ABIM Cardiology case studies
ABIM Cardiology · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The ABIM Cardiovascular Disease Certification Examination is a subspecialty certification assessment for physicians who are eligible to sit for an ABIM subspecialty examination and want to demonstrate the knowledge, clinical judgment, and skills essential for high-quality cardiovascular care. Passing it leads to ABIM diplomate status, and the certificate remains valid as long as the diplomate continues to participate in Maintenance of Certification. The exam is not a single multiple-choice day. It lasts one and a half days: one day is four two-hour multiple-choice sessions, up to 60 questions each and approximately 10 hours total; a separate day adds an electrocardiogram session of up to 35 cases and an imaging studies session of up to 37 cases, approximately five hours total. The ABIM Cardiology case studies are 5 cases and about 2,216 words.
1Chest Pain With Active Gastrointestinal Bleeding
62-year-old man with diabetes, hypertension, and a 40-pack-year smoking history presents with two hours of substernal pressure, nausea, and diaphoresis. He is diaphoretic and anxious.
567 words, about 3 min2Worsening Heart Failure, Hyperkalemia, and a Wide QRS
68-year-old man with HFrEF (LVEF 30%) from ischemic cardiomyopathy is seen 1 week after discharge for decompensated heart failure. He is euvolemic on exam.
504 words, about 3 min3Inappropriate ICD Shocks From Rapid Atrial Fibrillation
64-year-old man with prior anterior MI and an ICD for secondary prevention receives three shocks while awake at home. He feels palpitations and lightheadedness but no syncope.
388 words, about 2 min4Low-Flow, Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis With a Coronary Lesion
79-year-old man with known severe aortic stenosis presents with progressive dyspnea on exertion and one episode of syncope while climbing stairs. BP 118/70, HR 76, soft S2, grade 3/6 late-peaking systolic murmur.
415 words, about 2 min5Submassive Pulmonary Embolism After Knee Surgery
58-year-old woman presents with abrupt dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain three days after arthroscopic knee surgery. HR 118, BP 104/66, RR 24, SpO2 92% on room air.
342 words, about 2 min