FlashKeepers

Cardiology · USMLE Step 1

USMLE Cardiology: Valvular Heart Disease

Valvular heart disease pathophysiology and hemodynamic consequences tested on USMLE Step 1, deeper than the auscultation focus of the murmurs and heart sounds deck.

35 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.

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In patients over 65, what is the most common cause of aortic stenosis?
Calcific (degenerative) aortic valve disease
In patients under 65, what is the most common cause of aortic stenosis?
Bicuspid aortic valve
What type of left ventricular hypertrophy results from the chronic pressure overload of aortic stenosis?
Concentric hypertrophy
What carotid pulse finding is classic for severe aortic stenosis?
Pulsus parvus et tardus (weak and delayed upstroke)
The classic symptom triad of severe aortic stenosis is angina, ____, and heart failure.
syncope
Why does severe aortic stenosis cause exertional syncope?
Fixed cardiac output cannot rise to match exercise-induced peripheral vasodilation, causing cerebral hypoperfusion
Why does severe aortic stenosis cause angina even without coronary artery disease?
LV hypertrophy raises myocardial oxygen demand while high intraventricular pressure lowers coronary perfusion pressure
Roughly what is the average survival after a patient with aortic stenosis develops heart failure symptoms, without valve replacement?
About 2 years
What type of left ventricular change results from the chronic volume overload of aortic regurgitation?
Eccentric hypertrophy (ventricular dilation)
What is the rapidly rising and suddenly collapsing pulse of severe aortic regurgitation called?
Corrigan pulse (water-hammer pulse)
What is the head-bobbing sign seen with each heartbeat in severe aortic regurgitation called?
de Musset sign
Besides bicuspid aortic valve, what connective tissue disorder causing aortic root dilation can lead to aortic regurgitation?
Marfan syndrome
Why is acute aortic regurgitation poorly tolerated compared to chronic aortic regurgitation?
The LV has no time to dilate and compensate, so LV diastolic pressure rises rapidly, causing pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock
What is the most common cause of mitral stenosis worldwide?
Rheumatic heart disease
How does mitral stenosis predispose to atrial fibrillation?
Elevated left atrial pressure causes left atrial enlargement, which promotes atrial fibrillation

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