Hu Said: Cardiology Board Review Series

In this episode, we review long-term medication therapy for CAD, including medications used post-myocardial infarction (MI) and medications used for anginal symptom relief in unrevascularizable CAD. …

In this episode, we explore the role of antiplatelets and anticoagulants in managing acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). How many days off clopidogrel,…

In this episode, we explore the concepts in myocardial hibernation and stunning. What is the difference between myocardial stunning, hibernation, and scar? What is considered viable and what is not? …

In this episode, we review anatomic testing for coronary artery disease. When can you draw upon coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring to guide statin therapy? When can you use coronary CT angiography…

In this episode, we review the essentials of stress testing, including indications and contraindications of exercise and pharmacologic stress agents, features and pitfalls of imaging-based stress, an…

In this episode, we review the presentation of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and the Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (MI). What is the difference between myocardial injury, isch…

In this episode, we review ECG changes in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). What constitutes a significant vs a non-significant Q wave? Can the shape of the curve of the ST elevation or depression offe…

In this episode, we review apolipoproteins, Lp(a), and familial dyslipidemias. What roles do apolipoproteins like ApoB48, ApoB100 and ApoA-I play in lipid transport and cardiovascular risk? Why is me…

In this episode, we review ASCVD risk estimation and lipid-lowering therapies. What low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level should be targeted for patients who have had an ASCVD event versu…

In this episode, we discuss common complications of pacemaker (PPM) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation, along with considerations at the end of life. What are the risks of …

In this episode, we clarify key terms related to pacemakers (PPMs) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). What do the common two-letter labels AR, VR, AS, VS, AP, VP, FD, TD, TP, CD, RV,…

In this episode, we explore the concept of ventricular dyssynchrony and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). What are the eleven scenarios in which CRT is recommended, according to the 2022 heart…

In this episode, we review the key aspects of ICD therapies. What are typical thresholds for a VT monitor zone, regular VT zone, fast VT zone, and VF zone? How is the number of intervals to detect (N…

In this episode, we explore the fundamentals of permanent pacemaker (PPM) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) interrogation. What are the most common pacing modes, and when are they used…

In this episode, we review QT prolongation and QT shortening. What is the QT interval, and how is it corrected (QTc) for heart rate variations? Which arrhythmogenic syndromes are associated with muta…

In this episode, we review arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and catecholaminergic polymorphic VT (CPVT). Other than epsilon waves at the end of QRS complexes, what other feature…

In this episode, we review Brugada Syndrome, syndrome of syncope and/or sudden death in healthy patients associated with mutations in SCN5A. How is Brugada pattern different from Brugada syndrome? Ho…

In this episode, we go over how to localize the origin of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). What clues on ECG allow you to distinguish VT coming from outflow…

In this episode, we explore the definitions, mechanisms, and management of ventricular tachycardia (VT). What is the significance of sustained vs non-sustained VT, and monomorphic vs polymorphic VT? …

In this episode, we delve into the mechanisms of arrhythmias, exploring the roles of abnormal automaticity, early afterdepolarizations (EADs), and delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs). What is the dif…