Over 3 semesters, the program covers the Fundamentals of Ultrasound scanning and 6 essential clinical applications encountered in Cardiothoracic Surgery including:
Post Graduate Certificate
Postgraduate Certificate in Point of Care Ultrasound for Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Core ECHO
- Inferior Vena Cava Ultrasound
- Lung & Chest Wall Ultrasound
- Intermediate ECHO
- Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Access
- Ultrasound-Guided Procedures
Key Information
Duration:
12 Months
Starting:
January
Venue:
The Notch Conference Center, Kappara
Price:
€2875
Register Here
Course Information
- Limited to 5 candidates per course for effective mentorship
- Blend of online lectures/webinars and in-person
- Segmented online lectures aid self-paced learning
- Online portal for resources, mentor interaction, and submissions
- Each candidate is assigned an experienced mentor for year-long guidance
- Facilitation of access to practice machines
- 7-9 in-person intensive practice days per course
- Mandatory practice logbook with scans and pathologies
- Final exam with practical and theoretical elements for course completion.
Clinical Applications
Core ECHO
- Recognise the value of the various cardiac views in evaluating different cardiac structures
- Define the sonoanatomy and recognise the cardiac structures in all cardiac views
- Understand the changes in the cardiac chambers and valves during the cardiac cycle
- Define the normal upper limits for diameters and ratio of the cardiac structures
- Define the sonographic parameters for normal LV contractility
- Understand the sonographic basis for the evaluation of Ejection fraction
- Acquire good quality parasternal long and short axis views of the heart using a stepwise approach
- Appreciate the impact of specific probe movements on the appearance of the cardiac structures in order gain more control on the quality of the images
- Acquire a subcostal view of the heart
- Adopt the DEFG structured diagnostic approach for the measurement and evaluation of cardiac dimensions, assessment of LV contractility as well as presence of pericardial effusions
- Identify a dilated aorta root to assist with the diagnosis of thoracic aortic aneurysms and Stanford A dissections
- Identify a dilated LA and be able to integrate the finding within the specific clinical context to understand the implications
- Identify a dilated LV for the diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy
- Evaluate the systolic function/contractility to diagnose heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
- Identify and grade pericardial effusions
- Recognise sonographic features of tamponade
Inferior Vena Cava Ultrasound
- Evidence base for IVC scanning
- Understand the impact of respiratory physiology on the IVC
- Identify and correctly measure the IVC
- Define the maximal diameter and collapsibility index of the IVC in normovolemia and hypovolemia in both ventilated and unventilated patients
- Recognise the limitations of IVC scanning and the impact of raised pulmonary pressures on its use
- Integrate the findings within the broader clinical context
- Issue a report using the correct terminology
Lung and Chest Wall Ultrasound
- Appreciate the evidence base for lung ultrasound and musculo-skeletal ultrasound of the chest wall
- Understand the anatomy and sonoanatomy of the pleaura, lung and chest wall
- Appreciate the surface landmarks delineating the 12 lung zones and the corresponding pulmonary anatomy
- Use a step wise structured approach for the evaluation of each lung zone
- Recognise the sonographic appearances of various pathologies including pneumothorax, pleural effusion, pulmonary oedema, consolidation, fibrosis, contusion, pneumonitis and ARDS
- Evaluate the chest wall for trauma including muscle contusion and fractures or ribs and sternum
- Integrate the findings with the clinical context to assist diagnosis
Intermediate ECHO
- Perform the apical 2, 4 & 5 chamber views
- Define the sonoanatomy and recognise the cardiac structures in these cardiac views
- Adopt the DEFG approach to further evaluate the cardiac structure and function
- Identify left ventricular hypertrophy and recognise cardiomyopathy
- Use Fractional Shortening in M mode to estimate the systolic function
- Identify anatomical features suggestive of diastolic dysfunction
- Identify the different regions of the heart on the different views and their correlation with vascular supply
- Appreciate regional wall motion abnormalities
- Appreciate the normal and abnormal sonoanatomy of cardiac valves
- Diagnose and grade specific valve pathology using colour flow doppler
Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Access
- Recognize the evidence base underpinning the use of US in central and peripheral venous access
- Understand the necessity of infection control measures and sterility
- Differentiate veins, arteries, nerves, muscles and tendons
- Evaluate the venous anatomy of the upper limb veins in a systematic way using ultrasound
- Assess peripheral vein suitability using the WASPS approach
- Identify and evaluate the radial and ulnar artery with a view to arterial cannulation
- Optimising probe to vessel alignment for access
- Utilise in-plane and out-of-plane approaches for guided vascular access and interventions
- Use ultrasound to confirm successful cannulation
Ultrasound-Guided Procedural Relevant to Cardiothoracics
- Apply the in plane and out of plane technique to procedures
- Map the chest wall, diaphragm and effusion location and depth prior to thoracocentesis
- Assist thoracocentesis with ultrasound using a static approach or real time guidance
- Use ultrasound to guide pleural aspiration
- Use ultrasound to assist pleural biopsy
- Understand the use of ultrasound for guided pericardiocentesis
