MedInTO Medicine and Surgery

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

Academic year 2020/2021

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Results of learning outcomes
• Course delivery
• Learning assessment methods
• Support activities
• Program
• Suggested textbooks and readings
• Course modules
• Teaching tools

Course objectives

The teaching aim is the acquisition by the student of in depth knowledge of physiology of cardio-vascular and respiratory systems and of epidemiology, etiology, pathogenetic mechanisms, pathophysiology, histopathology, clinical features and diagnosis of the cardio-vascular and respiratory diseases, as well as a rational approach to treatment of these diseases.

INTERACTIVE TEACHING OBJECTIVES: to carry out an accurate diagnostic approach to the patient with diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory system and to develop decision-making capacity.

• To acquire the ability to define the appropriate diagnostic investigations and critically assess their results.
• To be able to discuss the rational and appropriate treatment of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well as the preventive measures.

Results of learning outcomes

The student will acquire the necessary knowledge and the clinical skill for a correct diagnostic assessment and a proper clinical management of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases including the basics of an appropriate treatment.

Course delivery

Teaching is organized in 108 hours of front-end teaching (9 CFU) divided into 2 hours lessons and includes the following modules:

• Cardio-vascular and Respiratory Physiology (2 CFU)
• Diseases of the Respiratory System (3 CFU)
• Diseases of the Cardiovascular System (3 CFU)
• Cardiac Surgey (1 CFU)

Attendance is mandatory as well as the final examination.

Learning assessment methods

Since January 2024 the assessment method will be an oral exam focusing on all disciplines included in the course.

The oral exam will be in person.

Support activities

Teaching does not include support activities, however, students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the lecturers to adapt teaching activities and assessment methods.

Program

Teaching includes the following modules:

Cardio-vascular and Respiratory Physiology

• Myocardial function.
• Spreading of impulse and heart muscle contraction, inotropic agents, ECG and Cardiac Catheterization.
• Vessel elasticity and cardiac work, ventricular energy in relation to preload and afterload, heart failure.
• Heart sounds and murmurs, conditions that can determine a reduction or an increase of cardiac output.
• Arterial pulse.
• Pressure-volume.
• Pressure-flow capillary.
• Blood pressure.
• Genesis of varicose veins.
• Valsalva maneuver.
• Coronary flow and metabolic/endothelial control.
• The coronary reserve and fractional flow reserve.
• Myocardial hypertrophy and coronary risk.
• Myocardial infarction and cardioprotection.
• Blood pressure: methods of measurement and regulation in the short, medium and long term.
• Hypertension, new aspects of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS receptors pro-renin ACE 2, testicular ACE, ouabain).
• The cardiovascular response to extreme conditions: exercise, bleeding and shock.
• Methods of investigation in cardiovascular field.
• Respiratory mechanics.
• Volumes and lung capacity, anatomical and physiological dead space.
• Lung compliance.
• Partial pressures of respiratory gases.
• Gas exchange in the lungs.
• Distribution and transport of respiratory gases.
• Pulmonary flow and ventilation/perfusion.
• Nervous and chemical control of respiration.

Cardiovascular Diseases

• Cardiac anatomy and physiology.
• Diagnostic methods.
• Arrhythmias.
• Syncope.
• Sudden Cardiac Death.
• Heart failure.
• Ischemic heart disease.
• Valvular heart diseases.
• Congenital heart diseases.
• Cardiomyopathies.
• Channelopathies.
• Endocarditis.
• Myocarditis.
• Pericardial disease.
• Electrophysiology and haemodynamics.

Respiratory Diseases

• Spirometry and bronchoscopy
• Bronchial asthma.
• Severe asthma and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Bronchiectasis.
• Bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoal lung infections.
• Pulmonary Tuberculosis and other mycobacteriosis.
• Interstitial lung diseases.
• Occupational lung diseases.
• Lung cancer.
• Vascular disorders of the lung.
• Pleural effusions.
• Mesothelioma.
• Sleep-disordered breathing.
• Respiratory failure.

Cardiac Surgery

• Cardiac valve surgery.
• Myocardial revascularization.
• The basics of Cardiac surgery.

• Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 20th Edition, McGraw-Hill;
• Braunwald’s Heart Disease, 11th Edition, Elsevier;
• John Camm. The ESC Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 3rd Edition, Oxford;
• C Towsend, RD Beauchamp, BM Evers, K Mattox. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 19th    Saunders Elsevier. Philadelphia, 2012.

Further textbooks and/or scientific publications may be suggested.

Moduli didattici

• Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems - Module of Cardiovascular diseases (SCB0212D)
• Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems - Module of Heart Surgery (SCB0212A)
• Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems - Module of Physiology (SCB0212B)
• Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems - Module of Respiratory Diseases (SCB0212C)

• Teaching materials
• Exams and finals
• Go to Moodle
• Visit the forums