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Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

Jan 26, 2023 • 9 tweets • 4 min read • Read on X

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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

Conduction:
- Electromechanical coupling: release of calcium ions inside atrial and ventricular heart muscles
- Fastest conduction in Purkinje fibers; slowest in the AV node
- Failure of SA node to stimulate atria can lead to sick sinus syndrome or sinus node dysfunction

Benefits of EKG:
- Electrical disturbances (at AV junction, bundle branch block)
- Mechanical & Metabolic problems (myocardial infarction, electrolyte disorders, drug toxicity)
- Preventable catastrophes (prolonged QTc)

Baseline Resing Potential:

- Normal ‘resting’ myocardial cells (atrial and ventricular cells) are polarized (outside positive and inside net negative of -90 mV)

- Depolarization: Occurs from. Endocardium to epicardium

- Repolarization: Epicardium to the endocardium

Definitions:
- P-wave: Atrial Depolarization
- QRS: Ventricular Depolarization
- ST, T-wave, and U-wave: Ventricular Repolarization
-U-wave: Small deflection after T-wave, final phase of ventricular depolarization
- PR Interval: Time for stimulus through atrium & through AV

Definitions:
- Q-wave: Initial downward deflection
- R-wave: First positive deflection
-S-wave: First negative deflection after R-wave
-QS: Completely negative deflection
- QRS Width: Time to pass through the ventricles, should be < 0.10 seconds

Stay tuned for more threads. Let me know what you think!

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More from @akhadilkarMD

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

Jul 15

Pre-Rounding Tips 3d: How to think about Troponin? (
(Bookmark or Like/Retweet, will be high-yield for future reference)

If helpful, check out my other threads or join my newsletter (starting on Friday - 7/19/24) for more in-depth insights and Internal Medicine and Cardiology notes:

Pro-Tip: If you can print out a pre-rounding sheet with the labs auto-populated, that is always helpful.

Let's Dive in!
#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #cardiotwitterarjun-cardiology.ck.page/fec5d1458a

One of the most common consults from the Emergency Room to Cardiology is 'elevated troponin.'

Yes, elevated troponin can be scary, but here is the framework that I use to analyze / consider troponin.

1. Patient Presentation?
2. Patient's risk factors and prior cardiac history?
3. What is the troponin trend?
4. What does the ECG look like?
5. What are some non-cardiac reasons troponin may be elevated?

1. Patient Presentation?

In Cardiology, the clinical presentation is the most important part of the story when determining the significance of an elevated troponin! In many situations, clinical decisions (whether to pursue a LHC) may be made in the absence of having a troponin available.

Key Questions:
1. If the patient presents with chest pain, how does he/she describe it?
- Some common worrisome symptoms associated with angina. Elevated troponin in the setting of these symptoms should always be taken seriously.
a) Chest pressure, constant, sub-sternal.
b) Radiation of pain to the neck or jaw
c) Diaphoresis
d) Numbness to the left arm
e) New onset dyspnea
f) Worse with exertion, better with rest

2. What makes the pain better?
- If the patient got improvement with nitroglycerin more likely to be consistent with cardiac chest pain.
- If patient's pain improves with muscle relaxers, IV toradol, IV PPI, IV Ativan, less likely to be a cardiac etiology.

3. Has the patient had this type of pain before?
- If similar recent presentation with a negative work-up, this might be reassuring. However, you don't want to have anchor bias and should keep an open perspective.

Read 6 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

Jul 10

When I was an intern, pre-rounding was one of the most stressful parts of the day. I would take too long and be inefficient. Part 1.

Now as a PGY7 (long-time, right?), here is 3 parts of my system that I use for new patients.

If you liked this thread, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter in my bio.

On Twitter, I will provide a more condensed version for easier reading. In the email format, I will expand on my thoughts to provide more detailed insights. I will walk you through my thought process and make sure they are concise but helpful.

Future direction will be ECG/Echo/General Cardiology Topics!

#arjuncardiology #cardiotwitter #MedTwitter

1) Why is the patient here / chief concern?

- This seems like the most basic question that is often overlooked. What made the patient decide to leave his/her house to come to the hospital?

- When reading the overnight H&P, the abundance of clinical documentation can create confusion.

- Simplicity is key. What is the chief concern? Is it chest pain? Is it dyspnea on exertion? Knowing this information will help frame your thoughts.

2) What are the relevant past medical problems?

- Most patients will have chronic medical problems that will contribute to the current presentation.

- It is easy to get lost in the weeds of this presentation. In Cardiology, I typically focus on (but not limited to) coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, history of CVA. Again, this is not all inclusive but it is a start.

- Although patients may present to the hospital with a new diagnosis, it is more likely that the presentation may be an exacerbation of a previous problem.

Read 5 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

Jun 6, 2023

As an intern, chart checking new patients was intimidating and time-consuming.

Even as a cardiology fellow, I continue to refine my system.

Here are 7 tips and tricks to help you out!

#arjuncardiology #MedTwitter #MedEd #Cardiotwitter #IMG

Read 10 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

Jun 4, 2023

Studying for the IM Boards and Step 2 CK can be challenging.

Here are some of my notes that can help you.

Part #24: Ophthalmology : 5 High-yield facts!
#arjuncardiology #medtwitter #MedEd #IMG

Read 7 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

Jun 1, 2023

During my Internal Medicine training, I wrote 100s of History and Physicals (H&Ps).

Now as a Cardiology fellow, I read every single H&P for a new consult.

Here are 7 tips and tricks for effective H&Ps. #arjuncardiology #MedTwitter #MedEd #Cardiotwitter #IMG

Read 10 tweets

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

May 31, 2023

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

Read 7 tweets

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