Cardiology Notes: Clinical Cases including ECG, Echocardiography, Cath, and MOCK Exams to sharpen your cardiology data interpretation skills. Healthcare is stressful!!! Learning cardiology shouldn't be !!!
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Spade shaped Left Ventricle in Apical variant of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (or Yamaguchi HCM)
RAOprojection demonstrating a "spade"-shaped left ventricular (LV) cavity, suggestive of apical variant hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Contrast agent appears dark and defines the narrow channel-like apical cavity (white arrow). At the apex, there is increased myocardial thickness (black arrows). Also seen are the dual-chamber pacemaker leads (asterisks). Watch Video below:
Pulse Wave Doppler of HCM Vs Aortic Stenosis:
PW doppler pattern differs because of dynamic obstruction of LVOT as compared to fixed aortic valve stenosis, resulting in dagger shapped profile in HCM as shown in the image below.
Spade shaped Left Ventricle in Apical variant of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (or Yamaguchi HCM)
Apical HCM is uncommon form of HCM which is seen most frequently in Japanese patients (25% of all HCM cases in Japan and 1-2% outside japan). It is characterized by localised hypertrophy of LV apex, causing a “spade-shaped” configuration of the LV cavity on ventriculography. Classic ECG finding in apical HCM is giant T-wave inversion in the precordial leads.
VIEW ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY INTRESTING CASE OF HCM HERE:
Brugada ECG vs Incomplete Right Bundle Branch Block (iRBBB) Why this differentiation matters Brugada pattern is a malignant channelopathy associated with sudden cardiac death, while incomplete RBBB is usually a benign conduction variant. Mislabeling Brugada as iRBBB can be fatal; overcalling iRBBB as Brugada can lead to unnecessary anxiety and ICD implantation. --- 1. Basic Definitions Brugada ECG Pattern Primary repolarization abnormality Genetic sodium-channel disorder Characteristic ST-segment elevation in V1–V3 Risk of ventricular fibrillation and sudden death Incomplete RBBB (iRBBB) Depolarization abnormality Delay in right ventricular conduction Common in healthy individuals Usually asymptomatic and benign --- 2. ECG Morphology: Side-by-Side Comparison QRS Duration Brugada: QRS usually <120 ms iRBBB: QRS <120 ms, but with RBBB morphology --- V1–V2 Pattern (Key Differentiator) Brugada Pseudo-RBBB appearance ST elevation ≥2 mm ST segment is coved or saddleback Terminal QRS bl...
Acute Treatment of Hyperkalemia – A Practical, Bedside-Oriented Guide Hyperkalemia is a potentially life-threatening electrolyte abnormality that demands prompt recognition and decisive management. The danger lies not only in the absolute potassium value but in its effects on cardiac conduction, which can rapidly progress to fatal arrhythmias. Acute treatment focuses on three parallel goals: stabilizing the cardiac membrane, shifting potassium into cells, and removing excess potassium from the body. Understanding this stepwise approach helps clinicians act quickly and rationally in emergency settings. Why Hyperkalemia Is Dangerous Potassium plays a key role in maintaining the resting membrane potential of cardiac myocytes. Elevated serum potassium reduces the transmembrane gradient, leading to slowed conduction, ECG changes, ventricular arrhythmias, and asystole. Importantly, ECG changes do not always correlate with potassium levels, so treatment decisions should be based on clinical c...
Very good case
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