CSC Risk Assessment & Management 3

Question 1

The Framingham Risk Score estimates 10-year risk of which primary cardiovascular endpoint?

Accepted Answer

Hard coronary heart disease events (MI and coronary death)

Answer

The traditional Framingham Risk Score estimates the 10-year probability of hard coronary heart disease events, specifically myocardial infarction and coronary death.

Question 2

A 70-year-old patient with stable angina is found to have a SYNTAX score of 34. What does this imply for revascularization strategy?

Accepted Answer

CABG is associated with better outcomes than PCI

Answer

A SYNTAX score ≥33 (high complexity) indicates that CABG is associated with lower rates of MACE compared to PCI, per ESC/ACC guidelines.

Question 3

Which perioperative cardiac risk factor carries the GREATEST independent weight in the Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI)?

Accepted Answer

History of ischemic heart disease

Answer

History of ischemic heart disease is one of six equally weighted independent predictors in the RCRI; all six items carry equal weight in the index.

Question 4

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) values ≤0.80 indicate hemodynamically significant stenosis. What is the clinical implication for risk management?

Accepted Answer

Revascularization reduces the risk of future MI and death

Answer

FFR-guided revascularization for lesions ≤0.80 has been shown in trials like FAME to reduce major adverse cardiac events compared to medical therapy alone.

Question 5

Which biomarker has been validated as an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic heart failure beyond BNP/NT-proBNP?

Accepted Answer

Galectin-3

Answer

Galectin-3 is a validated biomarker of myocardial fibrosis and inflammation independently predictive of cardiovascular mortality in chronic heart failure.

CSC - Cardiac Subspecialty Certification Exam Practice Test

CSC - Cardiac Subspecialty Certification Exam Practice Test

CSC Risk Assessment & Management 3