 15 seconds. The 2nd and 3rd metacarpophalangeal joints of both hands are tender to palpation. There is 2+ edema in the lower extremities. Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of this patient's edema?
AReduced glomerular filtration rate
BMacrovesicular steatosis of the liver
CDermal deposition of glycosaminoglycans
DImpaired hepatic protein synthesis
EImpaired relaxation of the right ventricle
A 38-year-old woman comes to the physician because of an 8-week history of shortness of breath and dull chest pain. She has a history of antiphospholipid syndrome. Physical examination shows jugular venous distention. Right heart catheterization shows a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 30 mm Hg and a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure of 10 mm Hg. Further evaluation is most likely to show which of the following?
AConstriction of the renal afferent arteriole
BHemosiderin-laden macrophages
CMitral valve leaflet thickening
DDilation of the coronary sinus
EDecreased left ventricular contractility
Six days after undergoing a left hemicolectomy for colorectal carcinoma, a 59-year-old man collapses in the hospital hallway and is unconscious for 30 seconds. Afterwards, he complains of shortness of breath and chest pain with deep inhalation. He has hypertension and hyperlipidemia. He smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 35 years but quit prior to admission to the hospital. He does not drink alcohol. He is in distress and appears ill. His temperature is 36.5°C (97.7°F), blood pressure is 80/50 mm Hg, and pulse is 135/min and weak. Oxygen saturation is 88% on room air. Physical examination shows elevated jugular venous distention. Cardiac examination shows a regular, rapid heart rate and a holosystolic murmur that increases during inspiration. His abdomen is soft and mildly tender to palpation around the surgical site. Examination of his extremities shows pitting edema of the left leg. His skin is cold and clammy. Further examination is most likely to reveal which of the following findings?
AReduced regional ventricular wall motion
BRapid, aberrant contractions of the atria
CStenosis of the carotid arteries
DDilated right ventricular cavity
EAnechoic space between pericardium and epicardium
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