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Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

May 12, 2023 • 9 tweets • 5 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. 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

ECG Changes w/ Acute Pericarditis:
- Also affects the repolarization of the atria (PR segment)
- Leads to atrial current of injury with elevation in PR segment in aVR and depression of PR segment in other extremity / left-sided chest leads
- Can have T-wave inversions

Pericardial Effusion:
- Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac, can be due to pericarditis
- Other causes: myxedema (hypothyroidism), or rupture of heart (VSD)
- Can lead to cardiac tamponade: drop in SBP leading to PEA activity

Pericardial Effusion ECG:
- Can see low QRS voltages (<5-mm in the 6 extremity leads or < 10-mm in the chest leads V1-V6)
- Low voltage: Obesity (fat around heart), emphysema (air insulates heart), anasarca (generalized edema), pleural effusions
- Electrical alternans

Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis:
- Some conditions cause pericardial inflammation and can lead to fibrosis and calcification of the pericardial sac (cardiac surgery, trauma, infections, TB, viral infections, connective tissue diseases, sarcoid, uremia, and asbestosis)

Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis:
- Can present with HF, elevated neck veins/ascites. Can be mistaken for liver cirrhosis.
- Treatment: Pericardiectomy ('surgical stripping' of the pericardium to decrease intra-cardiac pressures.

** Not to use for clinical care, just educational material**

Thanks to these websites/journals for amazing graphics!

gfycat.com/gifs/search/ta…
litfl.com/pericarditis-e…
litfl.com/ecg-findings-i…
j-pcs.org/article.asp?is…

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More from @akhadilkarMD

Arjun Khadilkar, MD

@akhadilkarMD

Jul 15, 2024

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, 2024

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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