Module information
Details
- Title
- Presentation and Management of Cardiovascular Infections
- Type
- Stage Two
- Module code
- HLS255
- Requirement
- Compulsory
Module objective
By the end of the training period trainees will, in respect of presentation and management of cardiovascular infections, be able to:
- analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply knowledge
- perform, adapt and master a range of technical and clinical skills and procedures and
- demonstrate the attitudes and behaviours necessary for professional practice as a consultant clinical scientist dealing with the complexities, uncertainties and tensions of professional practice at this level.
Knowledge and understanding
By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to demonstrate the ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise relevant knowledge and its application to their professional practice in relation to:
- the predisposing factors, presentation, microbial causes, differential diagnoses and management of cardiovascular infections including:
- Endocarditis and intravascular infections
- Culture-negative endocarditis
- Prosthetic valve endocarditis and infections of other cardiovascular devices
- Myocarditis and pericarditis
(the trainee will understand the limitations of molecular methods compared with culture-based methods for bacterial pathogens.
- understand the value of PCR methods for culture-negative infection (e.g. post antibiotic administration; 16S PCR investigation of excised heart valves).
- understand the value and limitations of molecular tests for diagnosis of Q-fever and bartonellosis.
- understand the limitations of the molecular diagnosis of acute viral myocarditis.
Technical and clinical skills
By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of current relevant research, theory and knowledge and its application to the performance, adaptation and mastery of the following technical procedures and laboratory skills:
- the molecular diagnosis of cardiovascular infections
By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to apply knowledge of cardiovascular infections to perform, adapt and master the clinical skills necessary to:
- liaise with clinical pathology colleagues and the clinical team on the diagnosis and management including antimicrobial treatment of the patient with cardiovascular infections
- use molecular methods to complement other approaches (e.g. culture, serology) when investigating cases of cardiovascular infection
Attitudes and behaviours
By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to apply knowledge of presentation and management of cardiovascular infections to perform, adapt and master the clinical skills necessary to manage to:
- liaise with the clinical team on the diagnosis and management including antimicrobial treatment of the patient with cardiovascular infections.