Cardiology Clinical - Syllabus
Cardiology Clinical - Syllabus
Completion requirements
**Course Information**
* Course Title: Cardiology Clinical
* Course Code: MEDCCLN001
* Credit Hours: 4
* Prerequisites: Completion of STEP1 CK and STEP2 CS courses
* Instructor Information:
+ Name: Dr. Jane Smith, MD
+ Title: Assistant Professor of Medicine
+ Contact Information: [jane.smith@medicalschool.edu](mailto:jane.smith@medicalschool.edu)
**Course Description**
The Cardiology Clinical course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the diagnosis, management, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This course is tailored for medical students who have completed the STEP1 CK and STEP2 CS courses and are preparing for the STEP2 CK exam. The course will cover the latest evidence-based guidelines and practices in cardiology, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and valvular heart disease.
The target audience for this course includes medical students who want to improve their knowledge and skills in cardiology, as well as practicing physicians seeking to update their understanding of cardiovascular diseases. The course is relevant to medical practice, as it provides students with the information and expertise needed to diagnose and manage a wide range of cardiovascular conditions.
**Learning Objectives**
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Understand the pathophysiology and epidemiology of common cardiovascular diseases (Understand)
2. Apply evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and valvular heart disease (Apply)
3. Analyze the results of diagnostic tests and imaging studies in patients with cardiovascular disease (Analyze)
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments for cardiovascular diseases, including pharmacological and interventional therapies (Evaluate)
Specific learning objectives aligned with STEP2CK exam requirements:
1. Understand the pathophysiology and epidemiology of common cardiovascular diseases
2. Apply knowledge of coronary artery disease diagnosis and management to identify patients at high risk for adverse outcomes
3. Analyze electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretations in patients with arrhythmias and cardiac conduction disorders
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of beta-blocker therapy in patients with heart failure
5. Understand the pathophysiology and epidemiology of valvular heart disease
6. Apply knowledge of valvular heart disease diagnosis and management to identify patients at high risk for adverse outcomes
7. Analyze echocardiogram interpretations in patients with valvular heart disease
8. Evaluate the effectiveness of transcatheter valve repair or replacement in patients with native valve disease
9. Understand the pathophysiology and epidemiology of cardiomyopathies
10. Apply knowledge of cardiomyopathy diagnosis and management to identify patients at high risk for adverse outcomes
11. Analyze cardiac MRI interpretations in patients with cardiomyopathy
12. Evaluate the effectiveness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in patients with life-threatening arrhythmias
**Course Content Outline**
Week 1: Introduction to Cardiology Clinical (4 hours)
* Overview of cardiovascular diseases and their management
* Diagnostic testing and imaging modalities
* Pharmacological and interventional therapies for cardiovascular disease
Week 2-3: Coronary Artery Disease (8 hours)
* Etiology and pathophysiology of coronary artery disease
* Diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease, including risk stratification and revascularization strategies
* Pharmacological therapy for coronary artery disease
Week 4-5: Heart Failure (8 hours)
* Pathophysiology and epidemiology of heart failure
* Diagnosis and management of heart failure, including risk stratification and pharmacological therapies
* Device therapy for heart failure, including ICDs and CRT-D devices
Week 6-7: Arrhythmias (8 hours)
* Etiology and pathophysiology of arrhythmias
* Diagnostic testing and interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECGs) and holter monitors
* Pharmacological and interventional therapies for arrhythmias
Week 8-9: Valvular Heart Disease (8 hours)
* Pathophysiology and epidemiology of valvular heart disease
* Diagnosis and management of valvular heart disease, including risk stratification and valve repair or replacement strategies
* Device therapy for valvular heart disease, including transcatheter valve repair or replacement
Week 10-11: Cardiomyopathies (8 hours)
* Pathophysiology and epidemiology of cardiomyopathies
* Diagnosis and management of cardiomyopathy, including risk stratification and pharmacological therapies
* Device therapy for cardiomyopathy, including cardiac MRI interpretations and ICD therapy
Week 12: Review and Practice Exams (4 hours)
* Review of key concepts and practice exams
**Required Readings & Resources**
Textbooks:
* "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine" by Peter C. Weber et al.
* "Cardiovascular Medicine" by James M. Stein et al.
Journal Articles:
* "2020 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Management of Patients with Cardiovascular Disease" (Journal of the American College of Cardiology)
* "2019 ESC Guidelines on the management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without persistent ST-elevation myocardial infarction" (European Heart Journal)
Online Resources:
* American Heart Association (AHA) website
* European Society of Cardiology (ESC) website
Reference Materials:
* "Cardiovascular Disease: A Comprehensive Guide" by John M. Gibbons et al.
**Assessment & Grading**
Grading Breakdown:
* Quizzes and exams: 40%
* Homework assignments: 20%
* Class participation: 10%
* Final exam: 30%
Grading Scale:
* A (90-100%): Excellent
* B (80-89%): Good
* C (70-79%): Fair
* D (60-69%): Poor
* F (Below 60%): Failing
**Course Schedule**
Week 1: Introduction to Cardiology Clinical (August 15 - August 19)
* Week 2-3: Coronary Artery Disease (August 22 - September 2)
* Week 4-5: Heart Failure (September 5 - September 16)
* Week 6-7: Arrhythmias (September 19 - October 1)
* Week 8-9: Valvular Heart Disease (October 4 - October 15)
* Week 10-11: Cardiomyopathies (October 18 - November 2)
* Week 12: Review and Practice Exams (November 5 - November 16)
Important Dates:
* Midterm exams: September 30
* Final exam: December 15
Exam Dates:
* Practice exams: October 14, November 11, December 9
* Course Title: Cardiology Clinical
* Course Code: MEDCCLN001
* Credit Hours: 4
* Prerequisites: Completion of STEP1 CK and STEP2 CS courses
* Instructor Information:
+ Name: Dr. Jane Smith, MD
+ Title: Assistant Professor of Medicine
+ Contact Information: [jane.smith@medicalschool.edu](mailto:jane.smith@medicalschool.edu)
**Course Description**
The Cardiology Clinical course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the diagnosis, management, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This course is tailored for medical students who have completed the STEP1 CK and STEP2 CS courses and are preparing for the STEP2 CK exam. The course will cover the latest evidence-based guidelines and practices in cardiology, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and valvular heart disease.
The target audience for this course includes medical students who want to improve their knowledge and skills in cardiology, as well as practicing physicians seeking to update their understanding of cardiovascular diseases. The course is relevant to medical practice, as it provides students with the information and expertise needed to diagnose and manage a wide range of cardiovascular conditions.
**Learning Objectives**
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Understand the pathophysiology and epidemiology of common cardiovascular diseases (Understand)
2. Apply evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and valvular heart disease (Apply)
3. Analyze the results of diagnostic tests and imaging studies in patients with cardiovascular disease (Analyze)
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments for cardiovascular diseases, including pharmacological and interventional therapies (Evaluate)
Specific learning objectives aligned with STEP2CK exam requirements:
1. Understand the pathophysiology and epidemiology of common cardiovascular diseases
2. Apply knowledge of coronary artery disease diagnosis and management to identify patients at high risk for adverse outcomes
3. Analyze electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretations in patients with arrhythmias and cardiac conduction disorders
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of beta-blocker therapy in patients with heart failure
5. Understand the pathophysiology and epidemiology of valvular heart disease
6. Apply knowledge of valvular heart disease diagnosis and management to identify patients at high risk for adverse outcomes
7. Analyze echocardiogram interpretations in patients with valvular heart disease
8. Evaluate the effectiveness of transcatheter valve repair or replacement in patients with native valve disease
9. Understand the pathophysiology and epidemiology of cardiomyopathies
10. Apply knowledge of cardiomyopathy diagnosis and management to identify patients at high risk for adverse outcomes
11. Analyze cardiac MRI interpretations in patients with cardiomyopathy
12. Evaluate the effectiveness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in patients with life-threatening arrhythmias
**Course Content Outline**
Week 1: Introduction to Cardiology Clinical (4 hours)
* Overview of cardiovascular diseases and their management
* Diagnostic testing and imaging modalities
* Pharmacological and interventional therapies for cardiovascular disease
Week 2-3: Coronary Artery Disease (8 hours)
* Etiology and pathophysiology of coronary artery disease
* Diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease, including risk stratification and revascularization strategies
* Pharmacological therapy for coronary artery disease
Week 4-5: Heart Failure (8 hours)
* Pathophysiology and epidemiology of heart failure
* Diagnosis and management of heart failure, including risk stratification and pharmacological therapies
* Device therapy for heart failure, including ICDs and CRT-D devices
Week 6-7: Arrhythmias (8 hours)
* Etiology and pathophysiology of arrhythmias
* Diagnostic testing and interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECGs) and holter monitors
* Pharmacological and interventional therapies for arrhythmias
Week 8-9: Valvular Heart Disease (8 hours)
* Pathophysiology and epidemiology of valvular heart disease
* Diagnosis and management of valvular heart disease, including risk stratification and valve repair or replacement strategies
* Device therapy for valvular heart disease, including transcatheter valve repair or replacement
Week 10-11: Cardiomyopathies (8 hours)
* Pathophysiology and epidemiology of cardiomyopathies
* Diagnosis and management of cardiomyopathy, including risk stratification and pharmacological therapies
* Device therapy for cardiomyopathy, including cardiac MRI interpretations and ICD therapy
Week 12: Review and Practice Exams (4 hours)
* Review of key concepts and practice exams
**Required Readings & Resources**
Textbooks:
* "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine" by Peter C. Weber et al.
* "Cardiovascular Medicine" by James M. Stein et al.
Journal Articles:
* "2020 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Management of Patients with Cardiovascular Disease" (Journal of the American College of Cardiology)
* "2019 ESC Guidelines on the management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without persistent ST-elevation myocardial infarction" (European Heart Journal)
Online Resources:
* American Heart Association (AHA) website
* European Society of Cardiology (ESC) website
Reference Materials:
* "Cardiovascular Disease: A Comprehensive Guide" by John M. Gibbons et al.
**Assessment & Grading**
Grading Breakdown:
* Quizzes and exams: 40%
* Homework assignments: 20%
* Class participation: 10%
* Final exam: 30%
Grading Scale:
* A (90-100%): Excellent
* B (80-89%): Good
* C (70-79%): Fair
* D (60-69%): Poor
* F (Below 60%): Failing
**Course Schedule**
Week 1: Introduction to Cardiology Clinical (August 15 - August 19)
* Week 2-3: Coronary Artery Disease (August 22 - September 2)
* Week 4-5: Heart Failure (September 5 - September 16)
* Week 6-7: Arrhythmias (September 19 - October 1)
* Week 8-9: Valvular Heart Disease (October 4 - October 15)
* Week 10-11: Cardiomyopathies (October 18 - November 2)
* Week 12: Review and Practice Exams (November 5 - November 16)
Important Dates:
* Midterm exams: September 30
* Final exam: December 15
Exam Dates:
* Practice exams: October 14, November 11, December 9
Last modified: Sunday, 9 November 2025, 5:47 PM