Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Explain the action potential in each part of the conduction system including the principle ions involved.
• Define automaticity, excitability, conductivity, contractility and refractoriness of cardiac tissue.
• Differentiate aspects of the conduction system from the SA node, AV node, Bundle of His, bundle branches through to the Purkinje Network.
• Identify ECG criteria of conduction abnormalities including SA block, Sick Sinus Syndrome, AV block, fascicular block and BBB.
• Explain the mechanisms and treatment options of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.
• Explain the mechanisms and ECG characteristics of various escape rhythms.
• List rhythm abnormalities related to valvular pathology.
• Describe ECG changes possibly associated with left and right ventricular hypertrophy as well as endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, various congenital defects and acquired syndromes.
• Describe the effect of electrolyte imbalances on the conduction system.
• Define mechanisms of tachyarrhythmia, such as, accessory pathways, re-entry, abnormal automaticity, pre- excitation.
• Identify various tachyarrhythmia on ECG.
• Identify indications for and methods of implanting loop recorders (ILR), pacemakers, implantable defibrillators (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization (CRT) devices.
• Recognize normal and abnormal single and dual chamber pacemaker function.
• Explain pacemaker functions such as sensing, capturing, rate response and upper rate behaviours.
• Define common programmable parameters and timing cycles.
• List features of lead technology.
• Identify the therapeutic and diagnostic indications for electrophysiology (EP) testing.
• Identify EP test intervals and cycle lengths.

Effective as of Winter 2019