General medical knowledge

Describe the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and its progression from stable plaque to coronary thrombosis.

Apply cardiovascular risk assessment tools (e.g., ASCVD score) to guide primary prevention strategies.

Formulate lipid-lowering strategies using statins and non-statin therapies (e.g., ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors) based on risk profiles.

Diagnose stable angina and formulate a medical management plan using anti-anginal and secondary prevention therapies.

Identify indications for revascularization (PCI vs. CABG) in patients with stable ischemic heart disease.

Diagnose and manage hypertriglyceridemia, including strategies to prevent pancreatitis.

Manage common challenges in lipid management, including statin intolerance.

Differentiate UA, NSTEMI, and STEMI using clinical, ECG, and biomarker criteria.

Localize the area of infarction in STEMI based on ECG patterns (e.g., anterior, inferior, posterior).

Apply risk stratification scores (e.g., TIMI, GRACE) in NSTEMI/UA to guide invasive versus conservative strategies.

Formulate immediate pharmacological management for ACS, including dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), anticoagulation, and beta-blockers.

Determine the appropriate reperfusion strategy (primary PCI vs. thrombolysis) in STEMI, including contraindications for thrombolysis.

Diagnose and manage acute mechanical and arrhythmic complications of myocardial infarction.

Formulate long-term post-ACS management, including DAPT duration, high-intensity statins, and cardiac rehabilitation.

Diagnose and manage stent thrombosis and in-stent restenosis.

Classify heart failure (HFrEF, HFmrEF, HFpEF) and correlate with underlying pathophysiology (systolic vs. diastolic dysfunction).

Apply diagnostic criteria (e.g., Framingham) and staging systems (NYHA, ACC/AHA) in the evaluation of chronic heart failure.

Diagnose acute decompensated heart failure, identify precipitants, and differentiate clinical profiles (e.g., warm/wet, cold/dry).

Formulate a treatment plan for acute pulmonary edema using diuretics, vasodilators, and non-invasive ventilation.

Prescribe comprehensive guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for HFrEF, including the four pillar drug classes.

Outline management strategies for HFpEF, focusing on diuretics, and management of comorbidities.

Formulate the initial management of cardiogenic shock using inotropes, vasopressors, and principles of mechanical circulatory support.

Diagnose sinus node dysfunction (sick sinus syndrome) and its clinical manifestations.

Differentiate degrees of atrioventricular (AV) block (1st, 2nd Mobitz I/II, 3rd) and determine the level of the block.

Correlate ECG findings of bifascicular and trifascicular blocks with clinical prognosis.

Formulate acute management for symptomatic bradycardia based on ACLS guidelines, including use of atropine and transcutaneous pacing.

Identify reversible causes of bradyarrhythmias and conduction disturbances.

Determine the indications for permanent pacemaker implantation in patients with sinus node dysfunction and AV block.

Diagnose and differentiate common supraventricular tachycardias (AF, atrial flutter, AVNRT, AVRT) on ECG.

Formulate an acute management plan for stable and unstable tachycardias, including vagal maneuvers and cardioversion.

Diagnose ventricular tachycardia (VT) using morphological criteria and differentiate it from SVT with aberrancy.

Formulate a management strategy for hemodynamically stable and unstable ventricular tachycardia.

Apply a rate vs. rhythm control strategy for atrial fibrillation based on patient characteristics.

Diagnose inherited channelopathies like Long QT and Brugada syndromes and formulate management to prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Manage torsades de pointes by identifying and correcting underlying causes.

Apply the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores to guide anticoagulation decisions in atrial fibrillation.

Prescribe and manage warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), including reversal strategies.

Formulate perioperative anticoagulation management plans (bridging therapy).

Select appropriate P2Y12 inhibitors (clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor) in the context of ACS and PCI.

Describe the mechanisms and clinical use of antiarrhythmic drugs according to the Vaughan-Williams classification.

Identify indications and manage therapy for advanced antiplatelet agents like Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors.

Diagnose and assess the severity of aortic stenosis and regurgitation using clinical and echocardiographic findings.

Diagnose and assess the severity of mitral stenosis and regurgitation, differentiating primary from secondary causes.

Determine the indications and optimal timing for surgical or transcatheter intervention in aortic and mitral valve disease.

Outline the diagnosis and management principles for tricuspid and pulmonary valve diseases.

Formulate appropriate anticoagulation strategies for mechanical and bioprosthetic heart valves.

Diagnose and manage common complications of prosthetic valves, including dysfunction and thromboembolism.

Identify indications for device-based therapies in heart failure, including CRT and ICD for primary/secondary prevention of SCD.

Differentiate the clinical presentation, investigation, and management of dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive cardiomyopathies.

Apply risk stratification for sudden cardiac death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to guide ICD therapy.

Differentiate restrictive cardiomyopathy from constrictive pericarditis using clinical and hemodynamic criteria.

Diagnose and manage acute pericarditis, cardiac tamponade, and constrictive pericarditis.

Apply the modified Duke criteria to diagnose infective endocarditis and formulate empirical antibiotic therapy.

Identify major complications and surgical indications in infective endocarditis.

Diagnose and differentiate myocarditis and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy from acute coronary syndrome.

Formulate a diagnostic workup for secondary hypertension based on clinical clues.

Select appropriate antihypertensive agents based on compelling indications and comorbidities.

Define and differentiate hypertensive urgency from emergency.

Formulate management plans for specific hypertensive emergencies, such as acute pulmonary edema, stroke, and aortic dissection.

Diagnose abdominal aortic aneurysm and identify indications for surveillance versus surgical repair.

Diagnose and manage acute aortic dissection, including medical and surgical strategies.

Diagnose peripheral arterial disease using the ankle-brachial index and outline management strategies.

Formulate the urgent management of acute limb ischemia.

Diagnose and outline management for common adult congenital heart diseases (ASD, VSD, PDA).

Describe the pathophysiology and management of Eisenmenger syndrome.

Manage cardiovascular conditions during pregnancy, including peripartum cardiomyopathy and valvular disease.

Diagnose and classify pulmonary hypertension, and outline management based on WHO groups.

Apply cardiovascular risk stratification tools (e.g., RCRI) for patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Develop a systematic approach to the evaluation and risk stratification of syncope.

Manage cardiovascular complications associated with chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus.

Apply ACLS algorithms for managing cardiac arrest with shockable (VF/pVT) and non-shockable (Asystole/PEA) rhythms.

Identify and manage the reversible causes of cardiac arrest (H's and T's).

Describe the principles of high-quality CPR and the role of defibrillation.

Formulate a comprehensive post-cardiac arrest care plan, including targeted temperature management and hemodynamic optimization.

Outline pre-participation cardiovascular screening protocols for athletes to prevent sudden cardiac death.