Hu Said: Cardiology Board Review Series
Hu Said is a cardiology medical education podcast that delivers high-yield information for board exams. Each episode covers core topics concisely, with over 100 topics in the second season. Evidence-based statements from major cardiology guidelines are integrated. The podcast is designed for residents, fellows, and re-certifying cardiologists seeking efficient study.
Episodes
2026 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
In what settings should you use the H₂FPEF, HFA-PEFF, and HFpEF-ABA scores in the diagnosis of HFpEF? What are HFpEF mimics? What is the difference between OMT and GDMT? Why is finerenone now preferred over spironolactone as the mineralocorticoid antagonist of choice in HFpEF? In which HFpEF patients should semaglutide or tirzepatide be prescribed? Why should ACE inhibitors be avoided in HFpEF, an
2026 AHA/ACC/ESC/WHF Second Universal Definition of Heart Failure
Why did the 2026 universal definition abandon specific numerical cutoffs for HFrEF and HFpEF? What are the three positive trajectories that can emerge from symptomatic HF? How do impHF (heart failure with improvement), remHF (heart failure with remission), and recHF (heart failure with recovery) differ from one another? What is the distinction between worsening HF and decompensated HF? What are th
2026 ACC/AHA Dyslipidemia Guideline
When should apoB be measured? In whom should lipoprotein(a) be measured? Should LDL-C be calculated by the Friedewald, Martin-Hopkins, or Sampson-NIH equations? How do the PREVENT-ASCVD equations differ from the Pooled Cohort Equations? How long is a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score of 0 "good for"? How should CAC scoring be used to guide statin initiation and intensity? What are the
2026 AHA/ACC Acute Pulmonary Embolism Guideline
What is the new 2026 classification for acute pulmonary embolism? What is the respiratory modifier? What category encompasses normotensive shock? What is the difference between the PESI score, sPESI score, Hestia score, and CPES score? Should LMWH or unfractionated heparin be used for initial parenteral anticoagulation for PE? What anticoagulation agent for PE is recommended in patients with antip
2025 ACC/AHA Adult Congenital Heart Disease Guideline
What right ventricular end-systolic volume should guide timing of pulmonary valve replacement in tetralogy of Fallot? At what pulmonary vascular resistance can closure be pursued for an atrial septal defect in patients with pulmonary hypertension? How often should Fontan patients receive liver imaging and alpha-fetoprotein screening? Should patients with Eisenmenger syndrome be routinely anticoagu
2025 AHA/ACC High Blood Pressure Guideline
What is the new term for hypertensive urgency? When is single-pill combination antihypertensive indicated? Do ACEI/ARB, MRA, and thiazide or potassium-sparing diuretics need to be held for initial testing of primary aldosteronism? In what neurologic condition should systolic BP be acutely lowered to 130-139 mmHg for 7 days, but not lower than 130 mmHg? Does BP control reduce the risk of dementia?
Special Episode: Music of the Heart: Arrhythmias
Can music help us understand cardiac arrhythmias? 🎵💓 In this special podcast episode, I explore how musical notation can be used to visualize and "hear" ECG rhythms, providing an intuitive and structured approach to learning atrial fibrillation, AV blocks, ventricular tachycardia, and more. By "hearing" arrhythmias and "reading" them in a musical framework, trainees c
2025 Acute Coronary Syndromes Guideline
Should non-culprit lesions be revascularized in STEMI and NSTEMI? Should revascularization of non-culprit lesions occur in a simultaneous or staged manner? How do these recommendations differ when acute MI presents with cardiogenic shock? When DAPT is reduced to SAPT, which P2Y12 inhibitor is favored for monotherapy? When is de-escalation from ticagrelor/prasugrel to clopidogrel reasonable? In pos
11.12 Single Ventricle
In this episode, we review congenital single ventricle, including physiology, surgical repair, and long-term management. What are the different types of univentricular heart defects, and how do they affect the systemic and pulmonary circulations? What are the three steps of staged surgical repair for single ventricle, and what are the indications for each? What is the difference between classic (u
11.11 Transposition of the Great Arteries and Truncus Arteriosus
In this episode, we review transposition of the great arteries (TGA), including the physiology, imaging, repair strategies, and potential complications. What is the difference between D-TGA (complete TGA) and L-TGA (congenitally corrected TGA), and why are they named D- and L-? How does blood flow through the heart in D-TGA, and why is a shunt necessary for survival? What imaging features help ide
11.10 Ebstein’s Anomaly, Double Right Ventricle, Tricuspid Hypoplasia, Pulmonic Hypoplasia
In this episode, we review right side congenital abnormalities, including Ebstein’s anomaly, double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV), tricuspid hypoplasia, and pulmonic hypoplasia. Which condition is characterized by "atrialization" of the right ventricle? How does the apical displacement of the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve in Ebstein anomaly compare with what occurs in atrioventricular s
11.09 Tetralogy of Fallot
In this episode, we review Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), including its pre-repair issues, surgical options, and post-repair complications. What are the four cardinal abnormalities seen in TOF, and how do they impact right-to-left shunting and systemic oxygenation? What are the differences between the Blalock-Taussig shunt, the Waterston or Potts shunts, and complete TOF repair? What surgical strategi
11.08 Coarctation of the Aorta
In this episode, we review coarctation of the aorta (CoA), including its epidemiology, presentation, imaging, and management. Which type of VSD is commonly seen in patients with CoA? What proportion of CoA patients have bicuspid aortic valve, and what proportion of bicuspid aortic valve patients have CoA? What key physical exam findings suggest CoA, and how does it present in young patients versus
11.07 Patent Ductus Arteriosus
In this episode, we review the physiology, imaging, and management of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). What is the classic murmur of PDA, and how does it change with shunt reversal? Why do patients with PDA get left heart enlargement instead of right heart enlargement? How does the differential cyanosis seen in PDA with Eisenmenger syndrome present? How do you calculate pulmonary artery systolic pr
11.06 Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return, Persistent Left SVC
In this episode, we explore anomalous pulmonary venous return (APVR), including its types, associated conditions, and management. What is the difference between total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) and partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR)? How do supracardiac, cardiac, infracardiac, and mixed types of TAPVR differ? Which ASD type is most commonly associated with PAPVR? What
11.05 Atrioventricular Septal Defects
In this episode, we explore atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD), covering its types, physiology, and when to intervene. How do complete, partial, transitional, and intermediate AV septal defects differ in structure and physiology? What are the anatomic and functional consequences of a primum ASD with cleft mitral valve, and how does this affect the mitral valve's position relative to the tricus
11.04 Ventricular Septal Defects
In this episode, we review ventricular septal defects (VSDs), including their types, physiology, and management. What are the differences between inlet, outlet, membranous, and trabecular VSDs? How do these defects vary in terms of location, association with other cardiac conditions, and suitability for percutaneous closure? Which VSD types tend to have aortic cusp prolapse, leading to aortic regu
11.03 Patent Foramen Ovale
In this episode, we review patent foramen ovale (PFO), including its types, physiology, presentation, and when to intervene. How does a PFO differ from an atrial septal defect (ASD), and why does PFO not cause the right heart enlargement and pulmonary hypertension seen in ASD? What is platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome? What can cause platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome other than PFO? What features on bra
11.02 Atrial Septal Defects
In this episode, we review atrial septal defects (ASDs), including their types, imaging, and management. What is the difference between secundum defect, primum defect, sinus venosus defect, and coronary sinus defect? Which is the only ASD defect out of the four that can be percutaneously closed (in addition to surgically closed)? Which ASD type is accompanied by anomalous pulmonary venous return?
11.01 Congenital Heart Disease Epidemiology, Physiology, Associations
In this episode, we review the epidemiology of congenital heart diseases and develop a framework for categorizing them by cyanotic and non-cyanotic disorders, and go over physiologic concepts across congenital conditions. What are the 5 'T' disorders that are characterized by cyanosis? What are the non-T disorders that can develop cyanosis? What is the tipping point for Eisenmenger syndrome to occ
10.01 Cardio-Obstetrics
In this episode, we review highlights of cardiovascular considerations in pregnancy. How does pregnancy affect blood volume, systemic vascular resistance, pulmonary vascular resistance, heart rate, and cardiac output? What routine physical exam findings in pregnancy that can mimic heart disease, and what physical exam findings are abnormal in pregnancy? How do LV mass, chamber size, and LV outflow
9.01 Cardiac Masses
In this episode, we review cardiac masses, including primary benign, primary malignant, and secondary (metastatic) cardiac tumors. Are malignant tumors much more likely to occur in the ventricles or the atria? If you see a myxoma in any cardiac chamber other than the left atrium, what syndromic complex should you suspect? What echocardiographic features distinguish benign and malignant cardiac mas
8.04 Orthostatic Hypotension
In this episode, we review orthostatic hypotension (OH). What criteria define OH? What is a simple way to distinguish neurogenic OH from volume depletion-related OH? What criteria define postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)? What non-pharmacologic measures should be undertaken as first-line measures for OH? How do fludrocortisone, midodrine, droxidopa, and atomoxetine work, and what ar
8.03 Renovascular hypertension, aldosteronism, and pheochromocytoma
In this episode, we explore the diagnosis and management of three important causes of secondary hypertension: renovascular hypertension, primary aldosteronism, and pheochromocytoma. Which segments of the renal artery are preferentially affected by atherosclerotic renovascular hypertension versus fibromuscular dysplasia, and which is more likely to be accompanied by disease in other arterial beds?
8.02 Hypertensive Urgency and Emergency
In this episode, we review hypertensive urgency and emergency. What counts as "end-organ" damage in hypertensive emergency? What neurological signs are consistent with hypertensive encephalopathy? Which acute conditions require bringing systolic blood pressure (SBP) down to ≤160 mmHg in the first hour, and which require bringing SBP down to ≤140 mmHg in the first hour? Which acute conditions requi
8.01 Chronic Hypertension
In this episode, we review chronic hypertension. How did the the definitions of stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension change in the most recent AHA/ACC/ASH guidelines? What happened to "prehypertension"? Which chronic condition needs control of systolic blood pressure (SBP) to <120/80; which conditions need control of SBP to <130/80? What is the natural variation in BP with sleep and with age? Wh
7.08 Vasculitis
In this episode, we review the large vessel vasculitides, medium-vessel vasculitides, ANCA-associated small-vessel vasculitides, and immune complex associated small-vessel vasculitides. What is the difference in the population of patients affected by Takayasu's arteritis of the aorta and its branches versus giant cell arteritis of the temporal artery? What about subcranial giant cell arteritis, wh
7.06 Carotid Artery Stenosis
In this episode, we review carotid artery stenosis (CAS), including its presentation, diagnosis, medical management, and intervention. Do dizziness, presyncope, or syncope count as symptomatic CAS? What is the definition of nondisabling stroke and transient cerebral ischemic symptoms? What risk factors permit ordering a carotid duplex ultrasound before coronary artery bypass graft surgery? What pe
7.05 Peripheral Artery Disease
In this episode, we review limb peripheral artery disease (PAD). What is the difference in management of a marginally threatened limb vs immediately threatened limb? In whom can you order ankle brachial index (ABI) testing on? When do you reach for toe brachial index (TBI) or exercise ABI? Is there a role for cilostazol or pentoxifylline? Who should be given low-dose rivaroxaban therapy? Tune in f
7.04 Aortic Intramural Hematoma, Penetrating Aortic Ulcer, Aortitis and Aortic Atheroemboli
In this episode, we review aortic intramural hematoma (IMH), penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU), infectious aortitis and aortic atheroemboli. What condition is characterized by a crescentic aortic wall thickening and echolucency within the aortic wall with no intimal flap on transesophageal echocardiogram? What percent of IMH progresses to aortic dissection?What imaging findings distinguish IMH from d
7.03 Aortic Dissection
In this episode, we review aortic dissection, its risk factors, presentation, physical exam findings, imaging findings, and management. Other than aortic dissection, what other cardiovascular conditions can present with unequal arterial pulsations? How do gender and age affect the risk of aortic dissection? What are risks for aortic dissection for women, especially during pregnancy, and for patien
7.02 Abdominal Aorta Aneurysm
In this episode, we review abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), including its diagnosis, screening, and management. What are the current guidelines for screening and surveillance of AAA, and how do they differ for men and women? At what size does the risk of rupture significantly increase, and what surveillance intervals are recommended based on the size of the aneurysm? What does Laplace's Law say ab
7.01 Ascending Aorta Dilation + Marfan, Turner, Loeys-Dietz Syndromes
In this episode, we review ascending aorta dilation and ascending aorta aneurysm, including the key syndromes associated. What is cystic medial degeneration? Which diseases cause dilation of the aortic root versus dilation of the ascending aorta? In which diseases is ascending aorta dilation defined by diameter (cm) versus body surface area-indexed diameter (cm/m^2) versus aortic root cross sectio
6.05 Left Ventricular Thrombus
In this episode, we review left ventricular (LV) thrombus, including its pathophysiology, imaging characteristics, and treatment. How are the components of Virchow's triad disrupted by myocardial infarction, predisposing to formation of LV thrombus? What are the echocardiographic features of LV thrombus? How can LV thrombus be distinguished from myxoma on cardiac MRI and angiogram? Can the chronic
6.04 Deep Venous Thrombosis
In this episode, we review deep vein thrombosis (DVT). What are the ultrasound features of a DVT? What counts as a proximal DVT? Why are patients with proximal DVT at higher risk, and how does this impact management? What are the recommended anticoagulation strategies, including the use of DOACs versus VKAs? How long should anticoagulation continue for provoked versus unprovoked DVT? When is indef
6.02 Calculating Pulmonary Artery Pressures
In this episode, we review how to calculate pulmonary artery pressures (PASP) on echocardiography. How does the simplified Bernoulli equation relate the velocity of flow through the tricuspid valve (tricuspid regurgitant velocity, V_TR) to the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP)? When is it permissible and not permissible to assume that PASP is equivalent to RVSP? How can the maximal tricus
6.01 Pulmonary Hypertension
In this episode, we review the essentials of pulmonary hypertension (PH), including the five groups. What echocardiographic findings allow you to distinguish between pre-capillary and post-capillary PH without information from right heart catheterization? In patients with PH non-vasoresponsive to nitric oxide, how do you decide whether to use phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors), pros
5.02 Inflammatory Pericarditis
In this episode, we dive into the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of inflammatory pericarditis. How do diagnostic criteria differ for first-time pericarditis and recurrent pericarditis? What is the sequence of ECG changes over the course of pericarditis? How many components would you expect to hear in a pericardial friction rub? Is post-MI pericarditis the same thing as Dressler's syndro
5.01 Pericardial Effusion and Tamponade
In this episode, we review pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. What is the definition of small, moderate, and large pericardial effusion? What is ventricular interdependence? What is pulsus paradoxus? What conditions can cause a false positive or false negative pulsus paradoxus? What comprises Beck's triad? What are seven cardinal findings of tamponade physiology on echocardiography? What
4.19 Patient Prosthesis Mismatch and Prosthetic Valve Stenosis
In this episode, we review patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) and prosthetic valve stenosis. What cutoffs for indexed effective orifice area (EOA) suggest severe, moderate, or mild PPM of an aortic valve prosthesis? What about for mitral valve prosthesis? What are the causes of prosthetic valve stenosis? How do you differentiate PPM from prosthetic valve stenosis using Doppler velocity index (DVI),
4.18 Anticoagulation Targets After Valve Replacement
In this episode, we review anticoagulant targets after valve replacement. What are the anticoagulation goals for mechanical and bioprosthetic valves? Why does a mechanical mitral valve have a higher INR target compared to a mechanical aortic valve? What are the risk factors that can increase the target INR for a mechanical aortic valve? How does the On-X mechanical valve’s anticoagulation regimen
4.17 Infective Endocarditis Part 2
In this episode, we continue our review on infective endocarditis (IE), covering antibiotic prophylaxis, prosthesis-related endocarditis, and device-related infections. Which are the high-risk cardiac conditions and high-risk procedures that warrant antibiotic prophylaxis for IE? How do the pathogens differ between early and late prosthetic valve endocarditis, and how do these impact prognosis and
4.16 Infective Endocarditis Part 1
In this episode, we review the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of infective endocarditis (IE). What five cardinal characteristics lead you to suspect a vegetation on echocardiography? Which heart valves are most commonly affected, and how does the microbial etiology differ between IV drug use and non-drug use-related endocarditis? When is it appropriate to repeat transthoracic echocardiogr
4.15 Differentiating the Doppler envelope of AS, MR, TR, HOCM
In this episode, we review how to differentiate the Doppler signals of aortic stenosis (AS), mitral regurgitation (MR), tricuspid regurgitation (TR), and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) – as all four of these occur during the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle. Which jets are separated by the isovolumic contraction time (IVCT) a
4.14 Common Principles in Valve Regurgitation Quantification
In this special episode, we sit down and examine the flowcharts for guideline-based quantification of aortic regurgitation (AR) severity, mitral regurgitation (MR) severity, and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity, and compare and contrast the differences in the cutoffs used, and the physiologic reasons for these differences. How are EROA and regurgitant volume thresholds the same or different a
4.13 Pulmonic Stenosis and Pulmonic Regurgitation
In this episode, we review pulmonic stenosis (PS) and pulmonic regurgitation (PR). How do you distinguish between the click of pulmonic stenosis, aortic stenosis, Ebstein anomaly, and mitral valve prolapse? What cutoffs in peak velocity and mean gradient define severe, moderate, and mild PS? What is branch PS? Is surgical repair or pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty preferred for the treatment of mod
4.12 Tricuspid Stenosis, Tricuspid Regurgitation, Carcinoid Disease
In this episode, we review tricuspid stenosis (TS) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR). What are the echocardiographic criteria for diagnosing severe TS, and how does it differ from that of severe mitral stenosis? Which etiology of TR would have diffuse leaflet thickening with restriction of opening due to commisural fusion, chordal shortening, and calcification with characteristic diastolic doming?
4.11 Mitral Regurgitation Management
In this episode, we review the management of mitral regurgitation (MR). How is the management of chronic primary MR, chronic secondary, and acute MR different from each other? What is the relative difficulty of repair for Carpentier type I vs II vs III type MR? In patients with severe primary MR who are asymptomatic, what are the four factors which permit mitral valve surgery? Why does the LV end-
4.10 Mitral Regurgitatation Quantification
In this episode, we review methods to quantify the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR), including the calculation of effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) and regurgitant volume (RVol) by the proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) method, and calculation of EROA and RVol using stroke volume by the continuity equation. What numerical cutoffs for EROA, RVol, and regurgitant fraction (RF) ind
4.09 Mitral Regurgitation Classification
In this episode, we explore how mitral regurgitation (MR) is categorized based on anatomy, leaflet motion, and acuity. Are the A1, A2, A3, P1, P2, P3 scallops/segments of the mitral valve named from medial to lateral or lateral to medial? What is the difference between primary and secondary MR, and what are the most common etiologies of each? How does the Carpentier classification system categoriz
4.08 Mitral Stenosis
In this episode, we review mitral stenosis (MS), including its epidemiology, presentation, imaging features, and management. What are the main causes of MS? What do the the characteristic "fish mouth" and "hockey stick" signs on echocardiography signify regarding the etiology of MS? How do mitral valve area, pressure gradients, and pressure half-time factor into determining the severity of MS, and
4.06 Aortic Regurgitation Types and Management
In this episode, we review the types, presentation, physical exam, and management of aortic regurgitation (AR). What is the difference between types Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, II, and III aortic regurgitation? Why is the murmur of acute AR barely audible compared to the murmur of chronic AR? What are Corrigan's pulse, Muller's sign, Quincke's sign, and De Musset's sign? What is the Austin Flint murmur? Why s
4.05 Aortic Valve Replacement
In this episode, we explore the timing and indications for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in aortic stenosis (AS). Is it possible to qualify for AVR if AS is not severe, or if AS is asymptomatic? What are the key considerations when choosing between transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), and when might palliation be more appropriate? What are th
4.04 Low Gradient, Bicuspid, Unicuspid, Subvalvular, and Supravalvular Aortic Stenosis
In this episode, we explore various types of aortic valve stenosis (AS) other than conventional AS, including low-gradient AS, bicuspid and unicuspid valves, subvalvular and supravalvular AS. What is the difference between classical low flow low gradient AS, paradoxical low flow low gradient AS, and normal flow low gradient AS? What parameters on dobutamine stress echo allow you to and valvular co
4.03 Valve Disease Epidemiology, Conventional Aortic Stenosis
In this episode, we explore the epidemiology of valvular disease, and then jump in to aortic stenosis, focusing on the presentation, grading of severity, measurement of gradients on invasive and non-invasive modalities, and calculation of valve area. What is Heyde's syndrome? What is the Gallavardin phenomenon? What is pulsus parvus et tardus? What are the cutoffs for mild, moderate, and severe AS
3.21 Post Heart Transplant
In this episode, we review post-heart transplant issues, including immunosuppression, rejection, complications, and long-term monitoring. What are the three phases of immunosuppression? How do calcineurin inhibitors, antimetabolites, and corticosteroids prevent rejection? What are the key differences between hyperacute rejection, acute cellular rejection, antibody-mediated rejection, and chronic r
3.20 Pre-Heart Transplant
In this episode, we review pre-heart transplantation issues, including indications for heart transplant, exclusion criteria for heart transplant, levels of listing for heart transplant, and serial testing while on the wait list. What is the definition of advanced heart failure? What are the indications for evaluation for heart transplant? What are major exclusion criteria for heart transplant? Wha
3.19 Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
In this episode, we review cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and its role in heart failure management and transplant evaluation. What term describes the value at which oxygen uptake plateaus despite a continued increase in the intensity of exercise? What term describes the threshold during exercise at which lactic acid begins to accumulate in the blood and carbon dioxide production starts to
3.18 Left Ventricular Assist Devices Part 2
In this episode, we review the use of imaging in assessing patients before and after LVAD implantation. What are concerning findings on pre-LVAD echocardiogram, other than an overly small left ventricular (LV) cavity? On post-LVAD echocardiogram, what emergency would be suggested by the combined findings of an increased left ventricular internal diameter at end diastole (LVIDd), worsened mitral re
3.17 Left Ventricular Assist Devices Part 1
In this episode, we review patient selection for left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), LVAD types, components, physiology, and troubleshooting. LVAD evaluation may be reasonable in patients in which INTERMACS profiles? What is the function of the driveline, system controller, pump cable, and rotor of the LVAD? What is a typical fixed speed, and how close should the actual speed be to the fixed
3.16 Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps
In this episode, we go over the practical use and management of intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP) in the cardiac intensive care unit. How does the IABP assist during systole and diastole, and what are the hemodynamic benefits of its inflation and deflation? What physiologic effects does the balloon pump have on cardiac output, coronary perfusion, left ventricular wall stress, pulmonary capillary w
3.15 Inotropes
In this episode, we review the use of inotropes in acute decompensated heart failure and cardiogenic shock? What are the effects of activating alpha-1 receptors, beta-1 receptors, and beta-2 receptors? What are the effects of inhibiting phosphodiesterase-5? What is the vasoconstriction-vs-inotropy-plot and where does each inotrope and vasopressor sit on the plot with respect to the intropy=0 verti
3.14 Pressure Waveform Interpretation
In this episode, we review central venous pressure (CVP) waveform interpretation. What is signified by the a, c, and v waves, and the x and y descents? What do giant a peaks signify? What do cannon a waves signify? What does absent a peak signify? What does a prominent v peak or merged CV peak signify? What does a diminished v peak signify? What does a merged ACV peak signify? What does a rapid y
3.13 Pulmonary Artery (Swan-Ganz) Catheterization
In this episode, we review pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz) catheterization. What are indications and contraindications to pulmonary artery catheter placement? What variables make up the oxygen content equation and oxygen delivery equation? What is the difference between mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2)? What conditions cause elevated or depressed SvO2
3.12 Right Ventricular Function
In this episode, we review the assessment of right ventricular (RV) size and function. What is the normal range of RV basal diameter, mid diameter, and longitudinal diameter? What are the relative advantages and drawbacks of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), tissue Doppler peak systolic velocity S’ at the tricuspid annulus, RV fractional area change (RV FAC), and RV index of myoc
3.11 Diastolic Function and Dysfunction
In this episode, we review diastolic function and diastolic dysfunction. What are the four phases of diastole? What are the characteristics of normal diastolic filling patterns, and how do they change in mild, moderate, and severe diastolic dysfunction? How do the E and A waves on Doppler of mitral inflow evolve with increasing stages of diastolic dysfunction? How do E and A waves vary with age, p
3.10 Diuretic Resistance and Cardiorenal Syndromes
In this episode, we review the very common issue of diuretic resistance and cardiorenal syndromes. What are the key actions of diuretics along different segments of the nephron? How do factors like hypoalbuminemia, renal perfusion pressure, and competing anions reduce loop diuretic efficacy? What role does chronic RAAS activation play in creating sodium avidity in the distal tubules and collecting
3.09 Biomarkers and Lab Abnormalities in Heart Failure
In this episode, we review the role of biomarkers and lab abnormalities in congestive heart failure. What are ANP, BNP, CNP, and DNP? What effect does BNP have on glomerular filtration rate, urinary sodium excretion, adrenal aldosterone secretion, and peripheral vascular tone? What is the relationship between BNP and NTproBNP? What are some factors that increase BNP and NTproBNP? What are some fac
3.08 Acute Heart Failure Decompensation
In this episode, we review the presentation and management of acute heart failure decompensation (ADHF). Why is venous dilation with IV nitroglycerin beneficial in patients with ADHF? What are the four quadrants of the Forrester-Stevenson classification? What is the relative conversion between oral and IV loop diuretics? When is a right heart catheterization indicated? What is the difference betwe
3.07 Chronic Heart Failure: Pathophysiology and GDMT
In this episode, we review chronic heart failure with reduced, mildly reduced, improved, and preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF, HFmrEF, HFimpEF, HFpEF). What are the stages of HF, and what therapies should be given to patients with pre-heart failure? What does adverse myocardial remodeling involve? While core GDMT for HFrEF is well-known, what constitutes core GDMT for HFpEF and HFmrEF? When shou
3.06 Non-compaction cardiomyopathy, stress cardiomyopathy, and myocarditis
In this episode, we go over the diagnosis and management of non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC), stress cardiomyopathy, and myocarditis. What imaging criteria are used to define LV noncompaction, and how does this differ between echocardiography and cardiac MRI? What are the most common microbes causing myocarditis? Can athletes with LVNC or myocarditis participate in competitive sports? Tune in
3.05 Dilated Cardiomyopathies
In this episode, we explore various forms of dilated cardiomyopathies (DCM) and their distinct features. What are the hallmark characteristics of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy on echocardiogram, and how does the sphericity index predict prognosis? How do we differentiate between dilated cardiomyopathies like sarcoidosis, peripartum cardiomyopathy, tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy, and hemoc
3.04 Restrictive Cardiomyopathies, including Amyloidosis
In this episode, we review restrictive cardiomyopathies (RCM), including amyloidosis and hypereosinophilic syndrome. What is the ice-cream cone appearance of the atria? What is the cherry-on-top appearance on strain imaging? What is the difference between AL, SSA, ATTR, and AA amyloidosis – which ones never have cardiac involvement and which ones always have cardiac involvement? Which amyloidosis
3.03 Other Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathies
In this episode, we explore types of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) other than idiopathic HCM and obstructive HCM, including apical HCM, Fabry's disease, and Danon's disease. We also review an HCM-mimic, athlete's heart. What are 10 ways that athlete's heart can be distinguished from HCM on imaging? Which cardiomyopathies will have thinning (echogenecity) of the basal inferolateral wall instead
3.02. HCM and HOCM Part 2
In this episode, we explore the medical and surgical management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). What cautions should you take with inotropes, vasodilators, diuretics, preload, and afterload in patients with HOCM? Do you initiate and uptitrate therapies based on symptoms, heart rate, QTc, or left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient? How
3.01 HCM and HOCM Part 1
In this episode, we review the diagnosis and imaging of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). How does the location of septal hypertrophy differ by age? Why does systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve occur? What is the role of crypts in HCM? What is the Brockenbrough-Braunwald-Morrow sign? Tune in for answers to these questions.
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2.19 Pre-operative Risk Stratification
In this episode, we review pre-operative cardiovascular risk stratification for noncardiac surgery. What is considered a low-risk surgery? What does "risk" refer too–risk of what? How are emergent surgery, urgent surgery, time-sensitive surgery, and elective surgery defined? How does functional capacity factor into decisions about preoperative testing? What are the cardinal steps for determining w
2.18 INOCA, SCAD, Cocaine Cardiotoxicity
In this episode, we explore ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA). How is the diagnosis of microvascular angina (MVA) and vasospastic angina (VSA) made? What cutoffs in the index of microvascular resistance (IMR) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) are used to diagnose MVA and VSA? Which medication for treating MVA will worsen VSA? What factors increase risk of spontaneous coronary a
2.17 Flow Reserve Measurements
In this episode, we explore flow reserve measurements used to determine lesion significance in coronary artery disease. What is the difference between hyperemic and non-hyperemic wire-derived ratios? Which different segments of diastole are instantaneous wave-free ratio (IFR), diastolic pressure ratio (DPR), and diastolic hyperemia-free ratio (DFR) measured at? What are the cutoffs for fractional
2.16 Normal and Anomalous Coronary Arteries
In this episode, we review the anatomy of normal coronary arteries and provide a systematic framework for thinking about coronary artery anomalies. How do you define proximal vs mid vs distal RCA, LAD, and LCX? What are the normal lengths of the RCA, LAD, and LCX? Which coronary artery anomalies have no clinical significance, and which are associated with sudden cardiac death? Which types of anoma
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