MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Medicine Handbook 1996

Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996


Cardiovascular medicine

Professor C L Gibbs (Physiology) and Associate Professor B McGrath (Medicine)

Objectives At the completion of this unit, students should have a good working knowledge of the cardiovascular system and be able to describe: the normal development of the heart and vascular system; pump function and the electrical activity of the heart; the peripheral circulation and its role in venous return; arterial blood pressure and its regulation; cardiovascular reflex responses to physiological stimuli; the properties of commonly prescribed cardiovascular pharmacological agents; and have an understanding of the importance of working from basic principles.

Synopsis Students will develop an understanding of the embryology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and biochemistry of the cardiovascular system. Topics to be covered include the development of the heart and its conducting system and the development of the arterial, venous and lymphatic systems. The haemodynamics of the circulation and the electrical properties of the heart and the electrical basis of the ECG will be explained. The performance of the heart as a pump and the regulation of cardiac output by intrinsic and extrinsic factors will be covered. Important topics that will be dealt with include arterial blood pressure and its control, the role of the microcirculation, the physiology of venous return and special circulations such as the coronary, fetal and cutaneous circulations. The rationale for the treatment of angina pectoris, congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias will be explained. Basic clinical examples and case presentations will be used to highlight the relevance of the medical sciences to the practice of medicine.

Assessment Examinations (held in conjunction with respiratory medicine) 3 hours: 80% + Viva voce in anatomy: 20%

Prescribed texts


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