Back Module: S-V-S1

Applied Fundamentals of Vascular Science

Module information

Module details

Title
Applied Fundamentals of Vascular Science
Type
Specialist
Module code
S-V-S1
Credits
20
Phase
2
Requirement
Compulsory

Aim of this module

This module will provide trainees with the underpinning scientific knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles and practices of ultrasound instrumentation.

The trainees will gain practical experience to safely and competently use ultrasound to assess the anatomy and haemodynamics of peripheral vascular systems.

Work-based content

Training activities

# Learning outcome Training activity Type Action
# 1 Learning outcome 4 Training activities

Perform routine ultrasound QA inspection

 Type ETA Action View
# 2 Learning outcome 3, 10 Training activities

Control the risks associated with performing ultrasound for patients

 Type ETA Action View
# 3 Learning outcome 1,2,9 Training activities

Provide patient centred care and support including effective communication before, during and after a vascular scan,  including:

  • An adult with complex health needs
  • An older patient with dementia
  • A patient with complex communication needs
  • A patient where language is a barrier to communication
 Type ETA Action View
# 4 Learning outcome 2,3,5 Training activities

Optimise ultrasound images during a selection of routine scans for:

  • Arterial
  • Venous
  • Extracranial arterial
 Type DTA Action View
# 5 Learning outcome 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 Training activities

Perform ultrasound scans following a set protocol to identify:

  • Normal extracranial carotid
  • Vertebral
  • Subclavian artery anatomy
 Type DTA Action View
# 6 Learning outcome 6 Training activities

Identify, analyse and interpret the anatomy and haemodynamics of normal extracranial carotid, vertebral and subclavian arteries in a range of patients using:

  • Spectral Doppler
  • Colour
  • B mode
 Type DTA Action View
# 7 Learning outcome 8 Training activities

Draft reports for a normal carotid ultrasound scan

 Type DTA Action View
# 8 Learning outcome 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 Training activities

Perform ultrasound scans following a set protocol to identify normal lower limb arterial anatomy for the fem-pop segment only

 Type DTA Action View
# 9 Learning outcome 6 Training activities

Identify, analyse and interpret the normal anatomy and haemodynamics of the lower limb arteries (fem pop segment only) in a range of patients using:

  • Spectral Doppler
  • Colour
  • B mode
 Type DTA Action View
# 10 Learning outcome 8 Training activities

Draft reports for a normal lower limb arterial ultrasound scan

 Type DTA Action View
# 11 Learning outcome 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10 Training activities

Perform, interpret and report resting and post exercise ABPI on diseased and normal patients

 Type ETA Action View
# 12 Learning outcome 1,2,3,5,7,8,9,10 Training activities

Perform and report abdominal aortic ultrasound scans on patients with aneurysms

 Type ETA Action View
# 13 Learning outcome 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 Training activities

Perform ultrasound scans following a set protocol to identify normal lower limb deep vein anatomy (incl. calf veins)

 Type DTA Action View
# 14 Learning outcome 6 Training activities

Identify, analyse and interpret the normal anatomy and haemodynamics of lower limb deep veins (Including calf veins) using:

  • Doppler spectrum
  • Colour spectral
  • B mode
 Type DTA Action View
# 15 Learning outcome 6 Training activities

Draft reports for a normal full leg deep venous scan

 Type DTA Action View
# 16 Learning outcome 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 Training activities

Perform ultrasound scans following a set protocol to identify normal and incompetent flow at the sapheno-femoral and sapheno-popliteal junctions

 Type DTA Action View
# 17 Learning outcome 6 Training activities

Identify, analyse and interpret the anatomy and haemodynamics of normal and incompetent flow at the sapheno-femoral junction and sapheno-popliteal junction using:

  • Doppler spectrum
  • Colour spectral
  • B mode
 Type DTA Action View
# 18 Learning outcome 8 Training activities

Draft reports for a superficial venous lower limb scan

 Type DTA Action View
# 19 Learning outcome 10 Training activities

Review a local/national guideline and recommend changes to practice in the department

 Type DTA Action View
# 20 Learning outcome 1,3,10 Training activities

Present to colleagues the importance of ergonomics and safety when conducting diagnostic tests

 Type DTA Action View

Assessments

Complete 4 Case-Based Discussions

Complete 4 DOPS or OCEs

Direct Observation of Practical Skills Titles

  • Perform and interpret a normal carotid ultrasound scan following set protocol and draft a report.
  • Perform and interpret a normal peripheral (fem-pop only) arterial scan following a set protocol and draft a report.
  • Perform, interpret and report a resting ABPI to diagnose peripheral arterial disease.
  • Conduct an exercise test to diagnose peripheral arterial disease.
  • Perform, interpret and report a duplex scan on a patient with a known abdominal aortic aneurysm.
  • Perform and interpret a normal lower limb deep venous scan for suspected DVT following a set protocol.

Observed Clinical Event Titles

  • Communicate the importance of ultrasound safety and QA in Vascular Science to a trainee.
  • Communicate with a referrer to gather more information regarding a referral.
  • Communicate scan results to a relevant clinician.
  • Communicate administrative changes relating to clinics with a wider team.
  • Communicate negative scan results to patients under supervision.

Learning outcomes

# Learning outcome
1

Communicate effectively with a range of patients and other professionals.
2

Assess vascular anatomy using ultrasound.
3

Apply the principles of ultrasound safety and ergonomics whilst performing a scan.
4

Perform quality assurance in Vascular Science practice.
5

Apply the principles of ultrasound physics to adjust and optimise an ultrasound machine to obtain quality images.
6

Analyse and interpret ultrasound images with reference to haemodynamics whilst performing a range of scans.
7

Analyse and interpret the results of a range of vascular scans.
8

Prepare the associated diagnostic clinical reports of the ultrasound scan performed.
9

Identify and communicate scan results to both patients and the multidisciplinary team.
10

Evaluate protocols and national guidelines and their impact of vascular science practice.

Clinical experiences

Clinical experiences help you to develop insight into your practice and a greater understanding of your specialty's impact on patient care. Clinical experiences should be included in your training plan and you may be asked to help organise your experiences. Reflections and observations from your experiences may help you to advance your practice and can be used to develop evidence to demonstrate your awareness and appreciation of your specialty.

Activities

  1. Observe the triaging of vascular scan referrals.
  2. Observe a variety of ultrasound scans of patients with known vascular disease/complex patients.
  3. Attend an AAA screening programme list in the community, including new and follow up patients.
  4. Observe detailed QA assessment using phantoms.
  5. Observe compression dressing.
  6. Observe patient care in primary care centers.
  7. Observe patients undergoing procedures relevant to the scans performed in this module.
  8. Observe the communication of scan results to a patient.
  9. Observe care and treatment of a diabetic foot patient.
  10. Observe care and treatment of a patient with leg ulcers.
  11. Observe procedures in a rehab/amputation service.

Academic content (MSc in Clinical Science)

Important information

The academic parts of this module will be detailed and communicated to you by your university. Please contact them if you have questions regarding this module and its assessments. The module titles in your MSc may not be exactly identical to the work-based modules shown in the e-portfolio. Your modules will be aligned, however, to ensure that your academic and work-based learning are complimentary.

Learning outcomes

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

  1. Explain the design, operation and features of vascular ultrasound instrumentation including the importance of labelling images, and the different methods used for storage, retrieval and post-processing of data.
  2. Critically evaluate the accuracy, precision and sources of errors in vascular ultrasound measurements and artefacts produced in images/spectra.
  3. Critically evaluate the safety of diagnostic ultrasound, describe the current national safety recommendations and guidelines.
  4. Compare and contrast the haemodynamics of blood flow demonstrating extended knowledge of how both haemodynamic profiles and vessel appearance are represented from normal and diseased vessels.
  5. Critically evaluate the clinical use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of vascular disease, the linkages with other imaging techniques and the clinical importance in selecting the appropriate technique for the best management of the patient.

Indicative content

Ultrasound Physics

  • Waves and pulses
  • Ultrasound
  • Interaction of ultrasound with body tissues

Ultrasound Technology

  • Ultrasound beams
  • Single element transducers
  • Array transducers
  • Pulse echo instrumentation
  • Image formation
    • B mode
    • A mode
    • M mode
  • 3D
  • Image quality
  • Image optimisation
  • Scanner controls and image processing
  • Imaging artefacts
  • 2D and 3D ultrasound measurements and errors
  • Physics of ultrasound and motion detection
  • Doppler effect
  • Continuous wave Doppler mode instrumentation
  • Pulsed wave Doppler instrumentation
  • Spectral wave ultrasound
  • Spectral Doppler artefacts
  • Continuous wave device controls
  • Pulsed wave scanner controls
  • Spectral waveform optimisation
  • Spectral waveform measurements and errors
  • Blood flow and spectral waveforms
  • Colour flow mapping instrumentation
  • Colour Doppler artefacts
  • Colour scanner controls
  • Colour flow mapping image optimisation
  • Colour flow mapping measurements and errors
  • Blood flow and colour flow mapping
  • Tissue Doppler imaging
  • Power Doppler
  • Vector flow mapping

Safety of diagnostic ultrasound and safe scanning

  • Ultrasound exposure and output parameters
  • Biological effects
  • Managing safety and scanner controls
  • Safety recommendations and regulations
  • Quality assurance
  • User responsibilities

Health Informatics and Governance

  • Image storage PACS
  • Image storage regulatory standards
  • User responsibilities

Haemodynamics

  • Basic fluid mechanics
  • Blood
    • Haemodynamic properties
    • Pressure
  • Flow in ideal vessels
    • Continuity equation
    • Poiseuille’s and Darcy’s law
    • Bernoulli’s equation
  • Flow in real vessels
    • Pulsatile flow
    • Vessel geometry
    • Peripheral vascular resistance
  • Flow in non-diseased vessels
  • Flow in diseased vessels
    • Stenosis
  • Spectral waveforms and haemodynamic interpretation
  • Venous haemodynamics
    • Calf pump
    • Mechanics of valves

Complementary Vascular Technologies

  • Contrast ultrasound
  • Elastography
  • B flow and microflow

Emerging Vascular Technologies

  • Latest advances in ultrasound transducer and probe technology
  • Ultrafast, high resolution, ultrasound imaging
  • Latest advances in flow and tissue motion ultrasound
  • A-I applications

Module assigned to

Specialties

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