Iran Specialty Board - Cardiology study plan

Map the full acute coronary syndrome spectrum by writing a one-page decision tree from first medical contact to reperfusion, including STEMI, NSTEMI, and unstable angina branches

Derive the electrocardiographic criteria for STEMI localization and list the culprit artery for each territory from memory

Compare fibrinolysis versus primary PCI by listing absolute and relative contraindications and the acceptable door-to-needle and door-to-balloon windows

Solve 40 ACS vignettes covering antithrombotic selection, timing of angiography in NSTE-ACS, and management of right ventricular infarction

Tabulate the major secondary-prevention drug classes after MI with their mortality evidence and bleeding trade-offs

Rehearse mechanical complications of MI (papillary muscle rupture, ventricular septal rupture, free wall rupture, tamponade) by writing the bedside clue, confirmatory test, and immediate action for each

Interpret 20 arterial blood gas and hemodynamic profiles to classify shock states and select inotrope, vasopressor, or mechanical support

Practice post-cardiac-arrest care sequencing: targeted temperature management, hemodynamic targets, and neuroprognostication timing

Build a one-page protocol for cardiogenic shock complicating MI including when to escalate to an Impella or ECMO discussion

Review malignant arrhythmia and electrical storm management in the coronary care unit setting

Classify heart failure by ejection fraction and write the four-pillar guideline-directed medical therapy sequence with target doses and the rationale for each pillar

Distinguish HFrEF, HFmrEF, HFpEF, and HFimpEF by diagnostic criteria and list the evidence base for each pharmacologic class

Interpret a full cardiopulmonary exercise test and a right heart catheterization to separate heart failure from pulmonary hypertension and from constrictive physiology

Outline device therapy decisions: ICD for primary versus secondary prevention and CRT indications with QRS and ejection fraction thresholds

Work through 15 acute decompensated heart failure scenarios selecting diuretic strategy, vasodilator, or inotrope

Differentiate hypertrophic, dilated, restrictive, and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy by echo, MRI, and genetic features and write the diagnostic criteria for each

Apply the 2023 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy risk factors for sudden death and decide on primary prevention ICD

Contrast acute pericarditis, pericardial effusion, tamponade, and constrictive pericarditis using clinical signs, echo findings, and catheterization tracings

Describe the approach to myocarditis including when to biopsy, role of cardiac MRI Lake Louise criteria, and activity restriction

Review cardiac amyloidosis and sarcoidosis red flags that change management

Grade aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation by echo parameters and match each severity class to intervention triggers

Compare TAVR versus surgical aortic valve replacement by risk profile, anatomy, and durability considerations

Interpret stress testing modalities (exercise ECG, stress echo, SPECT, PET, stress MRI) and select the appropriate test for a given patient

Read coronary CT angiography and calcium scoring reports and apply pretest probability frameworks to choose between anatomic and functional testing

Solve 25 valve and imaging vignettes that require integrating echo numbers with clinical decisions

Analyze 12-lead tracings to localize accessory pathways and distinguish AVNRT, AVRT, and atrial tachycardia mechanisms

Apply the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores to anticoagulation and rate-versus-rhythm strategy decisions in atrial fibrillation

Outline indications, programming basics, and troubleshooting for pacemakers and ICDs including pacemaker-mediated tachycardia and lead failure

Describe catheter ablation indications for supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia

Identify inherited channelopathies (long QT, Brugada, CPVT) and their acute and chronic management

Apply current blood pressure thresholds and target values to resistant, secondary, and hypertensive emergency scenarios

Work up secondary hypertension by matching clinical clues to screening tests for primary aldosteronism, renovascular disease, and pheochromocytoma

Calculate and interpret 10-year atherosclerotic risk scores and translate them into statin, antihypertensive, and aspirin decisions

Evaluate lipid management including non-statin therapy escalation and familial hypercholesterolemia recognition

Review vascular disease topics: aortic aneurysm surveillance thresholds, peripheral artery disease, and aortic dissection classification and acute management

Classify congenital lesions by shunt direction and cyanosis and outline the natural history and repair timing of the most common defects

Recognize adult congenital heart disease issues including Eisenmenger syndrome, pregnancy counseling, and endocarditis prophylaxis indications

Consolidate cardiac pharmacology into a single interaction and adverse-effect reference covering antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants, and heart failure drugs

Review study design, sensitivity and specificity, likelihood ratios, and confidence intervals by solving 15 biostatistics items

Complete two timed 100-question mixed mock exams and review every error by domain