A 58-year-old man comes to the emergency department for complaints of crushing chest pain for 4 hours. He was shoveling snow outside when the pain started. It is rated 7/10 and radiates to his left arm. An electrocardiogram (ECG) demonstrates ST-segment elevation in leads V2-4. He subsequently undergoes percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and is discharged with aspirin, clopidogrel, carvedilol, atorvastatin, and lisinopril. Five days later, the patient is brought to the emergency department by his wife with complaints of dizziness. He reports lightheadedness and palpitations for the past 2 hours but otherwise feels fine. His temperature is 99.7°F (37.6°C), blood pressure is 95/55 mmHg, pulse is 105/min, and respirations are 17/min. A pulmonary artery catheter is performed and demonstrates an increase in oxygen concentration at the pulmonary artery. What finding would you expect in this patient?
AWidespread ST-segment elevations
BHarsh, loud, holosystolic murmur at the lower left sternal border
CPulseless electrical activity
DDrop of systolic blood pressure by 20 mmHg during inspiration
ENormal findings
A 66-year-old female with hypertension and a recent history of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) 6 days previous, treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), presents with sudden onset chest pain, shortness of breath, diaphoresis, and syncope. Vitals are temperature 37°C (98.6°F), blood pressure 80/50 mm Hg, pulse 125/min, respirations 12/min, and oxygen saturation 92% on room air. On physical examination, the patient is pale and unresponsive. Cardiac exam reveals tachycardia and a pronounced holosystolic murmur loudest at the apex and radiates to the back. Lungs are clear to auscultation. Chest X-ray shows cardiomegaly with clear lung fields. ECG is significant for ST elevations in the precordial leads (V2-V4) and low-voltage QRS complexes. Emergency transthoracic echocardiography shows a left ventricular wall motion abnormality along with a significant pericardial effusion. The patient is intubated, and aggressive fluid resuscitation is initiated. What is the next best step in management?
AImmediate cardiac catheterization
BImmediate transfer to the operating room
CEmergency pericardiocentesis
DIntra-aortic balloon counterpulsation
EAdminister dobutamine 5-10 mcg/kg/min IV
A 71-year-old man comes to the physician for a health maintenance examination. Aside from occasional lower back pain in the last couple of years, he feels well. He had a right-sided myocardial infarction 4 years ago. Currently, he has no shortness of breath and has no anginal symptoms. He has a 30 pack-year history of smoking but stopped smoking 10 years ago and does not drink alcohol. His pulse is 59/min, and his blood pressure is 135/75 mm Hg. Physical examination reveals 1+ lower extremity edema. Cardiac and pulmonary auscultation show no abnormalities. There is no lymphadenopathy. His laboratory studies show a hemoglobin of 13.2 g/dL and serum protein of 10.1 g/dL. ECG shows known Q wave abnormalities unchanged since the last ECG one year ago. A serum protein electrophoresis with immunofixation is shown. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step to establish the diagnosis?
ARectal biopsy
BEchocardiography
CWhole-body CT scan
DUrine dipstick
EBone densitometry
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