Pro-PA Podcast

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Small Bowel Obstruction (SBO), a common and potentially serious surgical condition. You’ll learn to recognize hallmark symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, distention, and obstipation, understand the most common causes—including adhesions, hernias, and malignancy—and identify key imaging findings on abdominal X-ray and CT. We’ll also cover initial management strategies, including fluid resuscitation, NG tube decompression, and indications for urgent surgical consultation. Perfect for PANCE prep and strengthening your acute GI decision-making skills.

#SmallBowelObstruction #SBO #GIemergency #AbdominalPain #GI101 #PANCEprep #PAstudent #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, breaks down Ventricular Tachycardia (VT), a potentially life-threatening wide complex arrhythmia responsible for the majority of cardiac arrest episodes. You’ll learn to recognize key ECG features, differentiate sustained versus nonsustained VT, and distinguish monomorphic from polymorphic patterns. The episode also reviews essential ACLS management—clarifying when to cardiovert, defibrillate, or initiate antiarrhythmic therapy—so you can confidently approach this high-yield ventricular rhythm in both exam settings and real-world clinical practice.

#VentricularTachycardia #VTach #Cardiology #ECG #ACLS #WideComplexTachycardia #PANCEPrep #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Ventricular Fibrillation (VFib), a chaotic and life-threatening arrhythmia that results in immediate loss of cardiac output and sudden cardiac arrest. You’ll learn the hallmark ECG findings—absence of identifiable P waves or QRS complexes—along with the most common causes, including ischemic heart disease. The episode also clarifies the difference between cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death, and walks through high-yield ACLS management: early defibrillation, high-quality CPR, epinephrine, and key post-resuscitation considerations such as ICD placement. Perfect for mastering this must-know shockable rhythm for both exam prep and real-world clinical practice.

#VentricularFibrillation #VFib #CardiacArrest #ACLS #ECG #ShockableRhythm #PANCEPrep #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Sinus Bradycardia and Sick Sinus Syndrome, two rhythm disturbances involving the heart’s natural pacemaker. You’ll learn when a slow heart rate is completely normal—such as in athletes or during sleep—and when it signals true sinus node dysfunction. The episode breaks down key ECG findings, symptom correlation (including syncope and fatigue), and clarifies when pacemaker therapy is indicated. Perfect for exam prep and strengthening your understanding of bradyarrhythmias in clinical practice.

#Bradycardia #SickSinusSyndrome #Cardiology #ECG #Dysrhythmias #PANCEPrep #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Atrial Tachycardia, an uncommon but clinically important supraventricular arrhythmia. The episode focuses on focal atrial tachycardia—characterized by bursts of rapid, regular tachycardia originating outside the sinus node—and also briefly covers multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT), often seen in patients with COPD. You’ll learn key ECG distinctions, common causes, management strategies, and high-yield differences from atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Perfect for PANCE prep and strengthening your cardiovascular rhythm recognition skills.

#AtrialTachycardia #MAT #Cardiology #Dysrhythmias #COPD #PANCEPrep #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, breaks down Atrioventricular (AV) Blocks, from first-degree conduction delay to complete (third-degree) heart block. You’ll learn to recognize the ECG patterns of first-degree block, Mobitz I (Wenckebach), Mobitz II, and third-degree block, along with key memory anchors to keep them straight on exam day. The episode also clarifies which conduction abnormalities require monitoring versus urgent pacemaker implantation—helping you build confidence in managing conduction system disorders in real-world practice.

#AVBlock #HeartBlock #Cardiology #Dysrhythmias #PANCEPrep #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Premature Atrial Complexes (PACs), one of the most common—and usually benign—ECG findings in clinical practice. You’ll learn the key ECG features that distinguish PACs from other atrial dysrhythmias, understand common triggers such as stimulants, stress, and adrenergic excess, and recognize when PACs require treatment versus simple reassurance. This high-yield episode strengthens your rhythm recognition skills while keeping exam prep clear and practical.

#PrematureAtrialComplexes #PACs #Cardiology #ECG #Dysrhythmias #PANCEPrep #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs), one of the most common ventricular arrhythmias encountered in clinical practice. You’ll learn hallmark ECG features—including wide QRS complexes without preceding P waves—recognize patterns such as bigeminy and trigeminy, and understand common triggers like stress, caffeine, and electrolyte imbalance. The episode also highlights when PVCs warrant simple reassurance versus further evaluation, particularly in patients with structural heart disease, and when referral for electrophysiologic assessment may be appropriate. Perfect for exam prep and strengthening your ventricular rhythm recognition skills.

#PVCs #PrematureVentricularContractions #Cardiology #ECG #Dysrhythmias #PANCEPrep #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Sinus Arrhythmia, a common and typically benign variation in heart rhythm. You’ll learn how it appears on ECG, understand its relationship to respiration and vagal tone, and confidently distinguish this normal sinus variant from pathologic dysrhythmias. This quick, high-yield episode reinforces key exam concepts and helps build confidence in real-world rhythm interpretation.

#SinusArrhythmia #Cardiology #ECG #Dysrhythmias #PANCEPrep #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Atrial Flutter, an organized atrial dysrhythmia marked by rapid atrial activity and the classic 2:1 AV block producing a ventricular rate near 150 bpm. You’ll learn to recognize hallmark ECG findings such as sawtooth flutter waves, understand stroke risk and anticoagulation considerations, and review evidence-based management strategies—including rate control, cardioversion, and why catheter ablation is the treatment of choice for long-term rhythm control. Perfect for exam prep and strengthening confident cardiovascular decision-making.

#AtrialFlutter #Cardiology #Dysrhythmias #StrokePrevention #PANCEPrep #ProPAPodcast