Syllabus · Historical · V4 (2023) · Cardiovascular System
G2 · Electrical Properties of the Heart
G2.i · Electrical Properties of the Heart
Explain the ionic basis of spontaneous electrical activity of cardiac muscle cells.
Written examination
SAQ history
No mapped SAQ history for this objective.
Oral examination
VIVA history
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2026A · VIVA 5
Relevant examiner prompt
How is the SA node action potential changed by high serum potassium?
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2020B · Day 1 · VIVA 1
This viva will explore your knowledge of anti-arrhythmic agents and the electrocardiogram. Briefly describe the phases of an action potential of the SA nodal / pacemaker cell. (Image removed from report.)
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2018A · Day 1 · VIVA 2
This viva will examine pacemaker cells and antiarrhythmic drugs. Explain the ionic currents responsible for spontaneous electrical activity of sinus node pacemaker cells.
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2013B · VIVA 5
This Viva explored knowledge of the control of the heart rate. It assessed knowledge of the origin of the heart rate, its regulation, and catecholamines. Most candidates performed well. Anatomical location of the SA node, ionic currents related to the action potential, structure-activity of catecholamines and dobutamine pharmacokinetics were areas of weakness.
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2011B · VIVA 6
This viva is about principles of electrophysiology in relation to the heart. Q 1 Draw the cardiac action potential for a ventricular muscle cell. Subsequent questions sought knowledge of what is the Resting Membrane Potential and how is it created, to describe ionic mechanism for each of the phases of the ventricular action potential, to draw the SA node action potential, compare and contrast the ventricular and SA node action potentials, and which pharmacological agents affect the different phases of the pacemaker potential.
Sources: objective text from the relevant CICM syllabus; historical SAQ and VIVA wording from CICM examiner reports.