Medicine Shelf Prep!
Medicine Shelf Prep! is a podcast for medical students preparing for the internal medicine shelf exam. It offers short, high-yield episodes that break down commonly tested concepts into quick lessons. The show is designed to be listened to during commutes, rotations, or other busy moments. It aims to reinforce essential knowledge, clinical reasoning, and confidence for test day. Episodes are generated using AI text-to-speech technology.
Episodes
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic regurgitation causes blood to leak backward from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole.In this episode, Chris and Mars review:Chronic versus acute aortic regurgitationVolume overload and eccentric hypertrophyThe classic decrescendo diastolic murmurWide pulse pressure and water-hammer pulsesAustin Flint murmurEchocardiographic diagnosisWhen severe chronic AR requires surgeryAorti
Mitral Stenosis
Mitral stenosis is obstruction of blood flow across the mitral valve, most commonly due to rheumatic heart disease.In this episode, Chris and Mars review:Opening snap and the classic apical diastolic rumbleLeft atrial enlargement and pulmonary congestionPulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failureWhy atrial fibrillation can rapidly worsen symptomsStroke and systemic embolic riskEchocardiog
Aortic Stenosis
Aortic stenosis is a fixed obstruction of left ventricular outflow caused by narrowing of the aortic valve.In this episode, Chris and Mars review:Calcific and bicuspid aortic stenosisThe classic murmur and carotid radiationPulsus parvus et tardusWhy severe disease causes dyspnea, angina, and exertional syncopeEcho criteria for severe aortic stenosisAortic stenosis versus hypertrophic cardiomyopath
Constrictive Pericarditis
Constrictive pericarditis occurs when a rigid, scarred pericardium prevents normal ventricular filling, producing predominantly right-sided heart failure despite preserved systolic function.In this episode, Chris and Mars review:Kussmaul sign, rapid y descent, and the pericardial knockCommon causes including cardiac surgery, prior pericarditis, radiation, and tuberculosisSeptal bounce and ventricu
Cardiac Tamponade
Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening form of obstructive shock caused by pericardial pressure preventing normal cardiac filling.In this episode, Chris and Mars review:The physiology of impaired diastolic fillingWhy rapid fluid accumulation is especially dangerousBeck triad and why all three findings are not requiredPulsus paradoxusElectrical alternansEchocardiographic right atrial and right ven
Pericardial Effusion
Pericardial effusion is an abnormal accumulation of fluid around the heart. The critical question is whether that fluid is causing cardiac tamponade and impaired ventricular filling.In this episode, Chris and Mars review:Major causes of pericardial effusionWhy the rate of fluid accumulation mattersLow-voltage E C G and electrical alternansEchocardiographic diagnosisRight atrial and right ventricul
Dressler Syndrome
Dressler syndrome is a delayed, immune-mediated pericarditis that occurs after myocardial infarction, usually weeks after the initial cardiac injury.In this episode, Chris and Mars review:Dressler syndrome versus early post-MI pericarditisWhy timing is the key shelf cluePositional pleuritic chest pain, friction rub, fever, and pericardial effusionHow to distinguish pericarditis from recurrent myoc
Acute Pericarditis
Acute pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium classically presenting with sharp, pleuritic chest pain that improves when sitting forward.In this episode, Chris and Mars review:Classic positional chest pain and the pericardial friction rubDiffuse ST elevation and P R depressionThe four diagnostic criteria for acute pericarditisHow to distinguish pericarditis from STEMI and myocarditisFirst-
Myocarditis
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle that can present with chest pain, heart failure, arrhythmias, or cardiogenic shock.In this episode, Chris and Mars review:The classic post-viral presentationWhy myocarditis can mimic myocardial infarctionTroponin, E C G, echocardiography, and cardiac M R I findingsMyocarditis versus pericarditisWhen endomyocardial biopsy is indicatedFulminant and gia
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a diastolic heart failure syndrome caused by stiff, noncompliant ventricles that cannot fill normally.In this episode, Chris and Mars review: The classic *big atria, small ventricles** pattern* Amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis, and other major causes* Kussmaul sign and right-sided heart failure findings* How to distinguish restrictive cardiomyopathy from cons
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an inherited myocardial disease characterized by unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy, impaired diastolic filling, and sometimes dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.In this episode, Chris and Mars review:* The classic genetics and asymmetric septal hypertrophy of HCM* Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve* Why the murmur gets louder with sta
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a major cause of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction characterized by ventricular dilation and impaired contractility.In this episode, Chris and Mars review:* The “big ventricle, weak squeeze” physiology of dilated cardiomyopathy* Classic causes including alcohol, myocarditis, anthracyclines, genetic disease, peripartum cardiomyopathy, and tachycardia-mediated ca
Cardiogenic Shock
Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening state of inadequate tissue perfusion caused by severe cardiac dysfunction. The key is to recognize low-output physiology, support perfusion, and rapidly identify the underlying cause.In this episode, Chris and Mars review:The classic hemodynamic pattern of cardiogenic shockHow to distinguish cardiogenic shock from septic, hypovolemic, and obstructive shockWh
Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, or HFpEF, is a form of heart failure caused primarily by impaired ventricular relaxation and reduced left ventricular compliance despite a preserved ejection fraction.In this episode, Chris and Mars review:Why a normal ejection fraction does not mean normal cardiac functionThe classic HFpEF patient: older adults with hypertension, obesity, diabetes,
Acute Decompensated Heart Failure
Acute decompensated heart failure is a high-yield medicine shelf emergency where management depends on two key questions: Is the patient congested, and is the patient adequately perfusing?In this episode, Chris and Mars review:Classic signs of pulmonary and systemic congestionIntravenous loop diuretics for volume overloadNitrates and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in hypertensive pulmon
ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
ST-elevation myocardial infarction, or STEMI, is an acute coronary emergency caused by coronary plaque rupture and thrombotic occlusion leading to transmural myocardial ischemia. The key is rapid recognition and immediate reperfusion.In this episode, Chris and Mars review:Classic STEMI presentation and important atypical symptomsHow to localize infarction using the E C GWhy treatment should not wa
Chronic Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction
Chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, or HFrEF, is a form of systolic heart failure caused by impaired left ventricular contractility and an ejection fraction of 40% or less.In this episode, we review:The classic symptoms and physical exam findings of HFrEFCommon causes, including ischemic heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathyThe role of echocardiography and BNPThe major disease
Vasospastic Angina
Vasospastic Angina, also called Prinzmetal angina, is caused by transient coronary artery spasm and classically presents with chest pain at rest, often at night or early in the morning.In this episode, we review:The classic presentation of vasospastic anginaWhy transient ST-segment elevation can occurHow to distinguish it from stable angina and acute coronary syndromeThe role of coronary angiograp
Unstable Angina
Unstable angina is an acute coronary syndrome caused by myocardial ischemia without detectable myocardial injury. In this episode of Medicine Shelf Prep, Chris and Mars break down the classic presentation, how to distinguish unstable angina from stable angina and NSTEMI, the role of serial high-sensitivity troponins and ECGs, and the key management decisions you need to know for the Medicine Shelf
Non–ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Non–ST-Elevation Myocardial InfarctionRapidly review how to recognize an NSTEMI, interpret ECG and troponin findings, distinguish it from unstable angina and type two myocardial infarction, initiate treatment, and identify patients who need urgent coronary angiography. Plus, learn the critical shelf-exam trap: fibrinolysis is not used for NSTEMI.Get five new high-yield clinical questions every day
Chronic Coronary Syndrome
Chronic Coronary SyndromeLearn to recognize stable angina, distinguish it from acute coronary syndrome, select the appropriate diagnostic test, choose first-line medications, and determine when revascularization is indicated.Medicine Shelf Prep is sponsored by Scrub Battle. Get five new clinical questions daily, immediate explanations, and medical-school leaderboards.Download Scrub Battle: CKUse o
Chest Pain and the ECG: The Initial Approach
Chest pain questions are won or lost in the first few decisions. Chris and Mars review how to assess stability, interpret an ECG, recognize inferior, posterior, and right ventricular infarctions, use serial troponins, and distinguish acute coronary syndrome from other life-threatening causes of chest pain.Medicine Shelf Prep is sponsored by Scrub Battle. Download Scrub Battle: CK from the iOS App
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