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Question 1
Correct
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In cardiac muscle, which of the following is directly responsible for the release of Ca2+ stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (calcium-induced calcium release)?
Your Answer: Ryanodine receptor (RyR)
Explanation:Ryanodine receptor (RyR) is a ligand-gated Ca2+ channel with Ca2+ as its natural ligand. In skeletal muscle, Ca2+ entry from ECF by this route is not required for Ca2+ release. Instead, the DHPR that serves as the voltage sensor unlocks release of Ca2+ from the nearby SR via physical interaction with the RyR. The release is amplified through ca-induced ca release. However, in cardiac muscle, it is the influx of extracellular Ca2+ through the voltage-sensitive DHPR in the T system that triggers ca-induced ca release trough the RyR at the SR.
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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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Cholinergic vagal supply to the SA and AV nodes results in slowing of the heart rate via:
Your Answer: M2 muscarinic receptors
Explanation:M2 muscarinic receptors are the receptors for the parasympathetic system to the SA and the AV node.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 4
Incorrect
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Question 5
Correct
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Question 6
Correct
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Which of the following intercellular connections is important in endothelial barrier function?
Your Answer: Tight junctions
Explanation:Tight junctions surround the apical margins of the epithelial cells such as in the intestinal mucosa and the choroid plexus. They are also important to the endothelial barrier function. They are made up of ridges that adhere to each other strongly at the cell junction, obliterating the space completely between the cells.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 7
Incorrect
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Which is the most common site for primary cardiac tumours to occur in adults?
Your Answer: Right atrium
Correct Answer: Left atrium
Explanation:Myxomas are the most common type of primary heart tumour. The tumour is derived from multipotential mesenchymal cells and may cause a ball valve-type obstruction. About 75% of myxomas occur in the left atrium of the heart, usually beginning in the wall that divides the two upper chambers of the heart.
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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 statements is true regarding pulsus alternans?
Your Answer: It is associated with right ventricular failure
Correct Answer: It is found in association with a third heart sound
Explanation:Pulsus alternans is a physical finding with arterial pulse waveform showing alternating strong and weak beats. It is almost always indicative of left ventricular systolic impairment, and carries a poor prognosis. A pathological third heart sound is usually associated.
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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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Why is the sub-endocardial portion of the left ventricle the most common site for ischaemic damage and myocardial infarction?
Your Answer: No blood flow occurs during systole
Explanation:The subendocardium receives the least amount of blood from the coronary arteries. During systole the coronary arteries collapse as a result of the pressure due to contraction that is exerted on them. During diastole the heart muscle relaxes and the pressure on the coronary vessels is relieved allowing blood to flow through them to the subendocardium.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 10
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 11
Correct
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Which one of the following have not been shown to improve mortality in patients with chronic heart failure?
Your 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 12
Incorrect
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Which is the commonest cardiovascular abnormality seen in an adult patient with Marfan’s syndrome?
Your Answer: Aortic dissection
Correct Answer: Aortic aneurysm
Explanation:Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a genetic disorder of connective tissue. The degree to which people are affected varies. People with Marfan’s tend to be tall, and thin, with long arms, legs, fingers and toes. They also typically have flexible joints and scoliosis. The most serious complications involve the heart and aorta with an increased risk of mitral valve prolapse and aortic aneurysm.
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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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Question 14
Correct
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Which of the following conditions has no effect on cardiac output?
Your Answer: Sleep
Explanation:Sleep has no effect on the cardiac output. Anxiety, excitement and pregnancy will increase the cardiac output. Standing from a lying position will decrease the cardiac output transiently.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 15
Incorrect
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Regarding cardiac output, an increased ejection fraction results from increases in which of the following?
Your Answer: Strength of contraction with increase in muscle fiber length
Correct Answer: Strength of contraction without increase in muscle fiber length
Explanation:When the strength of contraction increases without an increase in fiber length, the EF increases.
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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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Xanthines (for example Caffeine), exhibit their positive inotropic effect by:
Your Answer: Stimulation of b1-adrenergic receptors
Correct Answer: Inhibiting the breakdown cAMP
Explanation:Xanthines exert their positive inotropic effect by inhibiting the breakdown of the cAMP resulting in stronger and sustained contraction.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 17
Correct
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The following products of the vascular endothelium produce vasodilation except:
Your Answer: Endothelin
Explanation:Endothelin: This is incorrect in the context of vasodilation. Endothelin is actually a potent vasoconstrictor produced by the endothelium, leading to the narrowing of blood vessels and increased blood pressure.
Nitrous oxide (Nitric oxide): This is correct for vasodilation. Nitric oxide is a powerful vasodilator produced by the endothelium, which helps relax and widen blood vessels.
Prostacyclin: This is correct for vasodilation. Prostacyclin (PGI2) is a vasodilator and inhibits platelet aggregation, helping to maintain blood flow and reduce clot formation.
Endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF): This is correct for vasodilation. EDHF causes vasodilation by hyperpolarizing the smooth muscle cells of blood vessels.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): This is correct for vasodilation. VEGF primarily promotes the growth of new blood vessels but also has vasodilatory effects through nitric oxide production.
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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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The internodal tract of Bachman:
Your Answer: Connects the SA node to the AV node
Explanation:Internodal tract of Bachman connects the SA node to the AV node conducting the electrical impulses generated from the SA node to the AV node and from the AV node to the rest of the electrical complex of the heart.
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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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Blood flow to the subendocardial portions of the left ventricular muscle occurs mainly during:
Your Answer: Diastole
Explanation:The sub endocardium receives the least amount of blood from the coronary arteries. During systole the coronary arteries collapse as a result of the pressure from contraction that is exerted on them. During diastole the heart muscle relaxes and the pressure on the coronary vessels is relieved allowing blood to flow through them to the sub endocardium.
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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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The positive inotropic effect of digoxin is due to?
Your 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 21
Correct
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Why does arterial blood pressure drop during pregnancy?
Your Answer: Progesterone relaxes vascular smooth muscle
Explanation:Progesterone relaxes vascular smooth muscle thus resulting In a decrease in total peripheral resistance. This accounts for the increase in the cardiac output.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 22
Correct
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When the heart rate is increased (to pathological levels) which of the following is correct when comparing the duration of diastole to systole?
Your Answer: It is shortened to a greater degree
Explanation:The duration of systole is more fixed than the duration of diastole. When the heart rate increases the timing of the systole remains more or less the same however diastole decreases.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 23
Incorrect
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Which of the following affects the magnitude of the action potential?
Your Answer: The amount of intracellular Ca2+
Correct Answer: Changes in the external Na+ concentration
Explanation:The magnitude of the action potential is determined by the sodium current. Increase in external sodium will result in increased influx of sodium and hence generation of a stronger action potential.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 24
Incorrect
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Which of the following causes an increase in venous return?
Your Answer: A decrease in the normal negative intra-thoracic pressure
Correct 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 25
Incorrect
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Question 26
Correct
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What is a characteristic findings on ECG in hyperkalaemia?
Your Answer: Tall, tented T waves
Explanation:Hyperkalaemia leads to:
– Prolonged PR interval
– Small P waves
– Tall, tented T waves
– Widened QRS complexes and eventually asystole.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 27
Correct
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Transport of Ca2+ into the reticulum to initiate cardiac muscle relaxation in via:
Your Answer: Serca (sarcoplasmic or endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase)
Explanation:Phosphorylation of phospholamban, which increases calcium ATPase activity and sequestration of calcium in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. An increased rate of relaxation is explained because cAMP also activates the protein phospholamban, situated on the membrane of the SR, that controls the rate of uptake of calcium into the SR. The latter effect explains enhanced relaxation (lusitropic effect).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 28
Correct
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What is the most common cardiac defect seen in patients with Down’s syndrome?
Your Answer: Atrioventricular septal defect
Explanation:The rate of congenital heart disease in new-borns with Down syndrome is around 40%. Of those with heart disease, about 80% have an atrioventricular septal defect or ventricular septal defect with the former being more common. Mitral valve problems become common as people age, even in those without heart problems at birth.[3] Other problems that may occur include tetralogy of Fallot and patent ductus arteriosus.[38] People with Down syndrome have a lower risk of hardening of the arteries
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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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Which of the following is a method for measurement of cardiac output?
Your Answer: Indicator dilution method
Explanation:There are two methods of calculating the cardiac output in humans other than doppler with echocardiography: The direct Fick’s method and the indicator dilution method. In the indicator dilution technique, a known amount of a substance such as a dye or, more commonly, a radioactive isotope is injected into an arm vein and the concentration of the indicator in serial samples of arterial blood is determined. The output of the heart is equal to the amount of indicator injected divided by its average concentration in arterial blood after a single circulation through the heart.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 30
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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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
