ABPath Cardiovascular System Pathology 2

Question 1

Which finding is most characteristic of a 12-hour-old myocardial infarct on microscopy?

Accepted Answer

Coagulative necrosis with early neutrophil infiltration

Answer

By 12–24 hours, coagulative necrosis with early neutrophilic infiltration begins to appear.

Question 2

A ruptured ventricular free wall after MI most commonly occurs at what time point?

Accepted Answer

3 to 7 days

Answer

Free wall rupture peaks at 3–7 days when the wall is maximally softened by macrophage-mediated debris removal.

Question 3

Aschoff bodies are pathognomonic of which condition?

Accepted Answer

Acute rheumatic fever

Answer

Aschoff bodies with Anitschkow cells are diagnostic of rheumatic myocarditis.

Question 4

Which valve is most frequently involved in chronic rheumatic heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Mitral

Answer

The mitral valve is most commonly affected, often producing stenosis with a fish-mouth appearance.

Question 5

Large, friable vegetations that can embolize and destroy the valve suggest which type of endocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Acute infective endocarditis

Answer

Acute infective endocarditis, often from S. aureus, produces large destructive vegetations.

American Board of Pathology (ABPath) Practice Test