SCAM13011U Companion Animal Cardiology – Diagnostic Cardiology

Volume 2024/2025
Education

This course is a specialisation course at the Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science. The Master is a post graduate education targeted small animal veterinarians seeking Continual Professional Development (CPD).

Content

The purpose of this course is to further develop the skills of the student within the discipline of veterinary cardiology in companion animals. The level of prior knowledge and skills within cardiology from both veterinary candidate level and the first part of the Master-education will further be developed into an advanced level. In theory and by practical exercises to extend the participants knowledge, professional skills and competences within the subject of clinical cardiology at an advanced level.
 

Read more about the Master of Companion Animal Science.

Learning Outcome

Having completed the course, the student must be able to:

Knowledge
• Define, identify and discuss veterinary methodology and paraclinical tools in systematised reflective clinical decision making in companion animal clinical practice specifically within clinical cardiology
• Explain the causes, hemodynamics and pathophysiologic mechanism involved in systolic and diastolic heart diseases/failure
• Explain effects of anesthesia on the heart
• Explain the role of biomarkers in heart diseases
• Explain, reflect about and demonstrate overview of epidemiology and screening of heart diseases in companian animals
• Give genetic counselling  with those companion animal owners or breeders which animals are at an increased risk or either having a heritable disorder or of passing it on to their unborn offspring
• Explain cardiopulmonary resuscitation – basic and advanced life support in companion animals
• Give an insight into critically ill patients and hemodynamic disturbances

Skills
• Apply the quantitative and qualitative methodologies such as performing and applying clinical cardiovascular examination and assess cardiovascular size and function and tools as well as master relevant skills such as intermediate clinical ECG, intermediate thoracic radiology and  intermediate trans-thoracic echocardiography (i.e. understand physics, “knobology” and probe selection; practical and theoretical ultrasound sessions; M-mode and 2D diagnostics (anatomy/standard heart projections, principles); basic spectral and colour Doppler examination
• Assess and interpret systolic and diastolic assessments
• Make clinical decisions, arrive at a diagnosis and consider evidence based scientific approaches in order to plan and administer further appropriate diagnostics, patient therapy and management within the area of clinical cardiology
• Communicate effectively in writing and pass on results to relevant parties

Competences
• Evaluate companion animal diseases within clinical cardiology
• Educate owners of chronic cardiovascular patients concerning long-term medical treatment
• Work independently, take responsibility for, predict, prognosticate and make decisions within clinical  cardiology at an advanced level

Updated literature list will be posted 1 month prior to course start. The participant should have theoretical knowledge updated prior to participation.

Inclusion criteria for Master's Programme in Companion Animal Clinical Science. Degree in veterinary medicine and at least two years of relevant work experience.

SCAM13001U, SCAM13002U, SCAM13003U, SCAM13004U or one of the following certifications in Companion Animal Diseases:
• DVA in Small Animal Diseases, in Danish known as “certificeret fagdyrlæge i sygdomme hos hunde og katte”
• Swedish specialist in diseases of dogs and cats, in Swedish known as Steg 1
• Norwegian specialist in diseases of dogs and cats, in Norwegian known as Specialisering i veterinærmedisin, spesialitet smådyr
• Finnish specialist in diseases of dogs and cats, in Finnish known as Pieneläinsairauksien erikoiseläinlääkäri

SCAM13024U Applied Clinical Cardiology
A combination of theoretical lectures, demonstrations, hands-on practice and case-based practice. Case-study work.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 10
  • Preparation
  • 87
  • Theory exercises
  • 10
  • Practical exercises
  • 15
  • Exam
  • 40
  • Total
  • 162
Oral
Individual
Collective
Credit
6 ECTS
Type of assessment
Portfolio
Type of assessment details
The portfolio exam consists of two parts.
1) The course certificate, which supports, underpins, and focuses on the learning process (learning portfolio). All required components of the course certificate must be approved and include a) a minimum of 80% active participation, b) preparation and oral presentation of problem oriented clinical cases and c) an on-site steeplechase test.
2) A graded evaluation, which focuses on the intended learning outcomes (evaluation portfolio). The graded evaluation includes a) three written assignments on clinically relevant topics and b) a case-log with three cases from clinical practice.
Exam registration requirements

80 % active participation in the on site course activities are required in order to obtain approved course certificate. Both, approved course certificate and a passed examination are required to pass the course. Students may attend examination without approval of course certificate.

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Exam period

Exam dates will be published on the programme  homepage.

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to:

Knowledge

• Define, identify and discuss veterinary methodology and paraclinical tools in systematised reflective clinical decision making in companion animal clinical practice specifically within clinical cardiology
• Explain the causes, hemodynamics and pathophysiologic mechanism involved in systolic and diastolic heart diseases/failure
• Explain effects of anesthesia on the heart
• Explain the role of biomarkers in heart diseases
• Explain, reflect about and demonstrate overview of epidemiology and screening of heart diseases in companian animals
• Give genetic counselling  with those companion animal owners or breeders which animals are at an increased risk or either having a heritable disorder or of passing it on to their unborn offspring
• Explain cardiopulmonary resuscitation – basic and advanced life support in companion animals
• Give an insight into critically ill patients and hemodynamic disturbances

Skills

• Apply the quantitative and qualitative methodologies such as performing and applying clinical cardiovascular examination and assess cardiovascular size and function and tools as well as master relevant skills such as intermediate clinical ECG, intermediate thoracic radiology and  intermediate trans-thoracic echocardiography (i.e. understand physics, “knobology” and probe selection; practical and theoretical ultrasound sessions; M-mode and 2D diagnostics (anatomy/standard heart projections, principles); basic spectral and colour Doppler examination
• Assess and interpret systolic and diastolic assessments
• Make clinical decisions, arrive at a diagnosis and consider evidence based scientific approaches in order to plan and administer further appropriate diagnostics, patient therapy and management within the area of clinical cardiology
• Communicate effectively in writing and pass on results to relevant parties

Competences

• Evaluate companion animal diseases within clinical cardiology
• Educate owners of chronic cardiovascular patients concerning long-term medical treatment
• Work independently, take responsibility for, predict, prognosticate and make decisions within clinical  cardiology at an advanced level