EMT 250 - Advanced Cardiac Care

1. Identify pathophysiological principles of the cardiovascular system.
2. Describe the assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement the treatment plan for the patient with cardiovascular disease/injury based on 3-lead and 12-lead cardiac monitoring and interpretation.
3. Define cardiovascular anatomy and physiology.
4. Identify cardiovascular pathologies and management, and adjunctive diagnostics.

1. Identify and explain the importance for each component of the chain of survival, with special focus involving the first 10 minutes of a witnessed cardiopulmonary arrest.
2. Describe cardiovascular disease and injury as well as the importance of basic and advanced cardiac monitoring as integrated in patient assessment and management.
3. Identify and describe the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system throughout the levels of body organization, including mechanical and electrophysiology.
4. Identify and explain abnormal 3-lead electrocardial tracings as they relate to pathophysiology for rhythms originating from the atria, atrio-ventrical junction, and the ventricles. 
5. Identify and explain abnormal 12-lead electrocardial tracings and axis deviations as they relate to the anatomy and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system.
6. Discuss common pathologies and emergency management of cardiovascular diseases and injuries utilizing electrocardial monitoring.
7. Explain additional diagnostic assessments and tools utilized in confirming cardiovascular emergencies.
8. Explain the importance of proper electrocardial monitoring as it relates to initial and on-going patient assessment, management, and legal documentation.
9. Explain the proper systematic approaches in patient assessment, formulating a field impression and implementing a treatment plan based on the mechanisms of illness and injury for the patient with cardiovascular and pulmonary compromise utilizing basic skills.
10. Explain the important role and operation of the automated external defibrillator (AED).
11. Differentiate and explain cardioversion, defibrillation, and cardiac pacing.
12. Identify and explain the names, classes, mechanisms, dosing, indications, contraindications, preparations, and administration of common drugs used in cardiovascular and pulmonary emergencies.
13. Explain the proper systematic approaches in patient assessment, formulating a field impression and implementing a treatment plan based on the mechanisms of illness and injury for the patient with cardiovascular and pulmonary compromise utilizing advanced skills.
14. Discuss current trends and changes in healthcare, and demonstrate the ability to integrate roles and responsibilities by formulating a field impression and implementing simulated patient care following guidelines, protocols, and standing orders.

1. Introduction
   1. The chain of survival
   2. Early defibrillation
2. Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiac Monitoring
   1. Incidence and types of disease/injury
   2. Importance of cardiac monitoring and interpretation
3. Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology
   1. The vascular system
   2. Myocardial placement, location, and positioning.
   3. Levels of body organization relating to the myocardium
   4. Myocardial circulation
   5. Electrophysiology of the heart
   6. Autonomic nervous system
4. Normal and Abnormal 3-lead Electrocardial Tracings as They Relate to Anatomy and Pathophysiology
   1. Systematic approach to 3-lead electrocardial interpretation
   2. Sinoatrial
   3. Atrial
   4. Atrioventricular junction
   5. Ventricular
   6. Excitation rhythms
   7. Heart blocks
   8. Abnormal wave characteristics and changes
5. 12-lead Placement, Axis Determination, Axis Deviation, and Augmented Lead Placement
   1. Systematic approach to 12-lead electrocardial interpretation
   2. Electrocardial tracings  and axis determination
   3. Electrocardial tracings and axis deviation
   4. Augmented lead placement and electrocardial tracings
6. Cardiovascular Pathologies and Management
   1. Ischemia, injury, infarction (with normal and abnormal electrocardial tracings)
   2. Electrolyte imbalances
   3. Hypertrophy and cardial myopathies
   4. Pericarditis
   5. Trauma
   6. Thermal
   7. Neurological impacts
   8. Blocks and hemi-blocks
   9. Emboli
   10. Artifact
   11. Age-specific variants
   12. Pharmacology
7. Adjunctive Diagnostics
   1. Physical signs and symptoms
   2. Patient medical history
   3. Comparative electrocardial analysis
   4. Blood gasses, metabolic pane, cultures, enzyme, drug levels, and clotting factors.
   5. Radiography, echocardiogram, scanning, and catheterization
8. Special Considerations in Electrocardial Monitoring
   1. Initial 3 and 12 lead electrocardial analysis
   2. Comparative electrocardial analysis from previous tracings
   3. Electrocardial changes before, during, and after patient interventions
   4. Proper patient information and documentation
9. Systematic Approach to Patient assessment and Management Utilizing Basic Skills
   1. Opening an airway and basic adjuncts.
   2. Rescue breathing, ventilation, and oxygen therapy
   3. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
   4. Develop and execute a patient management plan based on field impression
10. The Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
    1. Definition and importance
    2. Operations
    3. Implementation
11. Electrical Management Involving Cardiac Dysrhythmias and Arrhythmias
    1. Cardioversion
    2. Defibrillaiton
    3. Cardiac Pacing
12. Common Drugs Used in the Emergency Management of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Emergencies
    1. Names and classes
    2. Mechanisms
    3. Dosing
    4. Indications and contraindications
    5. Preparations and administration
13. Systematic Approach to Patient Assessment and Management Utilizing Advanced Skills
    1. Advanced airway management, ventilation and oxygen therapy
    2. Vascular access and medication administration
    3. Chemical and electrical cardioversion
    4. Management of cardiac dysrhythmias and arrhythmias
    5. Automated external defibrillator (AED) and Defibrillation
    6. Transcutaneous external pacing
    7. Develop and execute a patient management plan based on field impression
14. Integration
    1. Current trends and changes
    2. Demonstration of knowledge and skills competencies