Northeast Campus

Clinical Cardiology

Heart Institute of North Dakota - 1101-B South Columbia Road, Grand Forks

IMED 9314

Faculty Director: Noah N. Chelliah, M.D.

Offered: All periods
Positions: 1

Objectives of the Elective:

  1. Developing skill in the bedside clinical evaluation of the patient with cardiac disease.
  2. Developing a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology and approach to: congestive heart failure and cardiogenic shock, syncope, ischemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease in the adult, pericardial disease, arrhythmias.
  3. A basic familiarity with EKG interpretation.
  4. An understanding of the mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic efficacy, side effects, and toxicities of digitalis and the major cardiac drugs, including beta blocker and calcium channel blockers.
  5. Developing skill in chest x-ray diagnosis.

Instructional Activities:

  1. The student will work up a minimum of three patients per week and review the work-up with the faculty. The emphasis of the work-up will be on the assessment of the problem and formulation of diagnostic and therapeutic plans.
  2. Daily rounds, including CCU.
  3. One hour per week will be set aside for reviewing the selected readings with the faculty.
  4. EKG reading for at least two weeks of the rotation.
  5. The student will have an opportunity to participate in echocardiography and treadmill exercise testing.

Standards of Performance (Outcomes) Indicating Attainment of Objectives:

  1. Skill in clinical examination will be evaluated at the bedside.
  2. The student will complete write-ups on various topics discussed with the preceptor as directed by the preceptor.
  3. The student will answer written questions (take home) on the cardiac examination, syncope, ischemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, pericardial disease, and the use of digitalis and antiarrhythmic agents.
  4. Progress in formulation of the clinical problem and its evaluation will be assessed based on presentations of cases to the faculty.
  5. Skill in EKG reading and arrhythmia analysis will be checked at the daily EKG reading and in the CCU.

Criteria for Grading:

  1. The preceptor will submit a written evaluation of each student to the assistant dean for the northeast campus.
  2. Perform a history and physical examination.
  3. Basic knowledge of cardiac physiology.
  4. Basic knowledge of cardiac electrophysiology.