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Question 1
Incorrect
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The rate of depolarization of the SA node membrane potential is modulated by the following:
Your Answer: Autonomic tone
Correct Answer: All of the above
Explanation:Rate of depolarization of the SA node is modulated by all of these.
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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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Where on the surface of the chest is the normal site of auscultation for the mitral area?
Your Answer: 4th left intercostal space in the mid-clavicular line
Explanation:The mitral valve is situated in the left 4th intercostal space just beneath the sternum, in the mid clavicular line.
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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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Where would one normally find venous valves?
Your Answer: Saphenous vein
Explanation:The intima of the limb veins is folded at intervals to form venous valves that prevent retrograde flow. There are no valves present in the very small veins, the great veins, or the veins in the brain and viscera.
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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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Water hammer pulse is found in:
Your Answer: Aortic stenosis
Correct Answer: Aortic insufficiency
Explanation:Watson’s water hammer pulse is the medical sign which describes a pulse that is bounding and forceful, rapidly increasing and subsequently collapsing, as if it were the sound of a water hammer that was causing the pulse. A water hammer was a Victorian toy in which a tube was half filled with fluid, the remainder being a vacuum. The child would invert and reinvert the tube; each time the impact of the fluid at each end would sound like a hammer blow. This is associated with increased stroke volume of the left ventricle and decrease in the peripheral resistance leading to the widened pulse pressure of aortic regurgitation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 5
Incorrect
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With regards to the cardiac cycle which of the following is true
Your Answer: Left atrial systole occurs before right atrial systole
Correct Answer: Right atrial systole occurs before left atrial systole: as below
Explanation:Cardiac cycle: The first event in the cycle is atrial depolarization (a P wave on the surface ECG) follows by RIGHT ATRIAL and then LEFT ATRIAL contraction. Ventricular activation (QRS) follows after a short interval (the PR interval). LEFT VENTRICULAR contraction starts shortly thereafter RIGHT VENTRICULAR contraction begins. At the end, the aortic valve closure is followed by pulmonary valve closure.
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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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A 27-year-old man presents with a regular tachycardia of 190 bpm. He is healthy and has no past medical history. Blood pressure and blood tests are all within normal parameters however the ECG confirms a narrow complex tachycardia. The tachycardia persists after giving IV adenosine 6mg. What should be the next step in management of this patient?
Your Answer: IV 12mg adenosine
Explanation:For narrow complex tachycardias with no compromise then vagal manoeuvres should be trialled first. The Valsalva manoeuvre should be the first vagal manoeuvre tried and works by increasing intra-thoracic pressure and affecting baroreceptors (pressure sensors) within the arch of the aorta. It is carried out by asking the patient to hold his/her breath while trying to exhale forcibly as if straining during a bowel movement. Adenosine, an ultra-short-acting AV nodal blocking agent, is indicated if vagal manoeuvres are not effective. Adenosine may be safely used during pregnancy. In adults the recommended first dose of intravenous adenosine is 6 mg. The dose is administered rapidly and then followed by a saline flush. Adenosine is only present in the circulation for about 5 seconds, so it is an excellent drug for diagnosis and treatment. If there was a response to adenosine but it was not long lasting, an additional dose of 12 mg of adenosine intravenously can be attempted. Doses greater than 12 mg are not recommended. If adenosine fails then Verapamil or a beta blocker can be used as alternatives. If the patient is hemodynamically unstable or other treatments have not been effective, synchronized electrical cardioversion may be used.
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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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The Plateau phase in myocyte action potentials does all of the following except:
Your Answer: It allows early reactivation of the myocytes
Explanation:The presence of the plateau in the action potential causes ventricular contraction to last as much as 15 times longer in cardiac muscle as in skeletal muscle. The plateau phase which follows is unique to myocytes and results from a small, but sustained inward calcium current through L-type calcium channels lasting 200-400 ms. This calcium influx is caused by a combined increase in permeability of the cell and especially the sarcolemmal membranes to calcium. This plateau (refractory) phase prevents early reactivation of the myocytes and directly determines the strength of contraction.
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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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Concerning S3, which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
Your Answer: AV valves are open
Correct Answer: Coincide with atrial contraction
Explanation:A third heart sound also called a ventricular gallop occurs at the beginning of diastole after S2 and is lower in pitch than S1 or S2 as it is not of valvular origin. The third heart sound is benign in youth, some trained athletes, and sometimes in pregnancy but if it re-emerges later in life it may signal cardiac problems, such as a failing left ventricle as in dilated congestive heart failure (CHF). S3 is thought to be caused by the oscillation of blood back and forth between the walls of the ventricles initiated by blood rushing in from the atria. The reason the third heart sound does not occur until the middle third of diastole is probably that during the early part of diastole, the ventricles are not filled sufficiently to create enough tension for reverberation. It may also be a result of tensing of the chordae tendineae during rapid filling and expansion of the ventricle. In other words, an S3 heart sound indicates increased volume of blood within the ventricle. An S3 heart sound is best heard with the bell-side of the stethoscope (used for lower frequency sounds). A left-sided S3 is best heard in the left lateral decubitus position and at the apex of the heart, which is normally located in the 5th left intercostal space at the midclavicular line. A right-sided S3 is best heard at the lower-left sternal border. The way to distinguish between a left and right-sided S3 is to observe whether it increases in intensity with inhalation or exhalation. A right-sided S3 will increase on inhalation, while a left-sided S3 will increase on exhalation.
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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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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 10
Correct
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How does pregnancy affect the cardiac output of a patient?
Your Answer: Increased cardiac output due to increase in heart rate and stroke volume
Explanation:Cardiac Output increases to a similar degree as the blood volume. During the first trimester cardiac output is 30-40% higher than in the non-pregnant state. Steady rises are shown on Doppler echocardiography, from an average of 6.7 litres/minute at 8-11 weeks to about 8.7 litres/minute flow at 36-39 weeks; they are due, primarily, to an increase in stroke volume (35%) and, to a lesser extent, to a more rapid heart rate (15%). There is a steady reduction in systemic vascular resistance (SVR) which contributes towards the hyperdynamic circulation observed in pregnancy
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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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Myocardium requires more oxygen to expel blood in:
Your Answer: A stenotic aortic valve
Explanation:In aortic valve stenosis, increased ventricular pressure Is needed to expel the blood into the aorta. Increased pressure means increased contractility hence increase O2 consumption by the heart muscles.
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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 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 13
Incorrect
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Which factors increase the end-diastolic volume?
Your Answer: Myocardial infarction
Correct Answer: Constriction of veins
Explanation:End diastolic volume is also known as preload. It is the amount of blood the heart contracts against. Constriction of veins will decrease venous pooling and increase venous return, hence increasing the end diastolic volume. Standing will increase venous pooling hence decreasing venous return and end diastolic volume. Raised intrapericardial pressure will also decrease venous return and hence end diastolic volume.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 14
Incorrect
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Adrenergic stimulation will lead to myocyte relaxation via the following mechanisms
Your Answer: Decreased the number of sarcomeres
Correct Answer: Increased phosphorylation of phosholamban
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 15
Incorrect
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The posterior aspect of the interventricular septum is supplied by:
Your Answer: A branch of the left coronary artery
Correct Answer: A branch of the right coronary artery
Explanation:The posterior aspect of the heart is supplied by the posterior interventricular artery which is a branch of the right coronary artery.
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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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Impulse conduction through the AV node is slow and depends on the action potential produced by which of the following.
Your Answer: Potassium flux
Correct Answer: Calcium flux
Explanation:The action potentials in the SA and AV nodes are largely due to Ca2+, with no contribution by Na+ influx.
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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 causes the closure of the ductus arteriosus during birth?
Your Answer: Increased levels of prostaglandins
Correct Answer: Reduced levels of prostaglandins
Explanation:Ductus arteriosus is kept open by the prostaglandin E2 which is a vasodilator. At birth the high levels of cyclooxygenase blocks the production of prostaglandins which results in the closure of the ductus arteriosus.
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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 T-tubular system in cardiac muscle is:
Your Answer: Transmits action potential from sarcolemma to the SR to allow for Ca2+ release into the cytoplasm
Explanation:Action potentials are transmitted to the fibrils of a fiber through the T tubule system. It triggers the release of Ca 2+ from the terminal cisterns. Depolarization of the T tubules activates the sarcoplasmic reticulum through the dihydropyridine receptors, which are voltage gated calcium channels.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 19
Incorrect
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Which one of the following is a risk factor for torsade de pointes?
Your Answer: Hypercalcaemia
Correct Answer: Hypothermia
Explanation:The following is a list of factors associated with an increased tendency toward torsades de pointes:- Hypokalaemia (low blood potassium)- Hypomagnesemia (low blood magnesium)- Hypocalcaemia (low blood calcium)- Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)- Heart failure- Left ventricular hypertrophy- Hypothermia- Subarachnoid haemorrhage- Hypothyroidism
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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 initial rapid depolarization in the action potential of cardiac muscle cells is due to:
Your Answer: Opening of voltage-gated Na+ channels
Explanation:The initial depolarization of the action potential in a cardiac muscle cell is due to the sodium current generated by opening of the voltage gated sodium channels leading to an influx of sodium ions into the cell and raising the membrane potential towards threshold.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 21
Incorrect
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A 55 year old cardiac patient is comfortable at rest but heavy housework results in fatigue, palpitations or dyspnoea. What New York Heart Association class best describes the severity of their disease?
Your Answer: NYHA Class III
Correct Answer: NYHA Class II
Explanation:New York Heart Association functional classification:
Class I: no limitation is experienced in any activities; there are no symptoms from ordinary activities.
Class II: slight, mild limitation of activity; the patient is comfortable at rest or with mild exertion.
Class III: marked limitation of any activity; the patient is comfortable only at rest.
Class IV: any physical activity brings on discomfort and symptoms occur at rest.
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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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Digoxin causes:
Your Answer: Na/k ATPase stimulation
Correct Answer: Increase in cytosolic calcium concentration
Explanation:Digoxin is a positive inotrope which inhibits NA/K ATPase, increases cardiac contractility and can cause hypokalaemia.
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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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Arterioles stemming from the coronary artery can also empty into the heart directly via the:
Your Answer: Arteriosinusoidal vessels
Explanation:Most of the venous blood returns to the heart via the coronary sinus and the anterior cardiac veins. Apart from these there are other vessels that drain directly into the heart chambers. They include arteriosinusoidal vessels, which connect the arterioles to the heart chambers. The thebesian veins drain the capillaries into the chambers and the arterioluminal vessels drain small arteries directly into the chambers.
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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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The coronary arteries supply which part of the heart’s subendocardial region exclusively in diastole?
Your Answer: All chambers of the heart ( all of the above if you want )
Correct Answer: Left ventricle
Explanation:It is only during diastole that the blood flows to the subendocardial portion of the left ventricle, as the heart muscle relaxes and the coronary arteries regain their patency.
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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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What is the function of the BK channel on the vascular smooth muscle membrane?
Your Answer: Initiates Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum
Correct Answer: Massive K+ efflux, increasing membrane potential, and shutting off the voltage gated Ca2+ channel
Explanation:BK channels, also known as large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels, play a critical role in regulating vascular smooth muscle tone. When BK channels open, they allow a large efflux of potassium ions (K+) out of the cell. This efflux of K+ causes the membrane potential to become more negative (hyperpolarization), which in turn leads to the closure of voltage-gated calcium channels. The closure of these calcium channels reduces the influx of calcium ions (Ca2+) into the smooth muscle cells, resulting in decreased intracellular calcium levels and subsequent relaxation of the smooth muscle.
Thus, BK channels promote smooth muscle relaxation by hyperpolarizing the membrane and reducing the activity of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 26
Incorrect
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Activation of baroreceptor reflex involves:
Your Answer: Increase in heart rate base of inhibition of the vagal cardiac motor neurons
Correct Answer: Short term regulation of systemic blood pressure
Explanation:Baroreceptors are found in the heart and the blood vessels. They are the carotid sinus and the aortic arch receptors and respond to the minute to minute change in the blood pressure i.e. a change in the pulsatile pressure and not to a change in the mean arterial pressure. If the pulse pressure decreases, the rate of firing of the receptors decreases, stimulating an increase in the heart rate and blood pressure. Mechanisms that regulate the long term blood pressure control include the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone mechanism.
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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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Regarding cardiac muscle contractility, the afterload refers to:
Your Answer: The degree of myocardial stretch before contraction
Correct Answer: The resistance against which blood is expected
Explanation:The afterload for the left ventricle is the aortic pressure. Hence it is this pressure that offers resistance against which the blood is to be expelled from the heart.
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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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Which of the following corresponds to an oblique line drawn from the sternal end of the left 3rd costal cartilage to the sternal end of the right 6th costal cartilage?
Your Answer: Inter-ventricular septum
Correct Answer: Atrio-ventricular (coronary) groove
Explanation:The AV groove corresponds to the right border of the heart. The right border corresponds to a line drawn from the 3rd right costal cartilage to the 6th right costal cartilage; this border is slightly convex to the right.
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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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The predominant receptors in the hearts conduction system are?
Your Answer: Β1
Explanation:All of the components of the intrinsic conduction system contain autorhythmic cells that spontaneously depolarize. In the absence of extrinsic neural or hormonal influences, the SA node pacing rate would be about 100 beats per minute (bpm). The heart rate and cardiac output, however, must vary in response to the needs of the body’s cells for oxygen and nutrients under varying conditions. In order to respond rapidly to changing requirements of the body’s tissues, the heart rate and contractility are regulated by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), hormones, and other factors. The ANS has two interacting systems: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
Sympathetic receptors: There are two types of adrenergic receptors: β and α. In the cardiovascular system there are β1, β2, α1, and α2 adrenergic receptors. β1 adrenergic receptors are expressed in the heart conduction system (in the SA node, AV node, and on atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes). The activation of β1 receptors increases heart rate (via the SA node), and contractility.
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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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What type of intercellular connection found between cardiac muscle fibers allow for the spread of excitation from one cell to another?
Your Answer: Desmosomes
Correct Answer: Gap junctions
Explanation:The cardiac muscles have gap junctions in-between the cells. They form low resistance passages, which allow ions to diffuse through every muscle fiber rapidly and result in the cardiac muscles functioning as a syncytium, without any protoplasmic bridges involved.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
