Recognizing Early Signs of Trouble from Sean G. Smith & Tom F. Gutchewsky

Module 1: Acute Cardiac Pathology

• Review angiogram films to identify specific pathology including culprit vs. chronic lesions
• Identify changes of acute MV regurgitation caused by myocardial ischemia on echocardiogram
• Observe how an intra-aortic balloon pump can stabilize a patient with ventral septal defect caused by MI prior to surgery
• Discuss which drugs are most beneficial for specific conditions and adhere to AHA recommendations

Module 2: Aortic Dissection

• Stanford types A and B – including common causes, which patients are at risk, and typical presenting symptoms
• Review diagnostic techniques and images including echocardiogram, TEE, and CT scans for pathological findings
• Which patients require emergency surgery vs. medical management?
• Explore the latest surgical techniques used in treatment

Module 3: Cardiac Tamponade

• Identify the symptoms of cardiac tamponade including the components of Beck’s triad
• Learn the causes of pericardial tamponade
• Review diagnostic echocardiogram and CT images
• Appropriate treatments including pericardiocentesis and pericardial window surgical procedures

Module 4: Cardiogenic Shock

• Understand the multiple causes of cardiogenic shock to identify early symptoms
• Compare the function of diagnostic techniques, including echocardiogram and swan ganz catheters
• Gain insight into typical and more advanced treatments including fluid resuscitation, medication, interventions, intra-aortic balloon pumps, ECMO, and VADs

Module 5: Cardiac Arrhythmias

• Identify acute cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation/flutter, 3rd-degree heart block and ventricular tachycardia by EKG findings
• Review common etiologies and risk factors
• Explore treatment options including medication, electricity, and ablation procedures

Module 1: Neuroanatomy

• Summarize neuroanatomy as applicable to complex neurological patients
• Overview of the nervous system: Central Nervous System, Peripheral Nervous System, and Autonomic Nervous System
• Identify function, formation, properties, and flow of cerebral spinal fluid

Module 2: Neurological Assessment

• Review neurologic assessment strategies and changes associated with pathological conditions
• What you need to do with your assessment results

Module 3: Overview of Seizures

• Specify the clinical presentation and treatment recommendations for seizure types and epilepsy
• Go over what your responsibilities are before, during, and after your patient has a seizure
• How to, and what to be cautious about with post traumatic seizure medications

Module 4: Brain Injuries, Spinal Cord Injuries, and Lesions

• Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a brain injury
• Identify essential management strategies for patients with spinal cord injury and head injuries
• Discuss secondary injuries of spinal cord and brain trauma

Module 5: Critical Care Management of the Neuroscience Patient

• Correlate increased intracranial pressures with expected causes and critical care management
• Overview of causes, symptoms, and management of Diabetes Insipidus

Module 6: Migraines and Headaches

• Identify essential management strategies for patients with complicated headache & migraines
• Review the diagnostic criteria and management strategies for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis