CCS Cardiac Anatomy & Physiology 5

Question 1

Which branch of the left coronary artery supplies the lateral wall of the left ventricle?

Accepted Answer

Left circumflex (LCx)

Answer

The left circumflex artery travels in the left atrioventricular groove and supplies the lateral and posterior left ventricular wall via obtuse marginal branches.

Question 2

In the context of Laplace's law applied to the heart, wall stress is increased by:

Accepted Answer

Increased ventricular radius and decreased wall thickness

Answer

Laplace's law states wall stress = (pressure × radius) / (2 × wall thickness); larger radius and thinner walls increase wall stress.

Question 3

The 'v' wave in a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) tracing reflects:

Accepted Answer

Passive venous filling of the atrium during ventricular systole

Answer

The 'v' wave represents the rise in left atrial pressure as the pulmonary veins fill the atrium while the mitral valve is closed during ventricular systole.

Question 4

Which coronary artery typically supplies the AV node?

Accepted Answer

Right coronary artery in right-dominant systems

Answer

In right-dominant systems (approximately 85% of individuals), the AV nodal artery arises from the RCA at the crux of the heart.

Question 5

Ejection fraction (EF) is calculated as:

Accepted Answer

End-diastolic volume minus end-systolic volume divided by end-diastolic volume

Answer

EF = (EDV – ESV) / EDV × 100%; it represents the fraction of end-diastolic volume ejected with each beat.

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(CCS) Certified Cardiovascular Specialist Practice Test

CCS Cardiac Anatomy & Physiology 5