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Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

Studying for medical exams can be challenging.

Here are some of my notes I used to study for the IM Boards. Also high-yield for Step 2 CK!

Part #23: Dermatology: 5 High-yield facts! #arjuncardiology #medtwitter #MedEd #IMG

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Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

Studying for medical exams can be challenging.

Here are some of my notes I used to study for the IM Boards. Also high-yield for Step 2 CK!

Part #22: Dermatology: 5 High-yield facts! #arjuncardiology #medtwitter #MedEd #IMG

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Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

In order to become a sub-specialist, it is important to first be a good internist!

Here are some of my notes I used to study for the Internal Medicine Boards.

Part #1: 7 High-yield facts!
#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #MedEd #IMG

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Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

One of the most important diagnostic tests in Cardiology to interpret is the EKG. Here are my thoughts and notes. Let me know what you think!

Thread #19: Pericarditis

#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #CardioTwitter #MedEd #IMG

Acute Pericarditis:
- Inflammation of the pericardium
- May be caused by number of factors: viral/bacterial infection, metastatic tumors, collagen vascular diseases, MI, cardiac surgery, and uremia

ECG Changes w/ Acute Pericarditis:
- Early phase is characterized by ST segment elevation, due to inflammation of the epicardium, which accompanies inflammation of the overlying pericardium
- Can have generalized ST-T changes in both anterior and inferior leads

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Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

One of the most important diagnostic tests in Cardiology to interpret is the EKG. Here are my thoughts and notes.

Let me know what you think!

Thread #18: Electrolyte Abnormalities #arjuncardiology #medtwitter #CardioTwitter #MedEd #IMG

Hyperkalemia:
- Distinctive sequence of ECG changes affecting both depolarization (QRS) and repolarization (ST-T)
- First change: Narrowing and peaking of T-waves ('tented' or 'pinched' shape) and can become tall

Hyperkalemia:
- Further elevation: PR intervals become prolonged, P-waves may disappear. Will have intra-ventricular conduction delay, with widening of QRS complexes.
- Can lead to large, undulating (sine wave) pattern with asystole and cardiac death

Read 11 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

One of the most important diagnostic tests in Cardiology to interpret is the EKG.

Here are my thoughts and notes. Will continue to this thread. Let me know what you think!

Thread #13: Inferior, Posterior, RV Infarction

#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #CardioTwitter #MedEd #IMG

Inferior Wall Infarction:
- Diaphragmatic portion of the LV
- Will see changes in leads II, III, and aVF
- May produce abnormal Q-waves in these leads
- Generally caused by occlusion of the RCA; less commonly can occur with a left circumflex coronary obstruction

Posterior Infarction:
- Occurs on the posterior (back) surface of the LV
- May be difficult to diagnose because characteristic abnormal ST elevations may no appear in any of the 12 conventional leads
- Tall R-waves and ST depressions can occur in V1 and V2

Read 7 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

One of the most important diagnostic tests in Cardiology to interpret is the EKG.

Here are my thoughts and notes. Will continue to this thread. Let me know what you think!

Thread #12: Q-waves

#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #CardioTwitter #MedEd #IMG

Q-wave:
- Can occur in any lead; indicates that the electrical voltages are directed away from that particular lead
- With a transmural infarction, necrosis of heart muscle occurs in a localized area of the ventricle
- New Q-waves usually appear within first day of MI

Anterior Wall MI:
- Can see loss of normal R-wave progression in the chest leads (normally should have a progression of height of R-waves from V1-V6)
- In antero-septal infarct, will lose small r waves in V1-V2 (septal depolarization from left to right) and have QS in V1-V2

Read 7 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

One of the most important diagnostic tests in Cardiology to interpret is the EKG.

Here are my thoughts and notes. Will continue to this thread. Let me know what you think!

Thread #11: Myocardial Ischemia

#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #CardioTwitter #MedEd #IMG

Myocardial Ischemia:
- One of the most important things to evaluate on EKG
- If severe narrowing/complete blockage of a coronary artery causes blood flow to become adequate, ischemia of the heart muscle develops
- Can be transient (angina pectoris) or more severe (necrosis & MI)

Myocardial Ischemia
- LV consists of an outer layer (epicardium/sub-epicardium) and inner layer (sub-endocardium)
- Can have limit of ischemia to the inner layer or can affect the entire thickness of the ventricular wall (transmural ischemia)

Read 8 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

One of the most important diagnostic tests in Cardiology to interpret is the EKG.

Here are my thoughts and notes. Will continue to this thread. Let me know what you think!

Thread #10: Fascicular Blocks

#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #CardioTwitter #MedEd #IMG

Fascicular Blocks:
- Left bundle branch system: sub-divided into an anterior & posterior fascicle.

- Hemi-block does not widen the QRS complex markedly (compared to a RBBB or LBBB)

Left Anterior Fascicular Block (LAFB):
- Diagnosed by finding of a left axis deviation (-45 degrees or more negative)
- Delayed activation of more superior & leftward position of the LV
- Isolated finding is non-specific; can be seen w/ HTN, AV disease, CAD, and aging

Read 9 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

One of the most important diagnostic tests in Cardiology to interpret is the EKG.

Here are my thoughts and notes. Will continue to this thread. Let me know what you think!

Thread #9: Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB)

#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #CardioTwitter #MedEd #IMG

LBBB:
- Similar to a RBBB, produces a wide QRS and affects the early phase of depolarization
- Septum will depolarize from (right to left; instead of normal left to right).
- Will see the loss of septal r-wave in V1 and septal q-wave in V6

LBBB:
- V1: Negative QRS complex b/c the LV is still electrically predominant (initial depolarization is negative and remains negative in the right-sided chest lead) (W-shape)
- V6: Entirely positive R-wave ('M'- Pattern)

Read 6 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

One of the most important diagnostic tests in Cardiology to interpret is the EKG.

Here are my thoughts and notes. Will continue to this thread. Let me know what you think!

Thread #8: Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB)

#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #CardioTwitter #MedEd #IMG

Ventricular Conduction:
- Normal electrical stimulus reaches ventricles from the atria through the AV node & His-Purkinje systems
- First part of heart to be depolarized is the left-side of the septum; then spreads to RV and LV by right & left bundles
- Normal QRS < 0.10 sec

RBBB:
- 1st phase of depolarization: Left side of septum is stimulated first (branch of left bundle); on a normal ECG produces a septal r-wave in V1 and small septal q-wave in V6. No impact with RBBB.

- 2nd phase: Simultaneous depolarization of LV and RV. No impact with RBBB.

Read 7 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

One of the most important diagnostic tests in Cardiology to interpret is the EKG.

Here are my thoughts and notes. Will continue to this thread. Let me know what you think!

Thread #7: Ventricular Hypertrophy

#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #CardioTwitter #MedEd #IMG

Atrial and Ventricular Enlargement:
- Both dilation & hypertrophy usually result in chronic pressure and volume overload on the heart muscle

- Pathological hypertrophy & dilation are often accompanied by fibrosis (scarring); can lead to arrhythmias and heart failure.

Right Ventricular Hypertrophy:
- Right chest leads show tall R-waves
- R-wave > S-wave in V1 is suggestive; not diagnostic of RVH
- Can see right-axis deviation and T-wave inversions in the right & mid-precordial leads
- RV hypertrophy can lead to variations in repolarization

Read 9 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

One of the most important diagnostic tests in Cardiology to interpret is the EKG.

Here are my thoughts and notes. Will continue to this thread. Let me know what you think!

Thread #6: Atrial Abnormality

#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #CardioTwitter #MedEd #IMG

Right Atrial Abnormality (RAA):
- Overload of RA (dilation/ hypertrophy) may increase P-wave voltage

- Normal P-wave < 2.5 mm amplitude and < 0.12 seconds in width

- Tall, narrow P-waves: characteristic of RAA and can be best seen in II, III, aVF

Read 7 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

One of the most important diagnostic tests in Cardiology to interpret is the EKG.

Here are my thoughts and notes. Will continue to this thread. Let me know what you think!

Thread #5: Axis Deviation

#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #CardioTwitter #MedEd #IMG

QRS Axis:
- General direction in the frontal plane towards which the QRS complex is predominantly pointed

- General rule: Mean QRS points mid-way b/w any 2 leads that show tall R-wave of equal height

- If depolarization is perpendicular to any lead, will see biphasic complex

Axis Deviation:
- For most people, the axis lies between -30 and + 100 degrees

- Left axis: < -30 degrees, lead II rS pattern (S-wave deeper than R-wave is tall)

- Right axis: > +100 degrees (R-wave in III > II)

Read 6 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

One of the most important diagnostic tests in Cardiology to interpret is the EKG.

Here are my thoughts and notes. Will continue to this thread. Let me know what you think!

Thread #4: ECG Segments

#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #CardioTwitter #MedEd #IMG

General Principles:
- Positive deflection: wave of depolarization towards positive pole of that lead
- Negative deflection: wave of depolarization towards negative pole of that lead
- Biphasic deflection: wave of depolarization is perpendicular to a lead

Normal Sinus P-wave:
- Atrial depolarization that marks spontaneous depolarization of pacemakers cells in the right atrium
- Should be negative P-wave in aVR and upright in lead II
- Can communicate 'sinus rhythm with 1:1 AV conduction'

Read 7 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

One of the most important diagnostic tests in Cardiology to interpret is the EKG.

Here are my thoughts and notes. Will continue to this thread. Let me know what you think!

Thread #3: ECG Leads

#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #CardioTwitter #MedEd #IMG

ECG Leads:
- Body act as a conductor of electricity; the recording electrodes in the arms, legs, and chest wall show the differences in voltage (potential) among electrodes
- Different views of the same event leads to different ECG patterns

ECG Limb Leads:
- 6 Limb leads (extremity leads) and 6 chest (precordial)
- 3 bipolar limb leads: I, II, III
- 3 augmented unipolar: aVR, aVL, and aVF
- 6 precordial leads: V1-V6

Read 7 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

One of the most important diagnostic tests in Cardiology to interpret is the EKG.

Here are my thoughts and notes. Will continue to this thread. Let me know what you think!

#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #CardioTwitter #MedEd #IMG

Conduction System:
- SA node (pacemaker cells) have specialized conduction tissue
- SA node is located in the RA near the opening of the SVC
- Stimulation occurs from right atrium to left atrium
- Simultaneous atrial contractions allows for blood filling into LV and RV

Conduction:
- AV Junction: Located at the base of the inter-atrial septum and extends into the inter-ventricular septum; the proximal portion is the AV node and distal portion is bundle of His
- Left & Right Bundle branches depolarize the myocardium via Purkinje fibers

Read 9 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

As a Cardiology fellow, we get a lot of consults for hypertensive urgency/emergency.

Part 4: Clinical Consequences of Hypertensive Urgency/Emergency

-thread 🧵-

#arjuncardiology #MedTwitter #Cardiotwitter #IMG #MedEd

1) Hypertensive Encephalopathy
- Cerebral edema is induced by markedly elevated blood pressures
- Dysregulation of auto-regulatory capabilities of the brain
- Characterized by headache, irritability, and altered mental status
- Treatment of choice: Nitroprusside/Labetalol

2) Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (PRES)
- MRI may reveal white matter edema in the parito-occipital regions

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Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

As a Cardiology fellow, we get a lot of consults for hypertensive urgency/emergency.

Part 3B: Therapy

-thread 🧵-

#arjuncardiology #MedTwitter #Cardiotwitter #IMG #MedEd

Fenoldopam:
- Used mainly by anesthesiologists to control BP intra-operatively
- Selective peripheral dopamine-1 receptor agonist approved for the management of severe HTN
- Arterial vasodilator w/ relatively short half-life
- Contraindicated w/ glaucoma b/c can raise ICP

Nicardipine:
- Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that inhibits vascular smooth muscle contraction
- Little to no activity on the AV or sinus node
- Does not raise ICP and reduces cerebral ischemia
- Contraindicated w/ advanced HF, acute MI, and renal failure

Read 8 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

As a Cardiology fellow, we get a lot of consults for hypertensive urgency/emergency.

Part 3A: Therapy

-thread 🧵-

#arjuncardiology #MedTwitter #Cardiotwitter #IMG #MedEd

Therapy:
- The presence of acute/rapidly progressive end-organ damage and not the absolute BP determines whether the situation is an emergency
- Goals should be based on mean arterial pressure (MAP) with close monitoring in ICU setting with arterial line

Therapy:
- In general, should reduce no more than 25% of MAP in the first 24 hours; after this time will be more gradual and allow auto-regulatory mechanisms to reset
- Exceptions: more aggressive BP reduction in aortic dissection, post-operative bleeding, and pulmonary edema

Read 11 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

As a Cardiology fellow, we get a lot of consults for hypertensive urgency/emergency.

Part 2: Etiology, Presentation, Diagnosis

-thread 🧵-

#arjuncardiology #MedTwitter #Cardiotwitter #IMG #MedEd

Etiology:
- 30-40% with hypertensive crisis have an identifiable underlying cause
- Should evaluate for secondary causes
- Common scenario: Inadequate treatment/medication non-compliance
- Risk factors: Male, low socioeconomic, tobacco use, oral OCP use

Underlying Contributing Pathology:
- Renal parenchymal disease
- Renovascular HTN
- Collagen vascular disease
- Scleroderma
- Vasculitis
- Pre-eclampsia
- Untreated OSA

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