Cardiology

Rotation:  MED 403-2

Length: 2 or 4 weeks

Goals: The goal of this rotation is to provide you with an understanding of common cardiology problems, how to make the diagnosis and understand initial management strategies. After this rotation, you will gain valuable history taking and cardiac physical examination skills. In addition, you will understand the:

• Common symptoms of congenital heart defect and heart failure.
• Normal cardiac anatomy and physiology.
• Anatomy and physiology of the common congenital and acquired heart disease.
• Basic and some common advanced diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and assessment of severity of congenital heart defects.
• Concept of heart failure, its presentation and basics of management of acute and chronic heart failure.
• Relationship of the ductus arteriosus in complex congenital heart defects and concept of ductal dependent systemic and pulmonary circulation.
• Basic EKG interpretation and management of common pediatric arrhythmia diagnosis will be stressed during this rotation.

Objectives: To develop an understanding and competency in:

• Obtaining a focused cardiac history, cardiac physical examination with emphasis in heart murmur assessment and differentiation between innocent heart murmurs and pathologic heart murmurs.
• Interpretation of a normal EKG and diagnosis of common arrhythmia.
• Creating a management strategy for congenital heart defects.
• Assessing patients for potential ductal dependent congenital cardiac defects.

Additional Information and Description: You will have the opportunity to observe cardiac catheterization, cardiac surgical and electrophysiological procedures.