Syllabus
Course Title:
Pharmacology in Echocardiography
Course Number:
DCS 501
Clock Hours:
40 Didactic
Quarter Units:
4.0 Credits
Prerequisite:
DMS 400, DMS 401, DMS 402
Facilitator of Learning:
Narayana Prasad MB BS,RDMS,RDCS,RVT,RCS,RVS,RCCS,FASE
Office Hours:
Confirm office hours with instructor and by appointment
Contact Info:
@kp.org or (510) 231-5000
Required Text Book
1. Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 4rd Edition, By Catherine M Otto, MD
2. Pocket book of Echocardiogpher Reference Terry Reynolds, 2008
3.
Course Description
This Course involves understanding of clinical pharmacology. Pharmacology, indications and contraindications of
common Drugs used in Cardiac patients. Pharmacology of provocative stress agents and their uses/adverse effects
will be discussed. This course also discusses potential side effects of cardiac medications on the Cardiac function
and the related Echocardiographic findings
Course Objectives
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Discuss basic pharmacology specific to cardiology
Discuss the pharmacodynamics and pharmacocokinetics of Cardiac Drugs
Name the list of Adrenergic and cholinergic drugs
Describe the anti arrhythmic drugs and types of anti arrhythmic drugs
Describe the ACE inhibitors and mechanism of actions, side effects and adverse effects
Describe the list of beta blockers and mechanism of actions, side effects and adverse effects
Describe the list of alpha blockers and mechanism of actions, side effects and adverse effects
Describe the list of calcium channel blockers and mechanism of actions, side effects and adverse effects
Describe the list of cardiac glycosides/nitrates and mechanism of actions, side effects and adverse effects
Describe the list of anti coagulants/ thrombolytics and mechanism of actions, side effects and adverse effects
Describe the list of diuretics and anti hypertensive and mechanism of actions, side effects and adverse effects
Evaluation System
Methods of evaluating and grading to evaluate student performance are selected by the instructor.
Methods of evaluation may include and the instructor may use any of the following:
Objective Evaluation Methods:
True and False Testing
Multiple choice Testing
Fill-in the blank Testing
Competency Testing
Identification Testing
Problem solving Testing
Matching Testing
Subjective Evaluation Methods:
Essay and Short Essay Testing
Writing Assignments-Case Analysis
Research and Literature Review
Skills/Proficiency/Competency Testing
Evaluation Weighting
A. Assignments/Quizzes/Professionalism…………..10%
B. Tests…...…………..………………………………...35%
C. Lab project…………………...……………………...15%
D. Final Exam…………………………………………....40%
DEPARTMENT GRADING POLICY:
The average grade of all tests and final exams must be 70% or greater in order to receive credit for this course. The
average grade of all practical laboratory exams must be 80% or greater to gain credit for this course.
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The final grade is based upon passing both tests and final exams and practical exams with the required
average grade criteria if both components are present in the course syllabus.
Courses without a practical/lab component must meet the 70% average for all tests and final exams to receive credit
for this course.
Courses with only a practical /lab component must meet the 80% average to receive credit for this course.
One grade is assigned for the entire course when the 70% and/or 80% criteria are met. Failure to meet the 70%
and/or 80% criteria results in a failing grade and no credit for the course.
ACADEMIC PROBATION POLICY:
Students will be placed on academic probation if the student fails to achieve a 75% on any exam, written test
component or Final Exam. Students will be placed on academic probation if the student fails to achieve 85% on any
lab or clinical evaluations.
Note: No “extra credit assignments” will be given for this course
Grading Policy
Grading policies follow those set forth in the KPSAHS Student Catalog. The grading scale is as follows:
A = 94 - 100
C+ = 78 - 79
A- = 90 - 93
C- = 70 - 77
B+ = 88 - 89
F = 69 - 0
B = 84 - 87
B- = 80 - 83
Successful completion of this course is defined as an average of 70% (C) or higher. All grades will be recorded in
whole numbers, carrying no decimal points. No rounding upward of numerical scores will be done prior to recording
or averaging scores.
Attendance Policy
The attendance policy follows guidelines set forth in the KPSAH Student Handbook. It is the belief of the school and
the instructor that regular attendance and scheduled classes, laboratory activities, and clinical rotations is necessary
for the student to attain maximum success in the pursuit of his/her studies. See the Student Handbook for additional
information concerning didactic and clinical absences and tardiness, 2011-2012 edition page 26.
If a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to obtain all notes, handouts, and announcements to include test date
changes, etc. These should be obtained from the student’s assigned “buddy”. All handouts distributed in class are
available from the instructor and must be requested by the student. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the
course instructor prior to any absence if the student wishes to be eligible to make-up any assignments/tests missed.
Make up exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor. Should a student fail to contact the instructor prior to
missing class, the student will be given a grade of “zero” for any missed assignments/tests. Due to time constraints
and limited resources, missed laboratory activities and/or progress checks cannot be made up.
Students are discouraged from being tardy to classes and/or laboratory activities. If a student is unavoidably late
to class, he/she should enter the class quietly, with minimal disruption. Progress Checks (PCs) are normally
given within the first ten minutes of class. Students who arrive to class tardy will not be allowed additional time
to complete the PC.
Failure to maintain regular attendance can lead to program failure. Students must attend 90% of the total didactic
available class hours. Any student who misses 10% in any didactic course will have their course grade lowered one
full grade. Any student who misses 11-20% in any didactic class will have their course grade lowered two full grades.
Testing
Students must not be absent from an announced examination unless there is a major emergency as deemed
“excused” by the instructor. If a student knows that he/she will be absent on an announced test date, alternate
arrangements must be made before the examination is scheduled. If it is impossible for the student to contact the
instructor prior to the examination, they must contact the instructor as soon as possible to explain the reason for the
absence and to schedule a make-up date. Make-up examinations for excused absences will be given on the next
day a student is in attendance at the school or on a date designated by the instructor. Progress checks missed
due to absence or tardiness cannot be made up and will be given a grade of “zero”.
Classroom Policy
Audio and video recordings are not permitted in any classroom/lab session. Cell phone usage is not permitted
during the instruction time. The students are not allowed to use internet access or browsing during the classroom
sessions unless instructed by the Instructor for the educational purposes. Class schedules and topics may be
subject to change.
Assignments
All assignments due are expected to be turned in at the beginning of each class period. Any assignment turned in
after the due date given (either verbal or written) will be given a grade of “zero”.
Note: Any student assignment turned in without a student name and assigned student number will be given a grade of
“zero”
**SYLLABUS CONTENT SUBJECT TO CHANGE **