This unique course will teach you about various aspects of Cardiology & Cardiothoracic Surgery and provide you with clinically oriented lectures and hands-on practical sessions given by some of our finest professors and doctors. It is co-designed and co-organised by PhD candidates in cardiology and VECTOR, a medical student association that promotes extracurricular education in the field of cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery.
Cardiovascular diseases are among the world’s most common non-communicable diseases with an continuously increasing prevalence due to an aging population and poor lifestyle habits. This course consists of a general program in which you will get a better and deeper understanding of the different clinical and research aspects of Cardiology. The lectures will not only give you a better understanding of the basics of Cardiology (such as cardiac anatomy and physiology), they will also introduce you to topics and techniques specific to the various sub-specialties of Cardiology, such as performing and interpreting echocardiography, interventional cardiology and electrophysiology. We will also be practicing dissection skills and surgical techniques in various practical workshops highlighting Cardiothoracic Surgery and paediatric (congenital) Cardiology.
Last year’s course kicked off on Monday with a general introduction followed by lectures on the basic sciences: anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. After the lunch one group went to the dissection lab for a hands-on porcine heart dissection guided by one of the cardiac surgeons, while the other group went to the anatomical museum to study various pathologies of the heart. Diagnostic Tuesday started with three lectures on 3 very important diagnostic tools within cardiology: electrocardiography, coronary angiography and echocardiography. During the afternoon session students got to practice their echocardiography skills using state of the art echocardiography machines. This proved to be more difficult than initially expected! The Wednesday was themed around interventions with morning lectures on percutaneous coronary interventions, coronary artery bypass surgery and an interactive session on decision making. In the afternoon everyone got to make their own coronary bypass on a porcine heart. This was the best rated practical session of the week! Thursday was themed around heart failure and included lectures on the different types and causes of heart failure, its interventional options and optimal pharmacological treatment. This day also included a very special patient demonstration to learn and ask questions on the patient’s perspective. What is life like when you are diagnosed with heart failure? The week ended with a fantastic congenital session containing a lecture on segmental sequential analysis, a systematic way to diagnose different congenital anomalies and a practical session in the dissection lab to see and diagnose some very special tiny hearts.
The pictures below will give you a small impression of a previous program.
After this course you will be able to
- Apply your knowledge on Cardiology & Cardiothoracic Surgery, highlighting the anatomy and (patho)physiology of the heart.
- Apply and interpret a range of diagnostic tools and understand different treatment options for specific heart diseases.
- Practice basic surgical skills, you are taught how to make an incision and how to handle instruments in a correct and safe manner.
- Provide a scientific presentation for medical professionals and student.
This course is designed for
(Bio)-medical students interested in Cardiology or pursuing a research or clinical career within the fields of Cardiology or Cardiothoracic surgery.
Admission Requirements
We expect participants to have basic knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system as provided by their own medical school. A preparatory assessment will be provided to make up for any knowledge gaps and to recollect previously studied topics.
Admission Documents
- Motivation Letter
- CV
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.