Core Adult Internal Medicine Disciplines

Cardiology

Topics

• Normal cardiac anatomy and physiology.
  
• Congenital heart disease (especially in adult life and pregnancy).
  
• Cardiac investigations:
  
  • Detailed knowledge of and practical experience in standard ECG, 24 hour ECG monitoring and stress exercise testing.
    
  • Knowledge of transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography.
    
  • Knowledge of indications for and interpretation of cardiac nuclear medicine scans.
    
  • Knowledge of cardiac catheterisation and angioplasty including an understanding of the procedures with complications and pre and post procedure management.
    
  • Knowledge of probability theory, sensitivity, specificity, etc.
• Coronary disease including:
  
  • Pathophysiology.
    
  • Risk factors and management (primary and secondary prevention).
    
  • Use of tests for diagnosis, prognostic assessment and management.
    
  • Management of stable and unstable angina and myocardial infarction including diagnosis, therapy, revascularisation, complications, secondary prevention, rehabilitation, risk stratification, etc.
    
  • Understanding of indications for and principles of coronary surgery and post surgical management.
• Cardiac arrhythmias:
  
  • ECG and clinical diagnosis and management of patients with bradycardia, tachycardia and syncope including the use of temporary and permanent pacing and understanding of the pharmacology and clinical applications of antiarrhythmic and cardio-active drugs.
• Cardiac failure (acute and chronic) - aetiology, pathophysiology and management.
  
• Understanding of:
  
  • Pulmonary embolism.
    
  • Aortic aneurysm and dissection.
    
  • Hypertension.
    
  • Cor pulmonale.
    
  • Cardiomyopathy.
    
  • Cardiac transplantation.
    
  • Pericardial disease (including tamponade and constriction).
    
  • Endocarditis (prevention and management).
    
  • Cardiac changes and problems in pregnancy.
• Valve disease:
  
  • Concepts of aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, investigation and management.
    
  • Understanding of valve surgery, immediate and late management especially of patients with prosthetic valves.

Practical Skills for all Trainees

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
  
• Performance and interpretation of electrocardiography.
  
• Central line insertion and CVP measurement.
  
• Elective DC cardioversion and adjunctive drug therapy.
  

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