Cardiology Practice Questions

Q: Raised JVP that does not fall back is a characteristic feature of which condition?

Atrial fibrillation. ***Atrial fibrillation*** - In **atrial fibrillation**, the atria beat chaotically and irregularly, leading to an absence of coordinated atrial contraction [1]. - This results in a lack of measurable 'a' waves in the JVP, and the JVP waveform tends to be **regular without a distinct fall and rise**, reflecting continuous atrial pressure without proper emptying [1]. *Ventricular tachycardia* - While JVP can be elevated due to cardiac decompensation, **ventricular tachycardia** involves rapid, regular ventricular contractions, which would not typically cause a sustained JVP without a clear fall [3]. - The JVP often shows **cannon 'a' waves** in VA dissociation, as the right atrium contracts against a closed tricuspid valve. *Ventricular fibrillation* - **Ventricular fibrillation** is a medical emergency characterized by disorganized ventricular electrical activity, leading to immediate circulatory collapse [3]. - In this state, there is no effective cardiac output, and the patient is typically unconscious, making a JVP assessment less relevant and difficult to interpret in the context of a sustained JVP finding [3]. *Atrial flutter* - **Atrial flutter** typically presents with a regular, characteristic **"sawtooth" pattern** of atrial activity (JVP 'f' waves), and the JVP can show regular, rapid 'a' waves (flutter waves) that are often more prominent than normal [2]. - The JVP usually has a clear, albeit rapid, rise and fall pattern related to the atrial contractions [2].

Q: Which of the following conditions should not be considered if JVP rises on deep inspiration?

Atrial fibrillation. The phenomenon of JVP rising on deep inspiration is known as **Kussmaul's sign**, which is indicative of impaired right ventricular filling and is not typically associated with **atrial fibrillation**. In **complete heart block**, there is dissociation between atrial and ventricular contractions. This can lead to **cannon 'a' waves** in the JVP, which are large prominent 'a' waves caused by right atrial contraction against a closed tricuspid valve [1]. **Constrictive pericarditis** is characterized by a rigid pericardium that restricts diastolic filling of the right ventricle. This condition is a classic cause of **Kussmaul's sign**, where the JVP rises paradoxically during inspiration due to increased venous return that cannot be accommodated by the constricted ventricle. **Restrictive cardiomyopathy** involves impaired diastolic filling of the ventricles due to myocardial stiffness. It can also cause a paradoxical rise in JVP during inspiration (**Kussmaul's sign**) because the stiffened right ventricle cannot adequately accommodate the inspiratory increase in venous return.

Q: Which of the following is not a component of Jones criteria for diagnosing acute rheumatic fever?

Erythema nodosum. ***Erythema nodosum*** - **Erythema nodosum** is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction characterized by tender, red nodules, typically on the shins, but it is **not a major or minor criterion** in the Jones criteria for acute rheumatic fever. - While it can be associated with various inflammatory conditions, including streptococcal infections, its presence alone does not establish a diagnosis of **acute rheumatic fever (ARF)**. *Sydenham chorea* - **Sydenham chorea** is a major manifestation of ARF, characterized by involuntary, purposeless movements, and it is a key diagnostic criterion [1]. - It results from central nervous system involvement due to **autoimmune reaction** against basal ganglia. *Pancarditis* - **Pancarditis** (inflammation of all layers of the heart) is a major criterion for ARF, often leading to valvular damage, especially mitral stenosis [1]. - It can manifest as **pericarditis**, **myocarditis**, or **endocarditis** [1]. *Migratory polyarthritis* - **Migratory polyarthritis** is a major criterion for ARF, involving painful inflammation that moves from one joint to another. - It typically affects large joints such as the **knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists**.

Q: Continuous murmur is heard in?

Patent ductus arteriosus. ***Patent ductus arteriosus*** - A **continuous murmur** in PDA is often described as a **"machinery-like" murmur**, audible throughout systole and diastole [1]. - This murmur is caused by the continuous flow of blood from the higher-pressure aorta into the lower-pressure pulmonary artery [1]. *Tetralogy of Fallot* - The murmur associated with Tetralogy of Fallot is typically a **systolic ejection murmur** heard at the upper left sternal border [1]. - This murmur is due to pulmonary stenosis and is not continuous, as it is related to ventricular ejection [1]. *Ventricular septal defect* - A VSD typically presents with a **holosystolic murmur**, meaning it is heard throughout systole [1]. - The murmur in VSD is confined to systole and does not extend into diastole, distinguishing it from a continuous murmur [1]. *Atrial septal defect* - An ASD is typically associated with a **systolic ejection murmur** over the pulmonic area due to increased flow across the pulmonary valve [1]. - There may also be a **diastolic rumble** across the tricuspid valve, but neither of these is a continuous murmur [1].

Q: Which of the following is seen in mitral stenosis?

Diastolic murmur. ***Diastolic murmur*** - **Mitral stenosis** is characterized by a narrowing of the mitral valve, impeding blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle during **diastole**. - This turbulent flow during ventricular filling produces a characteristic **diastolic murmur**, often described as a low-pitched, rumbling sound [1], [3]. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because **mitral stenosis** is indeed associated with a specific heart sound abnormality [1]. - The presence of a **diastolic murmur** is a hallmark physical finding in patients with mitral stenosis [1]. *Systolic murmur* - A **systolic murmur** is produced during ventricular contraction (systole), typically associated with **mitral regurgitation** or **aortic stenosis** [2]. - In **mitral stenosis**, the primary pathology is during diastole, making a systolic murmur less characteristic unless there's concomitant mitral regurgitation. *Loud S2* - A **loud S2** (second heart sound) can be heard in conditions like **pulmonary hypertension** or **systemic hypertension**. - While pulmonary hypertension can be a complication of severe **mitral stenosis** due to elevated left atrial pressure, a loud S2 is not the most direct or specific auscultatory finding for mitral stenosis itself; the distinct diastolic murmur is more characteristic [1].

Q: A patient after valve replacement will require follow up treatment with

Warfarin. ***Warfarin*** - Patients with **mechanical prosthetic heart valves** require lifelong anticoagulation with **warfarin** to prevent life-threatening thromboembolic complications [1]. - The target **international normalized ratio (INR)** typically ranges from 2.5 to 3.5, depending on the valve type and position. *ACE inhibitors* - **ACE inhibitors** are primarily used for managing **hypertension**, **heart failure**, and **renal protection**, not as routine post-valve replacement prophylaxis [2]. - While they may be used if these co-morbidities exist, they are not a universal requirement after valve surgery. *Beta blockers* - **Beta blockers** are often prescribed to control heart rate, manage **hypertension**, or reduce myocardial oxygen demand, but they are not the primary follow-up treatment for all valve replacement patients. - They do not address the critical need for **anticoagulation** in mechanical valve recipients. *Thiazide* - **Thiazide diuretics** are used to treat **hypertension** and **edema** by increasing salt and water excretion. - They do not play a direct role in preventing **thromboembolism** post-valve replacement and are not generally indicated unless chronic heart failure or hypertension is present.

Q: Which heart sound is almost always considered pathological?

S4. ***S4*** - An **S4 heart sound**, or **atrial gallop**, is almost always indicative of **pathology**, specifically a **stiff or non-compliant ventricle**. - It occurs due to vigorous atrial contraction forcing blood into a **non-compliant ventricle**, commonly seen in conditions like **hypertensive heart disease**, **aortic stenosis**, and **hypertrophic cardiomyopathy**. *S2* - **S2** represents the **closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves** and is a normal physiological heart sound [2]. - While it can be altered in pathology (e.g., fixed splitting, paradoxical splitting), the sound itself is a normal component of the cardiac cycle [1]. *S1* - **S1** represents the **closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves** and is a normal physiological heart sound [1]. - Variations in its intensity or splitting can occur in disease states, but the presence of S1 itself is normal. *S3* - An **S3 heart sound**, or **ventricular gallop**, can be a normal finding in **children**, **young adults**, and **pregnant individuals**, often referred to as a **physiological S3**. - However, in adults over 40, an S3 often indicates **ventricular dysfunction** due to rapid filling into a dilated ventricle [3], as seen in **heart failure** [1].

Q: Single heart sound (S2) is heard in:

Tetralogy of Fallot. ***Tetralogy of Fallot*** - A **single S2 heart sound** is characteristic of Tetralogy of Fallot due to the **pulmonary stenosis** (or atresia) which prevents the closure sound of the pulmonary valve from being heard [1]. - The single S2 heard is typically the **aortic component** (A2), as the pulmonary component (P2) is diminished or absent [1]. *Transposition of great vessels* - This condition is often associated with a **loud, single S2** because the aorta arises from the right ventricle, but a split S2 can occur if there is a large patent ductus arteriosus or ventricular septal defect. - The S2 is usually composed mainly of the **aortic component**, which is anteriorly placed. *Ebstein's anomaly* - Characterized by the downward displacement of the **tricuspid valve leaflets** into the right ventricle. - This typically results in a **wide, fixed splitting of S2** and can be associated with a gallop rhythm due to S3 and S4 sounds [2]. *TAPVC (Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection)* - TAPVC typically presents with a **widely split and fixed S2** due to increased blood flow through the pulmonary circulation. - When there is an obstruction, the P2 component can be louder, and a **gallop rhythm** might be present, but a single S2 is not a primary feature.

Q: On ECG, ST segment elevation is seen in all of the following conditions EXCEPT:

Hypocalcemia. ***Hypocalcemia*** - While hypocalcemia affects cardiac electrical activity by prolonging the **QT interval**, it is not typically associated with **ST segment elevation**. [3] - The primary ECG finding in hypocalcemia is a **prolonged ST segment**, which then leads to a prolonged QT interval, not an elevated ST segment. *Acute pericarditis* - Characteristically presents with **diffuse concave ST segment elevation** in many leads, often accompanied by **PR segment depression**. - This is due to inflammation of the pericardium affecting the epicardial layer of the myocardium. *Myocardial infarction* - **ST segment elevation** is a hallmark of an acute **ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)**, indicating transmural ischemia. [1], [2] - The location of ST elevation corresponds to the affected coronary artery and myocardial territory. [4] *Left ventricular aneurysm* - Can cause **persistent ST segment elevation** in the leads corresponding to the aneurysm, even after the acute phase of a myocardial infarction. - This persistent elevation is thought to be due to **dyskinetic or akinetic wall motion** and altered repolarization in the scarred tissue.

Question 1

A 43-year-old woman presents to her primary care provider with shortness of breath. She reports a 4-month history of progressively worsening difficulty breathing with associated occasional chest pain. She is a long-distance runner but has had trouble running recently due to her breathing difficulties. Her past medical history is notable for well-controlled hypertension for which she takes hydrochlorothiazide. She had a tibial osteosarcoma lesion with pulmonary metastases as a child and successfully underwent chemotherapy and surgical resection. She has a 10 pack-year smoking history but quit 15 years ago. She drinks a glass of wine 3 times per week. Her temperature is 98.6°F (37°C), blood pressure is 140/85 mmHg, pulse is 82/min, and respirations are 18/min. On exam, she has increased work of breathing with a normal S1 and loud P2. An echocardiogram in this patient would most likely reveal which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Right ventricular hypertrophy with a dilated pulmonary artery

Answer

Biventricular dilatation with a decreased ejection fraction

Answer

Left ventricular dilatation with an incompetent aortic valve

Answer

Left atrial dilatation with mitral valve stenosis

Answer

Left ventricular hypertrophy with a bicuspid aortic valve

Question 2

Raised JVP that does not fall back is a characteristic feature of which condition?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Ventricular fibrillation

Answer

Atrial flutter

Question 3

Which of the following conditions should not be considered if JVP rises on deep inspiration?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Complete heart block

Answer

Constrictive pericarditis

Answer

Restrictive cardiomyopathy

Question 4

Which of the following is not a component of Jones criteria for diagnosing acute rheumatic fever?

Accepted Answer

Erythema nodosum

Answer

Sydenham chorea

Answer

Pancarditis

Answer

Migratory polyarthritis

Question 5

Continuous murmur is heard in?

Accepted Answer

Patent ductus arteriosus

Answer

Tetralogy of fallot

Answer

Ventricular septal defect

Answer

Atrial septal defect

Question 6

Which of the following is seen in mitral stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Diastolic murmur

Answer

None of the options

Answer

Systolic murmur

Answer

Loud S2

Question 7

A patient after valve replacement will require follow up treatment with

Accepted Answer

Warfarin

Answer

ACE inhibitors

Answer

Beta blockers

Answer

Thiazide

Question 8

Which heart sound is almost always considered pathological?

Accepted Answer

S4

Answer

S2

Answer

S1

Answer

S3

Question 9

Single heart sound (S2) is heard in:

Accepted Answer

Tetralogy of Fallot

Answer

Transposition of great vessels

Answer

Ebstein's anomaly

Answer

TAPVC

Question 10

On ECG, ST segment elevation is seen in all of the following conditions EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Hypocalcemia

Answer

Acute pericarditis

Answer

Myocardial infarction

Answer

Left ventricular aneurysm

Cardiology — MCQs

Cardiology — MCQs

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