Course 1

Cardiology — 13 Modules

Complete cardiovascular study course organized into 13 modules. Open a module to review its study sessions, clinical presentations, investigations, management priorities, safety points and MCCQE exam traps.

13 modules40 study sessions~14 hoursCourse & topics only
View Course: this area contains the Cardiology syllabus, modules, study sessions and detailed topic content only.
1Module 1 — Cardiovascular Foundations, ECG & InvestigationsBuild the diagnostic foundation used throughout the cardiology course: examination, ECG interpretation, biomarkers and appropriate cardiac testing.3 study sessions

Study sessions

  • Cardiovascular History, Examination & Hemodynamics
  • 12-Lead ECG: Systematic Interpretation
  • Cardiac Investigations & Test Selection

Topics covered

  • Focused cardiovascular history: chest pain, dyspnea, orthopnea, edema, palpitations, exercise tolerance and syncope
  • Cardiovascular examination: pulses, blood pressure, JVP, precordium, heart sounds, murmurs and peripheral signs
  • Cardiac cycle, preload, afterload, stroke volume, cardiac output and clinically relevant hemodynamics
  • Systematic 12-lead ECG interpretation: rate, rhythm, axis, intervals, hypertrophy, conduction and ischemia
  • Localization of myocardial ischemia/infarction and recognition of reciprocal changes
  • Cardiac biomarkers including troponin; appropriate use and interpretation of BNP/NT-proBNP
  • Chest radiography and common cardiac findings
  • Transthoracic/transesophageal echocardiography: indications and major findings
  • Exercise/stress testing, coronary CT where appropriate, ambulatory ECG monitoring and indications for invasive angiography
2Module 2 — Chest Pain, Coronary Artery Disease, ACS & Myocardial InfarctionRecognize immediately life-threatening causes of chest pain and select time-critical investigation, reperfusion and secondary-prevention strategies.4 study sessions

Study sessions

  • Acute Chest Pain & Life-Threatening Differential
  • Chronic Coronary Syndrome & Stable Angina
  • NSTEMI / Unstable Angina
  • STEMI, Reperfusion & Post-MI Complications

Topics covered

  • Approach to acute chest pain and dangerous differentials: ACS, aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, pericarditis and esophageal rupture
  • Chronic coronary syndrome / stable angina: clinical probability, testing and anti-anginal therapy
  • Unstable angina and NSTEMI: ECG/troponin interpretation, risk assessment and early management
  • STEMI recognition, including inferior, anterior, lateral, posterior and right-ventricular infarction patterns
  • Immediate ACS management: antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulation, nitrates, analgesia and oxygen only when indicated
  • Primary PCI versus fibrinolysis principles, contraindications to fibrinolysis and transfer decisions
  • Post-MI complications: arrhythmia, acute HF, cardiogenic shock, papillary-muscle rupture, VSD, free-wall rupture and post-MI pericarditis
  • Secondary prevention after ACS: statin, antiplatelet therapy, blood pressure/diabetes control, smoking cessation, exercise and cardiac rehabilitation
  • Special presentations: older adults, women, patients with diabetes, CKD or atypical symptoms
3Module 3 — Heart Failure & Pulmonary EdemaDifferentiate chronic and acutely decompensated heart failure and choose evidence-based stabilization and long-term management.3 study sessions

Study sessions

  • Heart Failure Diagnosis: HFrEF, HFpEF & Causes
  • Acute Decompensated HF & Pulmonary Edema
  • Chronic HFrEF Therapy, Devices & Advanced Care

Topics covered

  • HFrEF, HFmrEF and HFpEF: clinical presentation and common causes
  • Left- versus right-sided heart failure and signs of systemic/pulmonary congestion
  • Evaluation with ECG, chest radiograph, laboratory testing, natriuretic peptides and echocardiography
  • Acute decompensated heart failure and acute pulmonary edema
  • Guideline-directed chronic HFrEF pharmacotherapy: foundational drug classes and titration principles
  • Diuretics, volume status, monitoring electrolytes/renal function and recognizing over-diuresis
  • Device therapy concepts: ICD and CRT selection principles
  • Precipitating causes of decompensation: ischemia, arrhythmia, infection, medication/nonadherence and uncontrolled hypertension
  • Advanced/end-stage heart failure, referral, goals of care and palliative symptom management
4Module 4 — Arrhythmias & Conduction DisordersRecognize common and lethal rhythms, decide whether the patient is stable, and select cardioversion, pacing, medication or anticoagulation when appropriate.4 study sessions

Study sessions

  • Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter & Anticoagulation
  • SVT, Pre-Excitation & Regular Tachycardia
  • Ventricular Arrhythmias, Long QT & Sudden Death
  • Bradycardia, AV Block & Pacing

Topics covered

  • Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter: rate/rhythm strategies and thromboembolic risk
  • Anticoagulation decision-making in atrial fibrillation, including bleeding-risk considerations
  • Regular narrow-complex tachycardia / SVT and vagal/adenosine principles
  • Wide-complex tachycardia, monomorphic/polymorphic VT and ventricular fibrillation
  • Premature atrial/ventricular beats and clinically significant palpitations
  • Sinus bradycardia, sinus-node dysfunction and symptomatic bradyarrhythmia
  • First-degree, Mobitz I, Mobitz II and complete AV block
  • Bundle branch blocks and conduction clues relevant to acute disease
  • Pre-excitation / WPW and dangerous combinations with atrial fibrillation
  • Long-QT syndrome, torsades de pointes and medication/electrolyte triggers
  • Synchronized cardioversion versus defibrillation; temporary/permanent pacing principles
5Module 5 — Hypertension & Hypertensive EmergenciesConfirm hypertension correctly, identify secondary causes and end-organ injury, and choose safe outpatient or emergency treatment.3 study sessions

Study sessions

  • Diagnosing Hypertension & Cardiovascular Risk
  • Chronic Hypertension Therapy & Secondary Causes
  • Hypertensive Emergency

Topics covered

  • Accurate office blood pressure measurement and confirmation with home/ambulatory readings
  • Primary hypertension and global cardiovascular-risk assessment
  • Initial lifestyle interventions and common first-line medication classes
  • Hypertension with diabetes, CKD, coronary disease, heart failure and older age
  • Resistant hypertension and medication/adherence review
  • Secondary causes: renovascular disease, primary aldosteronism, endocrine causes, OSA, renal disease and medications/substances
  • Hypertensive urgency versus hypertensive emergency
  • Acute end-organ injury: encephalopathy, ACS, pulmonary edema, aortic syndrome, AKI and retinal injury
  • Principles of controlled BP reduction and avoidance of overly rapid lowering when unsafe
6Module 6 — Valvular Heart Disease, Murmurs & Structural DiseaseUse history, examination and echocardiography to identify major valve lesions and recognize when urgent or specialist intervention is required.3 study sessions

Study sessions

  • Murmur Approach & Aortic Valve Disease
  • Mitral / Tricuspid Valve Disease & Prosthetic Valves
  • Infective Endocarditis & Structural Complications

Topics covered

  • Approach to systolic and diastolic murmurs and bedside maneuvers
  • Aortic stenosis: classic symptoms, examination, echo severity and intervention concepts
  • Aortic regurgitation: acute versus chronic presentation and management principles
  • Mitral stenosis: rheumatic disease, atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic complications
  • Mitral regurgitation: primary/secondary causes, acute MR and chronic management
  • Tricuspid and pulmonic valve disease
  • Prosthetic valves and anticoagulation considerations
  • Infective endocarditis: risk factors, blood cultures, echocardiography, major complications and when to suspect surgical disease
  • Endocarditis prevention principles in high-risk cardiac conditions
7Module 7 — Pericarditis, Myocarditis, Pericardial Effusion & TamponadeDifferentiate inflammatory cardiac syndromes from ACS and rapidly recognize hemodynamically significant pericardial disease.3 study sessions

Study sessions

  • Acute Pericarditis
  • Pericardial Effusion, Tamponade & Constriction
  • Myocarditis & Myopericarditis

Topics covered

  • Acute pericarditis: characteristic pain, ECG changes and common etiologies
  • Initial treatment of uncomplicated pericarditis and recurrence prevention concepts
  • Pericardial effusion: causes, clinical evaluation and echocardiographic assessment
  • Cardiac tamponade: hypotension, elevated JVP, pulsus paradoxus and urgent drainage
  • Constrictive pericarditis and differentiation from restrictive cardiomyopathy/right HF
  • Myocarditis: infectious/inflammatory causes, presentation, troponin/ECG/echo clues and activity restriction
  • Myopericarditis and when to suspect arrhythmia or heart-failure complications
8Module 8 — Cardiomyopathies & Sudden Cardiac Death RiskRecognize major cardiomyopathy phenotypes, identify reversible causes and detect patients at risk of malignant arrhythmia or sudden death.3 study sessions

Study sessions

  • Dilated & Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
  • Arrhythmogenic / Stress Cardiomyopathy & Inherited Risk

Topics covered

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy: ischemic, toxic, infectious, peripartum and genetic causes
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: murmur behavior, exertional symptoms and family history
  • Restrictive cardiomyopathy and infiltrative causes
  • Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and ventricular arrhythmia clues
  • Stress (Takotsubo) cardiomyopathy and differentiation from ACS
  • Family screening and inherited cardiac disease principles
  • Sudden cardiac death risk, warning symptoms and device/referral concepts
9Module 9 — Syncope, Presyncope & PalpitationsSeparate benign reflex/orthostatic causes from arrhythmic, structural and other high-risk causes that require urgent investigation.3 study sessions

Study sessions

  • Initial Syncope Assessment & Risk Stratification
  • Vasovagal, Orthostatic & Non-Cardiac Mimics
  • Palpitations & Ambulatory Monitoring

Topics covered

  • Initial syncope history, witness history, orthostatic vitals, cardiovascular/neurologic examination and ECG
  • Vasovagal/reflex syncope and common triggers
  • Orthostatic hypotension, volume depletion and medication-related syncope
  • Arrhythmic syncope: red flags, conduction disease and inherited electrical disorders
  • Structural causes including aortic stenosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Differentiating syncope from seizure, hypoglycemia and psychogenic events
  • Palpitations: ECG, Holter/event monitoring and when symptoms require urgent referral
  • Disposition: who can be reassured, observed, admitted or referred
10Module 10 — Aortic Syndromes & Peripheral Vascular DiseaseRecognize vascular emergencies and chronic arterial disease, with emphasis on immediate stabilization, imaging and referral.3 study sessions

Study sessions

  • Acute Aortic Syndromes
  • Aortic Aneurysm & Screening Concepts
  • PAD, Acute Limb Ischemia & Vascular Prevention

Topics covered

  • Acute aortic dissection: pain pattern, pulse/BP differences, complications and initial stabilization
  • Ascending versus descending aortic disease and urgent surgical/medical concepts
  • Thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm: risk factors, screening concepts and rupture presentation
  • Peripheral arterial disease: claudication, ABI principles, risk-factor modification and antiplatelet/statin therapy
  • Acute limb ischemia and the classic ischemic limb findings requiring urgent vascular assessment
  • Chronic limb-threatening ischemia and wound/gangrene risk
  • Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease as a systemic process
11Module 11 — Dyslipidemia & Cardiovascular PreventionApply prevention principles to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality across primary- and secondary-prevention settings.3 study sessions

Study sessions

  • Cardiovascular Risk Assessment & Lifestyle Prevention
  • Dyslipidemia & Statin-Based Prevention
  • Secondary Prevention After ASCVD

Topics covered

  • Cardiovascular risk assessment and major modifiable/non-modifiable risk factors
  • Lifestyle counselling: smoking cessation, physical activity, dietary pattern, weight and alcohol/substance considerations
  • Lipid profile interpretation and common causes of secondary dyslipidemia
  • Statin therapy principles in primary and secondary prevention
  • Management when LDL remains elevated despite initial therapy
  • Familial hypercholesterolemia clues and family screening concepts
  • Cardiovascular prevention in diabetes, CKD and established atherosclerotic disease
  • Medication adherence, shared decision-making and communicating absolute benefit/risk
12Module 12 — Cardiovascular Emergencies, Shock & ResuscitationPrioritize stabilization in unstable cardiovascular presentations and recognize when immediate defibrillation, cardioversion, pacing, reperfusion or invasive treatment is required.3 study sessions

Study sessions

  • Cardiac Arrest & ACLS Principles
  • Unstable Tachycardia / Bradycardia & Electrical Therapy
  • Cardiogenic / Obstructive Shock & Mechanical Emergencies

Topics covered

  • Cardiac arrest: initial response, high-quality CPR and shockable/non-shockable rhythm concepts
  • Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless VT
  • PEA/asystole and reversible causes
  • Unstable tachycardia and synchronized cardioversion
  • Symptomatic bradycardia and pacing/escalation principles
  • Cardiogenic shock after MI and other causes
  • Obstructive cardiovascular shock: tamponade and massive pulmonary embolic physiology
  • Acute pulmonary edema with respiratory compromise
  • Aortic catastrophe and rapidly progressive mechanical complications of MI
  • Post-resuscitation priorities and identifying the precipitating cardiac cause
13Module 13 — Integrated Cardiology & Special-Population CasesIntegrate diagnosis, investigation, management, communication and prevention in complex MCCQE-style cases that cross traditional topic boundaries.2 study sessions

Study sessions

  • Cardiology in Pregnancy, Older Adults & Comorbidity
  • Perioperative, Antithrombotic, Communication & Integrated Cases

Topics covered

  • Cardiac disease in pregnancy and postpartum presentations
  • Cardiovascular disease in older adults, frailty and polypharmacy
  • Cardiovascular management in diabetes and chronic kidney disease
  • Preoperative cardiovascular assessment and perioperative medication considerations
  • Medication adverse effects and clinically important interactions
  • Antiplatelet/anticoagulant bleeding-risk decisions
  • Exercise, athletes, exertional syncope and sudden-death warning features
  • Goals of care in advanced cardiovascular disease
  • Integrated cases requiring diagnosis → next test → acute treatment → follow-up/prevention