Credits Hours: 25.00

Course Description:
Lesson I: detailed description of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, cardiovascular assessment and appropriate diagnostic procedures, and examples of various heart sounds. Lesson II: basic rhythm interpretation including proper lead placement. Appropriate methods for hemodynamic monitoring will also be presented along with a link to the Pulmonary Artery Catheter Education Project website which more fully discuss hemodynamic monitoring. Lesson III: cardiovascular diseases such as acute coronary syndrome/myocardial infarction, heart failure and pulmonary edema, cardiomyopathy and valvular disease. Lesson IV: invasive procedures used for treatment of various cardiovascular disorders. The procedures included in this lesson are coronary arteriography, cardiac catheterization, percutaneous coronary interventions, pacemakers and cardiac surgery.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Describe the structures and functions of the components of the cardiac system.
• Discuss the physiological principles of circulation and the neurohormonal control of circulation.
• Compare and contrast the low versus high pressured chambers of the heart.
• Describe the tracts of the electrical conduction of the heart.
• Compare and contrast the arterial and venous systems.
• Describe how stroke volume is determined.
• Compare and contrast preload and afterload and how they affect cardiac output.
• Describe the neurohormonal controls of the cardiovascular system.
• Name the 4 ?P?s? of arterial occlusion.
• Describe the proper technique for assessing orthostatic blood pressures and pulses and discuss the implications.
• Describe the different tests for assessing the cardiovascular system and their implications.
• Define the cardiac cell characteristics including automaticity, excitability, conductivity and contractility.
• Compare and contrast the phases of the action potentials of cardiac tissue.
• Describe the proper electrode placement for the different leads for cardiac monitoring.
• Define the ECG waveforms and describe the normal values for the P wave, QRS complex, and the ST segment of the ECG complex.
• Describe the proper level of the transducer for hemodynamic monitoring.
• State the importance of the fast flush square-wave test when performing hemodynamic monitoring.
• Describe an Allen?s test and state how and why an Allen?s test is performed.
• Label the components of the arterial waveform and describe the significance of each wave.
• Define how the blood pressure is produced and what affects blood pressure.
• Compare and contrast the pertinent pathophysiology of angina and myocardial infarction.
• Identify risk factors associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.
• Describe the subjective and objective finding as well as the management of angina and myocardial infarction.
• Identify and discuss the relationship between the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and collaborative management of patients with heart failure and with pulmonary edema.
• Compare and contrast dilated, hypertrophic and restrictive cardiomyopathy including the pathophysiology, hemodynamics and treatment.
• Compare and contrast the different types of valvular disease, their causes and their clinical manifestations.
• Describe how to manipulate preload and afterload to improve cardiac output.
• Describe the indications for a cardiac catheterization and the potential complications associated with a cardiac catheterization.
• State the indications for stent placement.
• Discuss the type and components of temporary and permanent pacemakers.
• Define the indications for temporary and permanent pacemakers, potential problems and treatment of problems related to pacing.
• Discuss the different types of cardiac surgery and their indications.