Gross and microscopic pathology of the cardiovascular system, including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction stages, and valve disease, one finding per card. Original cards testing the underlying concepts, distinct from the general USMLE Cardiology overview deck.
40 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What is the earliest grossly visible lesion in atherosclerosis?
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Fatty streak- What cell type predominates in a fatty streak?
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Lipid-laden macrophages (foam cells)- What is considered the initiating event in atherogenesis?
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Chronic endothelial injury and dysfunction- Which cells migrate from the media into the intima and proliferate to form an atherosclerotic plaque's fibrous cap?
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Smooth muscle cells- What two components make up the fibrous cap of an atherosclerotic plaque?
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Smooth muscle cells and collagen (extracellular matrix)- What fills the necrotic core of an advanced atherosclerotic plaque?
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Lipid debris and cholesterol clefts- What histologic feature defines a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque prone to rupture?
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A thin fibrous cap over a large lipid core with dense macrophage infiltrate- What artery is the most common site of severe atherosclerosis?
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Abdominal aorta- What acute event does atherosclerotic plaque rupture typically trigger?
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Thrombosis (occlusive clot formation)- What type of calcification is seen in advanced atherosclerotic plaques?
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Dystrophic calcification- In the first ____ after a myocardial infarction, light microscopy shows no visible histologic changes despite ongoing cell injury.
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0 to 4 hours- What is the earliest microscopic change seen in myocardial infarction, appearing around 4 to 12 hours?
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Wavy myofibers with early coagulative necrosis and edema- What type of necrosis characterizes myocardial infarction?
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Coagulative necrosis- What defines coagulative necrosis histologically?
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Preserved cell outlines with loss of nuclei and denatured cytoplasmic proteins- When does neutrophilic infiltration peak after a myocardial infarction?
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1 to 3 days
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