General Pathology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 76 year old man presents with exertional dyspnea and syncope. Cardiac examination reveals a late peaking systolic crescendo decrescendo murmur at the right upper sternal border radiating to the carotids. Serum calcium and phosphorus are normal. Surgical pathology of the excised valve shows irregular basophilic calcium deposits within fibrotic valve leaflets. Which of the following is the most likely process?
Answer choices
- AMetastatic calcification
- BAmyloid deposition
- CDystrophic calcificationCorrect answer
- DOsseous metaplasia
- ECholesterol cleft formation
- FPathologic mineralization secondary to hyperparathyroidism
See the full explanation
Get the correct-answer rationale, why each distractor is wrong, the underlying mechanism, and high-yield associations — plus adaptive practice that targets your weak areas — with a free MedBoardPRO account.