USMLE Step 1 Pharmacology – Cardiovascular System

USMLE provides an outline of the USMLE Step 1 Content. The outline breaks down the exam into systems.  This page will review the cardiovascular system section of the USMLE Step 1 outline as it relates to pharmacology.

Cardiovascular System

Here is a look at a summary of USMLE outline for the cardiovascular system section with a focus on pharmacology related topics.

Infectious Disorders

• Bacterial endocarditis/myocarditis

Dysrhythmias

• Atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter
• Ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation
• Torsades de pointes
• Bradycardia
• AV Block

Heart Failure

• Congestive heart failure
• Thyrotoxicosis induced heart failure
• Cardiogenic pulmonary edema

Ischemic Heart Disease

• Acute coronary syndromes
  • Acute myocardial infarction
  • Unstable angina
• Stable angina

Diseases of the Myocardium

• Myocarditis
• Hypertensive heart disease

Diseases of the Pericardium

• Pericarditis

Hypertension

• Essential hypertension
• Hypertensive emergency

Dyslipidemia

• Hypercholesterolemia
• Hyperlipidemia
• Hypertriglyceridemia

Vascular Disorders

• Peripheral Arterial Vascular Disorders
  • Arterial thrombus
  • Claudication
  • Peripheral artery disease
  • Hypertensive vascular disease
• Diseases of the Veins
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Venous thromboembolism
  • Phlebitis/thrombophlebitis

Adverse Effects of Drugs on the Cardiovascular System

• Adriamycin
• Cocaine
• Amphetamine
• PCP
• ACE inhibitors
• Calcium channel Blockers
• Alpha blockers
• Minoxidil