Cardiovascular Concentration

Courses

DCS 100: Introduction to Adult Echo Evaluation

Credits 1

An introduction to transthoracic echocardiography including 2D, M-mode, spectral and color Doppler, standard echocardiographic views, measurements, and quantitation principles for each standard view. Includes image orientation, scan techniques for each view and normal anatomical structures and patient positioning. Normal anatomy, anatomical variants, physiology, hemodynamics, and the conduction system will be discussed. Students will be required to complete one mandatory weekend scan lab intensive that demonstrates scanning skills (DCS/minor option only).

DCS 214: Principles of EKG/Cardiovascular Physiology

Credits 2

This course is designed to present basic principles of ECG and the fundamentals of the ECG waveform. The student will be introduced to normal basic pattern and common abnormality recognition.  Cardiovascular physiology, including the physiology of blood vessels throughout the body and the heart, and exercise physiology will be discussed.   

DCS 222L: Echo Sonography Lab

Credits 1
This course will focus on the physical scanning components of the echo sonography field. Students will learn scanning techniques correlating with curriculum that is being taught in the classroom. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate scanning skills on each other and/or phantoms. Students will also be required to comp out on selected sonographic views.

DCS 241C: Clinical Sonography I

Credits 4
This course is a rotation through various clinical settings to gain experience in the performance of sonographic examinations. Clinical experience rotations may include adult echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography, and vascular imaging. During this practicum, students will be assigned clinical competencies and objectives to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of sonographic imaging.

DCS 330: Adult Echocardiography I

Credits 3
This course introduces students to normal anatomy and flow patterns of transthoracic, transesophageal, and specialized echocardiography applications. Students will demonstrate their knowledge for the mechanisms of disease, cardiovascular pathophysiology and hemodynamics, sonographic technique, measurements, quantitative principles, and Doppler patterns in both the normal heart and those with cardiac diseases. This course will cover ventricular function, coronary artery disease, pericardial disease, systematic and pulmonary cardiomyopathies, and hypertensive heart disease.

DCS 331: Adult Echocardiography I

Credits 3
This course introduces students to the mechanisms of disease. Students will demonstrate their knowledge for cardiovascular pathophysiology and hemodynamics, sonographic technique, measurements, quantitative principles, and Doppler patterns in both the normal heart and those with cardiac diseases. This course will cover ventricular function, ischemic cardiac disease, pericardial disease, systematic and pulmonary cardiomyopathies, and hypertensive heart disease.

DCS 335: Echo Clinical I

Credits 1
This course will be held in the clinical setting(s) to gain experience in the performance of echocardiographic examinations. During this practicum, students will be assigned clinical competencies and objectives to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of adult cardiac sonography. A minimum of 200 clinical hours are needed to complete this course.

DCS 342C: Clinical Sonography II

Credits 4
This course is a rotation through various clinical settings to gain experience in the performance of sonographic examinations. Clinical experience rotations may include adult echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography, and vascular imaging. During this practicum, students will be assigned clinical competencies and objectives to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of sonographic imaging.

DCS 360: Interventional Procedures

Credits 2

This course is designed to present advanced techniques which utilize either radiology or ultrasound to perform interventional procedures. Special procedures such as drain placements, biopsies, and cath lab interventions will be taught. Additionally, sedation techniques and patient monitoring will be included. Students will perform a shadow opportunity in either structural heart and/or cath lab.

DCS 371: Pediatric Echocardiography I

Credits 3
This course introduces students to pediatric echocardiography techniques and procedures. Emphasis is placed on the sonographic appearance of the normal neonatal and pediatric heart. Basic scan protocols to include 2D, M-mode, Doppler, pressure gradients, and standard measurements. Overview of neonatal and pediatric patient care include age-appropriate care, patient safety, infection control, patient monitoring, vital signs, assessment, thermal regulation, sedation, and emergency care is included. The segmental approach to congenital heart disease and basic congenital heart diseases will be discussed.

DCS 372: Pediatric Echocardiography II

Credits 2
This course will cover advanced congenital heart diseases and the surgical repair methods currently available. The anatomy, hemodynamics, and rationale for each surgical approach will be discussed in the pediatric and adult heart. In depth coverage of cardiac measurements in pediatric and adult congenital echocardiography will be covered with specific emphasis of post-surgical shunts, baffles, stents, and grafts.

DCS 430: Adult Echocardiography II

Credits 4
This courses introduces the students to valvar diseases and treatments. Endocarditis, adult congenital heart diseases, cardiac masses, sources of embolus, and diseases of the great vessels are included. Normal and altered electrical activation of the adult heart including normal and abnormal ECG tracings will be identified. Intraoperative, specialized echocardiography applicants, and interventional exams will be discussed.

DCS 431: Adult Echocardiography II

Credits 3
This course introduces the students to valvular diseases and treatments including prosthetic heart valves. The pathophysiology, hemodynamics, sonographic technique, and quantitative principles of endocarditis, adult congenital heart diseases, cardiac masses, cardiac trauma, and sources of embolus will be discussed. Common arrhythmia and conduction abnormalities will be reviewed.

DCS 435: Echo Clinical II

Credits 1
This course will be held in the clinical setting(s) to gain experience in the performance of echocardiographic examinations. During this practicum, students will be assigned clinical competencies and objectives to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of adult cardiac sonography. A minimum of 200 total clinical hours are needed to complete this course.

DCS 443C: Clinical Sonography III

Credits 4
This course is a rotation through various clinical settings to gain experience in the performance of sonographic examinations. Clinical experience rotations may include adult echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography, vascular imaging, and invasive procedures. During this practicum, students will be assigned clinical competencies and objectives to continue to master their sonographic skills.

DCS 444C: Clinical Sonography IV

Credits 5

This course is a rotation through various clinical settings to demonstrate proficiency in sonographic examinations. Clinical experience rotations may include adult echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography, vascular imaging, and invasive procedures. During this practicum, students will continue to be assigned clinical competencies and objectives to continue to master their sonographic skills.

DCS 445C: Clinical Sonography V

Credits 5

This course is a rotation through various clinical settings to gain experience in the performance of sonographic examinations. Clinical experience rotations may include adult echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography, vascular imaging, and invasive procedures. During this practicum, students will complete all clinical competencies and objectives to demonstrate entry level proficiency as a cardiovascular sonographer. Emphasis will be placed upon independent scanning.

DCS 461: Adult Echocardiography III / Special Procedures

Credits 2

This course introduces students to utility and limitations of special procedures including enhanced, intraoperative, invasive procedures, and other special echocardiography studies. Heart transplants, cardiac assist devices, and intracardiac shunts and pressures will be discussed.

DCS 473: Pediatric Echocardiography III

Credits 2

In this course the student will explore acquired diseases in the pediatric heart. Special procedures including contrast, three-dimensional, procedures, and other special echocardiography exams will be discussed. Students will gain an understanding of research techniques and opportunities for professional development, including resume and portfolio building. In addition, students will understand upcoming and emerging technologies and the correlation of related imaging, laboratory, and functional testing procedures.

DCS 485: Sonography Synthesis (Vascular/Echo)

Credits 1

This course will enhance the transition of students into professional sonography practice. A cumulative review for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) adult echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography, and vascular boards will occur and mock boards will be given. Students may take all three board exams 60 days prior to graduation.

DMS 360: Interventional Procedures

Credits 2

This course is designed to present advanced techniques which utilize either radiology or ultrasound to perform interventional procedures. Special procedures such as drain placements, biopsies, and cath lab interventions will be taught. Additionally, sedation techniques and patient monitoring will be included. Students will perform a shadow opportunity in either structural heart and/or cath lab.