Introduction to Vascular Science

Module details

Title

Introduction to Vascular Science

Type

Rotation

Module code

S-V-R1

Credits

10

Phase

1

Requirement

Compulsory

Aim of this module

This module will introduce trainees to the practices and principles of basic vascular science, including the principles of analysis and quality control.

Training activities

#	Learning outcome	Training activity	Type	Action
# 1	Learning outcome 1,2,3,6	Training activities Attend a multidisciplinary team meeting and reflect on the meeting	Type OTA	Action View
# 2	Learning outcome 1,2,3,6	Training activities Shadow a vascular scientist and reflect on their role	Type OTA	Action View
# 3	Learning outcome 1,2,3,6	Training activities Observe a vascular radiological intervention procedure and reflect on the procedure	Type OTA	Action View
# 4	Learning outcome 1,2,3,6	Training activities Follow a patient’s care through at least three of these pathways and reflect on the journey: NAAASP TIA/stroke pathway Arterial patient Venous insufficiency DVT	Type OTA	Action View
# 5	Learning outcome 1,3,4,6	Training activities Explore an innovative technology in Vascular Science and reflect on the impact this will have on practice	Type OTA	Action View
# 6	Learning outcome 1,3,5,6	Training activities Review the effect of a  protocol or policy and reflect on how this guides practice within the department	Type OTA	Action View
# 7	Learning outcome 1,2,3,6	Training activities Attend a vascular ward round and reflect on the round	Type OTA	Action View
# 8	Learning outcome 1,2,3,6	Training activities Shadow a vascular nurse and reflect on their role	Type OTA	Action View
# 9	Learning outcome 1,2,3,6	Training activities Observe a range of clinical presentations in an outpatient setting and reflect on the presentations, including: Diabetic foot Ulcers Critical ischemia Claudication	Type OTA	Action View
# 10	Learning outcome 1,2,4,5,6	Training activities Observe a vascular surgical intervention procedure and reflect on the procedure	Type OTA	Action View

Assessments

Complete 1 Case-Based Discussion

Complete 1 DOPS or OCE

Direct Observation of Practical Skills Titles

• Apply an appropriate infection control procedure.
• Find a pedal pulse with a handheld Doppler.

Observed Communication Event Titles

• Gather a patient history relevant to the specialty from a patient, patient representative, or member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Present a patient history relevant to the specialty to a member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Introduce yourself to a patient to explain a procedure and gain consent for the procedure to proceed.

Learning outcomes

#	Learning outcome
1	Explore the contribution of Vascular Science to patient care.
2	Identify the roles and relationships of the multidisciplinary team in Vascular Science.
3	Describe the working practices of Vascular Science.
4	Examine the impact of innovation in Vascular Science.
5	Review the effect of legislation in Vascular Science.
6	Compare and contrast the practice of Vascular Science with other specialties.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module the trainee will be able to:

1. Apply integrative and detailed knowledge of vascular system anatomy and physiology, including nomenclature.
2. Critically evaluate the principles and practices underpinning routine investigations and procedures used when undertaking testing, diagnosis and measurement in vascular science.
3. Identify and illustrate the links between Clinical Scientists in Vascular Science and other clinical specialisms.

Indicative content

Vascular Anatomy

Venous and arterial anatomy relevant to vascular diseases in:

• Brain
• Neck
• Lower limb
• Upper limb
• Abdomen

Vascular Physiology and Pathology

• Blood
• Blood vessels
• Capillary exchange
• Atherosclerosis
• Thrombosis
• Plaque
• Emboli
• Arteritis
• Stenosis
• Aneurysms
• Pseudoaneurysms
• Trauma
• A-V malformations

Common Vascular Diseases

Varicose veins

• Calf pump
• Valves and venous return
• Venous ulcers
• Chronic venous incompetence

DVT

• Acute and chronic DVT
• Superficial thrombophlebitis
• PTS

Claudication and PAD

• Acute and chronic ischaemia
• Intermittent claudication
• Arterial ulcers

Diabetes

• Type 1, type 2
• Neuropathy
• Risk factors and causes

Aneurysms

• AAA and other peripheral vascular aneurysms
• Pseudoaneurysms

TIA and Stroke

• TIA, stroke
• Amaurosis fugax
• Vertebrobasilar insufficiency

Symptoms

• Risk factors
• Symptoms

Patient Management

• Lifestyle modifications
• Medical
• Endovascular
  • Stents, embolectomy, thrombectomy, atheroembolectomy, angioplasty RFA, laser and foam
• Surgical
  • Grafts, amputations, endarterectomy and aneurysm repair
• Emerging treatments and procedures

Pathways

AAA, PAD, TIA and stroke, DVT, varicose veins and diabetes

Role of ultrasound in assessing vascular disease

• Vessel diameter assessment
• Occlusive disease assessment
• Flow assessment

Complementary Vascular Imaging and Non-imaging Assessment

• CTA and MRA, DSA
  • Advantages, limitations and role in assessing vascular disease
• Microvascular: thermography, capillaroscopy and laser imaging
• CW ultrasound devices and portable ultrasound
• ABPI
• ABPI and exercise test

Additional Vascular Pathology

• A-V malformations and fistulas
• TOS
• Raynaud’s disease
• Dissection

Arterial pathology

• Buergers
• Renal, hepatic artery stenoses
• Organ transplant assessment and pathology
• Popliteal entrapment
• Arteritis

Venous pathology

• Klippel trenaunay weber syndrome

Ultrasound Physics and Technology

• Ultrasound beams
• Basic transducer construction
• B mode
• Pulsed spectral Doppler waveforms
• Colour flow mapping
• Image optimisation controls
  • Gain
  • TGC
  • Focus

Haemodynamics and Diagnosis with Ultrasound

• Stenoses, blood flow and blood flow velocities
• Peripheral resistance
• Spectral waveforms
  • Flow direction
  • Diastolic and systolic components in arterial flow
  • Proximal disease
  • Distal disease
  • Normal waveforms in the lower limb
• Colour flow mapping
  • Stenoses and high velocities
  • Presence/absence of flow
  • Flow direction

Quality of Life Measures

• QALY
• Role of QOL questionnaires and cost-effectiveness of vascular treatments
• Role of screening in vascular disease-introduction

Specialty code	Specialty title	Action
Specialty code SPS1-2-22	Specialty title Vascular Science [2022]	Action View
Specialty code SPS1-1-22	Specialty title Cardiac Science [2022]	Action View
Specialty code SPS1-1-23	Specialty title Cardiac Science [2023]	Action View
Specialty code SPS1-2-23	Specialty title Vascular Science [2023]	Action View
Specialty code SPS1-1-24	Specialty title Cardiac Science [2024]	Action View
Specialty code SPS1-2-24	Specialty title Vascular Science [2024]	Action View