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Question 1
Incorrect
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The positive inotropic effect of digoxin is due to?
Your Answer: Stimulation of the β adrenergic receptors
Correct Answer: Inhibition of the sodium potassium ATPase in the myocardium
Explanation:Digitalis compounds are potent inhibitors of cellular Na+/K+-ATPase. This ion transport system moves sodium ions out of the cell and brings potassium ions into the cell. By inhibiting the Na+/K+-ATPase, cardiac glycosides cause the intracellular sodium concentration to increase. This then leads to an accumulation of intracellular calcium via the Na+/Ca++ exchange system. In the heart, increased intracellular calcium causes more calcium to be released by the sarcoplasmic reticulum, thereby making more calcium available to bind to troponin-C, which increases contractility (inotropy).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 2
Correct
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In a 30 year old male with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), which of the following is not associated with increased risk of sudden death?
Your Answer: Age
Explanation:Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease in which a portion of the myocardium (heart muscle) is enlarged without any obvious cause, creating functional impairment of the heart. It is the leading cause of sudden death in young athletes. The major risk factors for sudden death (SD) are recent unexplained syncope unlikely to be neurocardiogenic; HCM-related SD in first-degree or other close relatives; repetitive and/or prolonged nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) episodes on Holter or extended ambulatory monitoring; massive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (wall thickness ≥30 mm); extensive/diffuse late gadolinium enhancement (LGE); end-stage heart failure usually with systolic dysfunction; and thin-walled akinetic LV apical aneurysm with regional scarring.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 3
Correct
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Question 4
Correct
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Which of the following causes an increase in venous return?
Your Answer: An increase in the negative intra-thoracic pressure
Explanation:During inspiration, intrathoracic pressure becomes more negative and intra-abdominal pressure more positive. This increases the venous pressure gradient from abdomen to thorax and promotes filling of the central veins.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 5
Correct
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Which of the following structures is not part of the conducting system of the heart?
Your Answer: Ventricular wall
Explanation:The conduction system of the heart consists of the SA node, AV node, internodal pathway between these two nodes, Bundle of His and the purkinje fibers
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 6
Correct
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The Sinoatrial node in the majority of people is supplied by the?
Your Answer: Right coronary artery
Explanation:In 60% of people, the SA node is supplied by the right coronary artery branch and in 40% of the people by the left coronary artery.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 7
Correct
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Which coronary artery supplies the right atria?
Your Answer: Right coronary
Explanation:The left coronary artery distributes blood to the left side of the heart, the left atrium and ventricle, and the interventricular septum. The circumflex artery arises from the left coronary artery and follows the coronary sulcus to the left. Eventually, it will fuse with the small branches of the right coronary artery. The right coronary artery proceeds along the coronary sulcus and distributes blood to the right atrium, portions of both ventricles, and the heart conduction system.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 8
Incorrect
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Which of the following is first to rise following myocardial infarction?
Your Answer: Troponin I
Correct Answer: Myoglobin
Explanation:Myoglobin, is a sensitive indicator of muscle injury and is first to rise following MI within two hours but is nonspecific.Troponin and CK-MB both begin to rise approximately three hours after MI. The cardiac troponins T and I which are released within 4–6 hours of an attack of MI and remain elevated for up to 2 weeks, have nearly complete tissue specificity and are now the preferred markers for assessing myocardial damage.Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) begins to rise approximately 12 hours after MI.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 9
Correct
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In which organ will you find extremely porous sinusoidal capillaries, with discontinuous endothelium?
Your Answer: Liver
Explanation:The liver is the organ which contains sinusoidal capillaries with discontinuous endothelium. The brain, lungs and the intestine all contain continuous capillaries, however the kidney contains fenestrated capillaries to aid in filtration.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 10
Incorrect
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Which one of the following have not been shown to improve mortality in patients with chronic heart failure?
Your Answer: Nitrates and hydralazine
Correct Answer: Furosemide
Explanation:A number of drugs have been shown to improve mortality in patients with chronic heart failure:
- ACE inhibitors (SAVE, SOLVD, CONSENSUS)
- spironolactone (RALES)
- beta-blockers (CIBIS)
- hydralazine with nitrates (VHEFT-1)
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 11
Incorrect
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The AV Node:
Your Answer: Conduction is represented on the ECG by the QRS complex
Correct Answer: It decelerates impulses passing to the ventricles
Explanation:The action potentials in the sinoatrial (SA) and atrioventricular (AV) nodes are largely due to Ca2+, with no contribution by Na+ influx. The depolarization continues to conduct slowly through the atrioventricular (AV) node. The AV node is located in the right posterior portion of the interatrial septum. This is small and bean-shaped. The atrial conductive system is organized so that the cardiac impulse does not travel from the atria into the ventricles too rapidly; this delay allows the atria to empty before ventricular contraction begins. It is the AV node and its adjacent conductive fibers that delay this transmission into the ventricles. Conduction through the AV Node is represented on the ECG by the PR interval.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 12
Correct
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The triangle with the heart at its centre, using limb leads is called:
Your Answer: Einthoven
Explanation:The Einthoven triangle is formed by placing the limb leads on both the arms and on the left leg with the heart in the centre.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 13
Correct
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The basic unit of contraction in myocytes is:
Your Answer: Sarcomere
Explanation:Sarcomere is the organelle where calcium is stored to be released during contraction of the muscle. It is the basic unit of contraction in striated muscle fibers. As myocytes are also striated muscles, sarcomeres also forms the basic unit of contraction. The impulses travel along the membrane and via its interaction with the dihydropyridine receptors it releases the stored calcium.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 14
Correct
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Question 15
Incorrect
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In the cardiac cycle, all of the following are true except:
Your Answer: The left ventricular volume is maximal at the end of atrial systole
Correct Answer: Mitral valve is closed by contraction of papillary muscles
Explanation:Mitral valve is closed by contraction of papillary muscles: This statement is incorrect. The mitral valve closes due to the pressure difference between the left ventricle and the left atrium at the onset of ventricular systole. The papillary muscles contract to prevent prolapse of the valve into the atrium but do not cause the valve to close.
The left ventricular volume is maximal at the end of atrial systole: This statement is true. At the end of atrial systole, the atria have pushed the remaining blood into the ventricles, making the ventricular volume maximal (end-diastolic volume).
The left ventricular pressure is maximal just before the aortic valve opens: This statement is true. Left ventricular pressure peaks just before the aortic valve opens, as the ventricle contracts to overcome the pressure in the aorta.
The ejection fraction is about 55%: This statement is true. The ejection fraction, which is the percentage of blood ejected from the ventricles with each contraction, is typically around 55%.
The ‘a’ wave is due to atrial systole: This statement is true. The ‘a’ wave on the venous pressure curve corresponds to atrial systole, reflecting the increased pressure from atrial contraction.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 16
Incorrect
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Which of the following phases in depolarization and repolarization of cardiac muscle cells are caused by the inactivation of Na+ channels?
Your Answer: Phase 2 : plateau
Correct Answer: Phase 1 : rapid repolarization
Explanation:Phase 0 is caused by the sodium current. Voltage gated sodium channels open leading to the influx of sodium into the cardiac muscle cell. Phase 1 is the rapid transient repolarization phase which is caused by the inactivation of the voltage gated sodium channels and opening of the voltage gated potassium channels along with opening of the slow calcium channels. Phase 2 which is the plateau is caused by opening of the slow calcium channels. Phase 4 is caused by closing of the slow calcium channels and opening of the potassium channels leading to efflux of potassium leading to the establishment of the resting membrane potential.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 17
Incorrect
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Which of the following occurs during a Valsalva manoeuvre?
Your Answer: Forced inspiration against a closed glottis: no: forced expiration rather
Correct Answer: An initial rise in blood pressure
Explanation:The Valsalva maneuver involves forced expiration against a closed glottis. It has several phases, each affecting the cardiovascular system differently:
- Phase I: During the initial forced expiration against the closed glottis, there is a transient rise in intrathoracic pressure, which compresses the thoracic aorta and causes a brief increase in blood pressure.
- Phase II: Continued straining leads to decreased venous return to the heart, reducing cardiac output and causing a drop in blood pressure. This phase is characterized by a compensatory increase in heart rate.
- Phase III: Upon releasing the strain, there is a sudden drop in intrathoracic pressure, which momentarily decreases blood pressure.
- Phase IV: Blood pressure then rises rapidly as venous return to the heart is restored, leading to increased cardiac output. This is often followed by a reflex bradycardia (slow heart rate).
Given these phases, the most accurate statement about what occurs during the Valsalva maneuver is the initial rise in blood pressure (Phase I).
Other options explained:
- Forced inspiration against a closed glottis: Incorrect. The Valsalva maneuver involves forced expiration, not inspiration, against a closed glottis.
- Low intrathoracic pressures throughout: Incorrect. The Valsalva maneuver involves high intrathoracic pressures due to forced expiration.
- Disruption of autonomic function: Incorrect. The Valsalva maneuver affects autonomic function but does not disrupt it. Instead, it triggers autonomic responses to changes in blood pressure and heart rate.
- No change: Incorrect. The Valsalva maneuver causes significant changes in blood pressure and heart rate.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 18
Correct
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Which factor produced by the endothelium is responsible for the regulation of vascular cell growth?
Your Answer: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
Explanation:VEGF is produced by the endothelial cells and is the major growth factor responsible for causing vasculogenesis. Some isoforms of this growth factor also have a prominent role in formation of lymphatic vessels.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 19
Correct
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When observing a JVP, which of the following would lead to prominent v waves?
Your Answer: Tricuspid regurgitation
Explanation:The v wave corresponds to Venous filling when the tricuspid valve is closed and venous pressure increases from venous return. In Tricuspid regurgitation there is additional blood from the regurgitant flow and thus this leads to a more prominent V wave.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 20
Correct
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Regarding blood supply to the heart;
Your Answer: Coronary arteries fill as the heart relaxes
Explanation:The heart muscles acts like the skeletal muscle in the fact that it also compress the vessels during contraction. As the pressure in the ventricle is slightly greater than in the aorta the coronary vessels collapse during systole. Blood flows through them during the diastole phase of contraction.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 21
Correct
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Which of the following is NOT associated with the development of aortic regurgitation?
Your Answer: Dilated cardiomyopathy
Explanation:Aortic insufficiency, is often due to the aortic root dilation, which is idiopathic in over 80% of cases, but otherwise may result from aging, syphilitic aortitis, osteogenesis imperfecta, aortic dissection, Bechet’s disease, reactive arthritis and systemic hypertension. Additionally, aortic insufficiency has been linked to the use of some medications and other potential causes that affect the valve directly including Marfan’s syndrome, Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. In acute cases of aortic insufficiency, the main causes are infective endocarditis, aortic dissection or trauma. Dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with the development of mitral regurgitation, not aortic regurgitation
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 22
Incorrect
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All of the following are consistent with the indicator dilution method except---
Your Answer: Thermodilution is an example
Correct Answer: In thermodilution, the indicator used is warm saline
Explanation:In thermodilution, the indicator used is cold saline.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 23
Correct
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Myocardial contractility is improved by:
Your Answer: Caffeine
Explanation:Caffeine and other theophyllines breakdown cAMP and have a positive ionotropic effect on the heart. Drugs like quinidine, procainamide and conditions like hypoxia and hypercapnia decreases the contractility of the heart.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 24
Correct
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The direct determinants of cardiac output are
Your Answer: Stroke volume and heart rate
Explanation:Cardiac output is classically defined alongside stroke volume (SV) and the heart rate (HR) as:Cardiac Output [L/min] = Stroke Volume [L/beat] x Heart Rate [beats/min]
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 25
Correct
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Which of the following are responsible for the 4th heart sound?
Your Answer: Ventricular hypertrophy
Explanation:The fourth heart sound is not normally audible in a normal adult. It occurs as a consequence of ventricular hypertrophy. It is caused by filling of the ventricle in atrial systole.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 26
Correct
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The Wiebel-Palade body found in the endothelial cells is responsible for the production and release of which factor?
Your Answer: Von Willebrand factor
Explanation:Weibel-Palade bodies are the storage granules of endothelial cells, the cells that form the inner lining of the blood vessels and heart. They store and release two principal molecules, von Willebrand factor and P-selectin, and thus play a dual role in haemostasis and inflammation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 27
Incorrect
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Concerning surface anatomy, where is the base of the heart
Your Answer: 6th intercostal space mid clavicular line
Correct Answer: 2nd left costal to 3rd right costal cartilage
Explanation:The base of the heart, also known as the superior border of the heart corresponds to a line connecting the inferior border of the 2nd left costal cartilage to the superior border of the 3rd right costal cartilage.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 28
Incorrect
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Concerning coronary arteries, what is the net effect of B2 stimulation on the heart (e.g. Running athlete)?
Your Answer: Vasoconstriction directly
Correct Answer: Vasodilation via production of metabolites
Explanation:The coronary arterioles contain α-adrenergic receptors, which cause vasoconstriction, and β-adrenergic receptors, which cause vasodilation. Activity in the noradrenergic nerves to the heart and injections of norepinephrine cause coronary vasodilation. However, norepinephrine also increases the heart rate and the force of cardiac contraction, and the vasodilation is due to production of vasodilator metabolites in the myocardium secondary to the increase in its activity. As exercise has the same effect as sympathetic stimulation, it will result in vasodilation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 29
Correct
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Regarding cardiac contractility, catecholamines exert their inotropic effect via:
Your Answer: Β1-adrenergic receptors and gs
Explanation:Catecholamines exert their inotropic effect on the heart via the B1 adrenergic receptors and Gs, stimulating adenyl cyclase and increasing the production of cAMP.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 30
Correct
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Which of the following normally has a slow depolarizing “prepotential”?
Your Answer: Sinoatrial node
Explanation:There are 2 main types of action potentials (AP) in the heart, the slow response and the fast response:The slow response is initiated by the slow calcium-sodium channels, found in the SA node (which is the natural pacemaker of the heart) and the conduction fibers of the AV node.The fast response occurs in the atrial and ventricles muscle cells and the purkinje fibers.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
