Overview

Impaired left ventricular diastolic failure is a common cause of haemodynamic instability in perioperative and critical care settings. It is now a more common cause of signs and symptoms of heart failure than systolic heart failure. It is difficult to diagnose without echocardiography, and even with echocardiography it can be misdiagnosed as a normal heart or hypovolaemia, unless left atrial pressure is estimated. A high left atrial pressure is the important finding that helps to identify clinically important diastolic failure. In this course, the focus is on left ventricular diastolic function.

 

The course starts with the estimation of left atrial pressure, followed by a tutorial on how to measure left ventricular diastolic function with echocardiography. After the tutorials have been completed, read the tutorial on how to report case studies and then complete the 5 case studies which illustrate the different left ventricular diastolic function abnormalities.

 

This is an online course. Upon receipt of payment, the student will receive a “Getting Started” email with instructions on how to access the course materials.

 

Course materials can be downloaded to iPad, Android or Windows tablets or can be accessed online using a browser.

 

Course Units

Tutorials

 

Atrial Function and Pressure Estimation

Diastolic Function Pathophysiology

Assessment of Diastolic Function

Case Study Reporting

Suited to Specialty Groups

 

Anaesthesia

Intensive Care

Emergency Department

Cardiology

Ultrasound