Vanderbilt Cardiac Cath Core Curriculum
Reference
First Year
Understand radiologic imaging
 Design/operation of X-ray cineradiographic units
 Digital imaging and storage
 Radiation physics and safety
 Factors influencing imaging quality
 Radiation quality assurance
Indications for cardiac cath
Access femoral artery, vein, radial artery
 Needles
 Sheaths
 Guidewires
Coronary and bypass graft angiography
 Types of contrast media (hemodynamics, complications, cost)
 Types of catheters
 Standard views
 Normal anatomy
 Quantitate stenosis
Left Ventriculography and Left Heart Catheterization
 Volume injected, PSI
 Size, wall motion, EF, estimate MR
 LVEDP
Manifold use
Hemostasis of femoral access
 Manual
 Femstop
 Closure device use (angioseal, starclose, perclose, etc.)
 Chitoseal, Quikclot, Cyvek patches
Hemostasis of radial access
 Manual
 TR Band
Management of periprocedural complications
 Renal dysfunction
 Retroperitoneal bleeding
 Vascular complications
 CVA
Right Heart Cath and Cardiovascular hemodynamics
 WITT data manipulation
 Recognize and measure basic pressures and pressure wave forms
(Grossman – G
CathSap – CS)
G2
CS 5.1, 5.2
G1
G4
CS 4.2, 4.3
G 11
CS 4.3, 4.6, 4.8,
4.9
G 12
CS 4.7
Obtain practice
manifold
CS 14.2
CS 4.1, 14.1
G 7-10
CS 4.4, 4.5
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






(A, V, mean)
Measurement of cardiac output (Fick and thermodilution)
Measurement and interpretation of gradients
Calculation of mitral and aortic valve areas: Gorlin formula
Measurement and calculation of shunts (left to right and
bidirectional)
Understanding hemodynamics in common congenital heart diseases
including ASD, VSD, PDA
Tamponade vs. Constriction vs. Restriction
Pulm HTN w/ vasodilator and fluid challenge
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
Understand indications and adverse reactions for drugs commonly used for
invasive procedures
 UFH/LMWH heparin
 Direct thrombin inhibitors (e.g. bivalirudin)
 Antiplatelets (ASA, Theinopyridines, G IIb/IIIa inhibitors)
 Thrombolytics
 Vasopressors/vasodilators
 Management and prevention of contrast allergy
G3
CS 6
Second/Third Year
Panning, shot set up, gantry manipulation
Anomalous coronary anatomy
Miscellaneous cath lab procedures
 Temporary pacing wire
 IABP
 Endomyocardial biopsy
 Pericardiocentesis
IVUS/ICE
Coronary Physiology
 Fractional flow reserve (Pressure wire)
 Coronary flow reserve (Doppler wire)
Aortography and Peripheral Angiography
Understanding of catheter based interventions
 Coronary angioplasty/stenting
 ETOH Septal ablation for HOCM
 Peripheral vascular angioplasty
 Closure of ASD and patent foramen ovale
 Aortic/mitral valvuloplasty
Multi-imaging modality Cath Conference
Interventional Conference
G 14, 20, 21
CS 5.4
G 18
CS 5.5
G 14
CS 12
G 22-27
Wednesday 7AM-8AM
Friday 7AM-8AM
Interventional Attending Rounds
Thursday AM ( Varied
Attendings – Core Lectures)
Cath COCATS requirements:
Total months Number Performed
Level 1
4
100
Level 2
8
300
Level 3
Interventional Fellowship
Recommended References:
1.
Baim, Donald, editor. Grossman's cardiac catheterization, angiography, and
intervention. 2005. (Access via Eskind Library website)
2.
CathSap. Access at www.cardiosource.com via Eskind Library website.
3.
www.cardiovillage.com