CVR challenges: Pathological interactions between the cardiovascular and other organ systems

Course Objective

1. General knowledge of Heart + Vessel Physiology in the healthy situation including exercise
2. Basic functions of endothelium, angiogenesis and its research
3. Cardiac muscle properties and research
4. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction compared to Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction including, Pressure volume relations of the Heart, clinical presentation and pathomechanisms and research
5. Inherited Cardiomyopathies clinical presentation, pathomechanism, cellular background, Acute coronary syndromes, diagnosis, treatment research, heart function and Primary and secondary prevention, Risk Management.
6. Cardiac Arrhythmias, including Atrium Fibrillation and its research models and questions.
7. Stable Ischemia and its cause, including atherosclerosis, vulnerable plaque, mechanisms, effects and research.
8. Diabetes and Cardiovascular consequences. Basic mechanisms, Diagnoses, epidemiology, research questions.
9. Cardiac Imaging options, limitations and research.
10. Lung problems, Lung- Heart interaction, basic and clinical research, PH, COPD and High altitude, difficulties in diagnosing PH. The function and pathology of the Diaphragm, including research related to intensive care.
11. Kidney –Heart interaction, basic kidney functions, dialysis, and Research questions.
12. Aging: cellular and clinical effects on Heart and vessels and research.

Course Content

Cardiovascular failure is the most common cause of hospitalization in Western societies and, despite advances in treatments, the prognosis of patients with heart failure remains poor. Progressive deterioration in vascular and myocardial function is a crucial feature of chronic heart failure and is the result of many different pathological processes affecting the vessels and muscle of the heart. Due to changes in lifestyle–leading to obesity, hypertension, and diabetes–cardiac and vascular problems now frequently arise at a relatively young age. As life expectancy has increased, this aging population has become characterized by chronic cardiovascular disease, causing reduced quality of life and increased healthcare costs.

During this minor basic (preclinical) and clinical scientists will highlight the recent advancements in understanding causes of cardiovascular disease, which not only involve the heart and vasculature, but also the complex interactions between other organ systems (lungs, kidneys). A brief overview will be given on the physiology of organ systems, after which pathophysiologic mechanisms of different forms of heart failure, atrial fibrilation and genetic cardiomyopathies will be discussed. In addition, emphasis will be put on heart-lung interactions, and the relation between obesity and diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The minor is composed of various topics, which are related to research themes within the Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (ACS) research institute of Amsterdam UMC. In interactive lectures and working groups, knowledge will be gained about state-of-the-art diagnosis tools (imaging, biomarkers), current and new treatment options, state-of-the-art research techniques and approaches, publishing and funding and research integrity.

Additional Information Teaching Methods

Interactive lectures, practicals (visits to laboratories and springlab), working groups, writing assignments

Method of Assessment

Method of assessment (min. 5 independent exams) 2 CATs with open questions in English, 1 discussion paper and presentation, 1 written protocol and presentation in a group of 4 students and mandatory presence at workgroups and guest lectures. Presentations of students in workgroups will receive feedback from the teachers. Assignments will be used for working groups to practice scientific debating in English. All content of the working groups will also be examined in the 2 CATs.

Assignment examples:

• Basis and consequences in non-obstructive cardiovascular disease (CVD)
• Difference between HFPeF and HFReF
• Gender differences in CVD
• Concepts of atherosclerosis (inflammation, crystallopathy etc)

Explanation Canvas

This minor is supported by a corresponding CANVAS course, which contains all of the required information of this minor including an overview of the required articles and assignments. The CANVAS course will also be used to post announcements relevant to the minor. You will automatically have access to the CANVAS course.

Recommended background knowledge

Knowledge on basic functions of heart and vessels is recommended. The knowledge of anatomy of the heart, basic electrophysiology (ECG) and flow patterns in the heart are considered basic knowledge.