Study for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) I. Engage with flashcards and multiple-choice questions with detailed feedback. Prepare confidently!

Multiple Choice

In Kawasaki disease, which intervention reduces the risk of coronary aneurysm?

Prompt control of inflammation and prevention of platelet clumping during Kawasaki disease is what lowers the chance of coronary artery aneurysm. The standard, most effective treatment is intravenous immunoglobulin given early (typically within the first 10 days) along with high‑dose aspirin. IVIG dampens the immune-driven inflammation of the vessel walls, reducing cytokine activity and immune cell attack on the coronaries, which directly lowers aneurysm risk. High-dose aspirin in the acute phase provides anti‑inflammatory relief and, as fever resolves, helps prevent clot formation in the inflamed arteries by its antiplatelet effect. Steroids alone aren’t the preferred initial approach because they don’t reduce coronary aneurysm risk as reliably when used by themselves, though they may be added in IVIG‑resistant or high‑risk cases. Antibiotics don’t treat the underlying vasculitis, and observing without treatment leaves ongoing inflammation and higher aneurysm risk. The combination of IVIG and high‑dose aspirin is the regimen that most effectively minimizes coronary complications in Kawasaki disease.

Prompt control of inflammation and prevention of platelet clumping during Kawasaki disease is what lowers the chance of coronary artery aneurysm. The standard, most effective treatment is intravenous immunoglobulin given early (typically within the first 10 days) along with high‑dose aspirin. IVIG dampens the immune-driven inflammation of the vessel walls, reducing cytokine activity and immune cell attack on the coronaries, which directly lowers aneurysm risk. High-dose aspirin in the acute phase provides anti‑inflammatory relief and, as fever resolves, helps prevent clot formation in the inflamed arteries by its antiplatelet effect.

Steroids alone aren’t the preferred initial approach because they don’t reduce coronary aneurysm risk as reliably when used by themselves, though they may be added in IVIG‑resistant or high‑risk cases. Antibiotics don’t treat the underlying vasculitis, and observing without treatment leaves ongoing inflammation and higher aneurysm risk. The combination of IVIG and high‑dose aspirin is the regimen that most effectively minimizes coronary complications in Kawasaki disease.