Cardiology – PHAS 310
Instructional Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
Describe the normal anatomy and physiology of the heart and circulatory system.
2.
Explain normal heart sounds and correlate the events associated with the waves of
the jugular and carotid pulses with the phases of the cardiac cycle.
3.
Describe the pathophysiology of congestive heart failure. List the causes, clinical
findings, EKG abnormalities, diagnostic workup and medical management.
Differentiate between acute and chronic CHF.
4.
Differentiate between left and right-sided failure and how pulmonary capillary
wedge pressure and central venous pressure are used to evaluate myocardial
function.
5.
Explain the complications of untreated heart failure and its effect on renal and
pulmonary function with regard to:
a.
BUN
b.
fluid and electrolyte balance
c.
acid base balance
6.
Define systemic hypertension. Describe the etiology, contributing factors and
complications of the disease as it affects various organ systems to include:
a.
cardiovascular
b.
neurological
c.
renal
Describe the initial evaluation and step-wise approach to initiating
treatment.
7.
Define arteriosclerosis and list disorders associated with early arteriosclerosis.
Describe etiologic factors in the development of the disease to include:
a.
hypercholesterolemia
b.
hypertriglyceridemia
Discuss complications, prevention and treatment of the disease.
8.
Describe the etiology, risk factors, clinical features and treatment associated with
pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale.
9.
Describe the Goodwin classification of myocardial disease (dilated, restrictive and
hypertrophic cardiomyopathies) to include their pathophysiology, etiologies,
diagnostic workup and treatment.
10.
Describe the etiology, laboratory studies, clinical features, course, prognosis and
treatment of valvular lesions of the heart to include:
a.
mitral stenosis/regurgitation
b.
aortic stenosis/regurgitation
c.
mitral valve prolapse
Discuss complications of prosthetic valve replacement.
11.
Define rheumatic fever and identify its etiology.
List the Jones criteria and explain each clinical feature. Discuss the course,
prognosis, treatment and prevention of the disease.
12.
List the clinical classification, etiologies, cardinal manifestations and treatment of
pericarditis.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
Define endocarditis. List the most common etiology, clinical manifestation,
differential diagnosis and indication for emergency therapy and prophylaxis.
For the following non-invasive cardiac examination methods that include
roentgenography, echocardiography, radionucleotide tests, discuss the indications
and techniques for:
a.
stress tests
b.
MUGA scans
c.
thallium scans
d.
dipyridamole thallium scans
e.
MRIs
List the indications and diagnostic value for Holter monitoring and signal
averaged EKG.
Describe cardiac catheterization and list the indications, contraindications,
diagnostic, therapeutic applications and complications of the procedure.
List the classifications of shock based on etiology (i.e. cardiogenic, extracardiac
obstructive, oligemic, and distributive shock). Discuss the hemodynamic profiles,
clinical manifestations and specific management of each.
List commonly used vasopressor agents used to treat shock.
Discuss cardiovascular and hemodynamic changes in pregnancy, complications of
maternal cardiac disease with pregnancy and their management.
Describe the risk factors and etiology of coronary heart disease and myocardial
infarction.
Describe the clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis, laboratory findings,
prognosis and management of coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction.
Identify the major complications that may follow a myocardial infarction as well
as the treatment and prognosis for each.
List the indications, patient selection criteria, risk and efficacy of angioplasty and
bypass surgery. Discuss cardiac rehabilitation and its role post-operatively and
post-myocardial infarction.
Describe the risks of surgery in the cardiac patient. Describe the preoperative
investigations and optimization of the cardiac patient.
Describe the indications and selection of a candidate for cardiac transplant. List
early and late course complications of the procedure.
Explain the electrical activity of the heart as recorded on an EKG tracing. Define
the normal wave forms, duration and interval for each component of the tracing.
Explain the vector concept and electrical axis of the normal EKG and significance
of abnormalities of the axis.
Measure atrial and ventricular rates.
Identify rate, rhythm and conduction disturbances of the ventricle and atria to
include:
a.
asystole
b.
atrial premature contractions (APCs)
c.
ventricular premature contractions (VPCs)
d.
heart blocks
e.
flutters
f.
fibrillations
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
g.
bundle branch blocks
h.
hemiblocks
Identify EKG manifestations of ventricular hypertrophy (left and right). List most
common causes of each.
Identify EKG findings associated with myocardial ischemia and infarction.
Locate the infarct. Distinguish between an acute and old MI.
Identify the EKG findings seen in digitalis toxicity and electrolyte disturbances.
Discuss treatment of these arrhythmias or disturbances.
Identify changes on an EKG associated with atrial enlargement. Explain Ppulmonale and P-mitrale.
Describe the classification, etiology, clinical manifestations and treatment of the
diseases of the aorta to include:
a.
aneurysms
b.
aortic dissection
c.
aortic occlusions
d.
aortitis