Cardiology in Practice

Week 1 - Feline Heart Disease

• Prevalence, aetiology and pathophysiology of feline heart disease
• Classification systems used to diagnose and treat feline cardiomyopathies
• Nursing care and treatment aims

Learning objectives

• Explain the pathophysiology of feline heart disease
• Understand the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) classification system as it applies to feline cardiomyopathies
• Be familiar with the best approach to a nurse a cat with heart disease and heart failure

Week 2 - Canine Heart Disease

• Prevalence, aetiology and pathophysiology of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
• Classification systems used to diagnose and treat MMVD
• Staging systems used to diagnose and treat DCM in dogs
• Nursing care of dogs with heart disease and heart failure

Learning objectives

• Explain the pathophysiology of MMVD and DCM
• Understand the ACVIM classification system as it applies to MMVD and the staging system as it applies to canine DCM
• Be familiar with the best approach to nurse a dog with either MMVD or DCM

Week 3 - ECG: Theory

• The ECG machine and settings
• Achieving a good quality ECG trace
• How to interpret an ECG

Learning objectives

• Set up an ECG and understand the settings
• Apply theory to achieve a good quality ECG trace
• Understand how to interpret an ECG, using an algorithmic system

Week 4 - ECG: Application

• Application of theory from week 1 to cases
• Anaesthesia and ECGs
• Life threatening arrhythmias

Learning objectives

• Apply theoretical learning to practical cases
• Understand the role of anaesthesia and surgery upon ECGs
• Identify life threatening arrhythmias

Week 5 - Heart Failure

• Pathophysiology of heart failure
• Acute life threatening and chronic management
• Management of patients with heart failure

Learning objectives

• Understand how heart failure can occur
• Identify patients with heart failure and nurse them appropriately
• Recognise drugs used in the treatment of heart failure

Week 6 - Diagnostic Tests and the Cardiac Patient

• Diagnostic tests used in cardiac patients
• How to approach the test and the patient
• Evaluation of diagnostic tests in cardiac patients

Learning objectives

• Perform or assist with diagnostic tests with confidence
• Apply best practice methods to achieve reliable and repeatable results
• Understand the purpose of diagnostic tests used in cardiac medicine

The course will be fully tutored by Charlotte Pace and will consist of 15 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case scenarios, forum discussions and quizzes.

For some further information about our Online Tutored CPD courses - please open the guide below:

ONLINE TUTORED CPD COURSES - PDF GUIDE