CSN023 Cardiac Ultrasound 3
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CSN023 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | (CSN022 or PCN259) and (CSN031 or PCN497-2) |
| Equivalent(s): | PCN359 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,744 |
| International unit fee | $4,956 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Online
| Unit code: | CSN023 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | CSN022 and CSN031 |
Overview
This unit is the third echocardiographic theory unit, focussing primarily on the qualitative and quantitative assessment of native valvular disease and prosthetic valves, including limitations of each assessment method and their application in clinical practice. The content extends and builds on the basic principles covered in CSN021 Cardiac Ultrasound 1 and CSN022 Cardiac Ultrasound 2. Professional issues including ethical and legal considerations in the cardiac sonography profession are considered. The importance of cultural safety in the healthcare setting is explored, specifically focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' perspectives.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Perform a specialised echocardiographic assessment that comprehensively explores the diagnostics of valvular heart disease and/or prosthetic heart valve function on a real patient in your clinical setting.
- Critically analyse the use of evidence-based echocardiographic techniques in the assessment of adult valvular heart disease and prosthetic heart valve function.
- Justify advanced Doppler haemodynamic calculations used in real life and scenario-based echocardiology examinations.
- Communicate effectively using a range of written and digital formats expected in the echocardiographic profession to communicate clinical data, interpretations and research.
- Demonstrate awareness of culturally safe practices within the healthcare setting.
Content
The unit covers the following topic areas:
- Advanced Doppler haemodynamic calculations including:
- Valve area calculations
- Quantitative valve regurgitation calculations
- Limitations of these calculations, including how these limitations may be recognised, avoided and/or overcome
- Echocardiographic assessment of:
- Native valvular disease including rheumatic heart disease and its impact on Indigenous communities
- Prosthetic valve replacements, including percutaneous techniques
- Complications associated with prosthetic valves
- Valve repairs
- Infective endocarditis
- Clinical practice including:
- Standard two-dimensional views obtained at the parasternal, apical, subcostal and suprasternal positions
- Standard spectral and colour Doppler examination, including standard and advanced measurements and calculations related to valvular heart disease
- Assessment of diastolic function in the setting of valvular heart disease
- Echocardiographic techniques and calculations for the assessment of common cardiac pathologies
- Journal article composition:
- Develop the ability to research and present findings on a given valvular pathology that you have scanned.
- Case report for potential publication in a reputable Cardiology journal.
- Instructions to the author provided, including the use of Vancouver referencing style.
- Case report example provided in Canvas.
- Culturally safe practices will be explored by:
- viewing a video presentation that was created by a sonographer working in the Northern Territory on his experiences providing cardiac and community health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients living in remote Australia.
Learning Approaches
The unit delivery is primarily in the form of online lectures which are available for you to view from the start of semester allowing some flexibility in your approach to the content. You will perform a literature review on a specific valvular heart disease that you have imaged in the workplace and compose a case report, with the opportunity for submission to an ultrasound journal for publication. A pre-recorded lecture by the QUT Library on evidence-based best practice and how to locate recommended health databases (e.g. UpToDate and Embase) is available to support you in performing a timely review of the literature for this case report submission. It is a requirement of this task that you submit a Mind Map, an annotated bibliography and Studiosity report with your final submission. QUT offers you a writing support service - Studiosity to ensure report structure, referencing and syntax are followed with a high degree of attention. This service is available 24/7 and will assist you in successfully completing this assignment. Mind map formative feedback will be available to students prior to the due date of this assessment task.
In CSN023 a sonographer working in remote Indigenous communities provides an enriching guest lecturer reflecting on their own cultural safe practice and experiences, as well as exploring the unique health conditions endemic in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population (i.e. rheumatic heart disease). This presentation is timely in week 3 of semester, as you will be exploring the cardiac pathology of mitral stenosis and its most common etiology - rheumatic heart disease.
Computer-based materials are available for self-paced review and further studies. You will also engage throughout the semester with online tutorial quizzes which provide instant feedback on your understanding of the content material. There is also an online measurements tutorial website which allows you to practice your measurement techniques on real-life images in a simulated environment and receive instant feedback by viewing the expert-level measurement for that image. In addition, clinical experience in the workplace with the support of your clinical supervisor forms an important part of the learning process.
Clinical supervisors are Accredited Cardiac Sonographers or Echocardiologists as approved by QUT. Clinical supervisors are responsible, in consultation with the student, for ensuring an adequate range and volume of clinical experience is obtained. Supervisors, in consultation with QUT academic staff and the student, are required to monitor and evaluate your clinical progress.
You will engage with the teaching team and other students through the use of the online discussion forum for this unit.
Weekly announcements via the Canvas site will keep you on track with upcoming lecture content and assessments.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will gain feedback in this unit through participation in online discussion board forums and during online interactive sessions with course staff and peers.
Mind Map formative feedback will be available to you as part of the case report assessment task due in week 8.
You will engage throughout the semester with weekly, online tutorial quizzes which provide instant feedback on your understanding of the content material. There is also an online measurements tutorial website which allows you to practice and improve your measurement techniques on real-life images in a simulated environment. Instant feedback is provided by reviewing the expert-level measurement for each image.
Individual feedback relating to the submitted case reports will be provided via the Canvas site for this unit.
Results for all assessments will be displayed under 'My Grades' on the Canvas site for this unit.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit, you will submit a case report on a specific cardiac pathology you have imaged in the workplace and undertake a written, theoretical examination. An example case report and previous theory exam paper and answer outline will be available on the Canvas site for this unit.
Both assessment items contribute to your grade. Threshold assessment conditions apply to assessment number 2 - written examination. If you do not achieve the pass level for this assessment item (50%), you are able to make one resubmission of a similar assessment item for the minimum pass level, only when the achieved mark/grade is within 10% (or 1 grade) of the pass level for the assessment item.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Case report
The aim of this assessment is to develop your ability to research and present findings on a given valvular pathology.
You are required to image a patient with a specific valvular pathology and submit a case report on the findings. You will review relevant evidence-based literature and will include your imaging to effectively demonstrate the chosen pathology.
The case report format will reflect the publication requirements of a relevant ultrasound journal and provide the opportunity for submission on completion of the assessment.
The QUT librarian, Catherine Haden, has pre-recorded a lecture on evidence-based best practice and how to locate recommended health databases (e.g. UpToDate and Embase) to support you in performing a timely review of the literature for this case report submission. It is a requirement of this task that you submit a Mind Map, an annotated bibliography and Studiosity report with your final submission. Mind map formative feedback will be available to students prior to the due date of this assessment task.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Examination (theory)
(Summative) End of semester examination. The examination includes a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions, clinical image interpretation, and performance and analysis of hemodynamic calculations.
A detailed marking criteria is used for the allocation of grades. A moderation process including cross-marking of submissions ensures individual markers apply standards consistently and fairly.
Threshold Assessment:
Threshold conditions apply. If you do not achieve the pass level for this assessment task you are able to make one resubmission of this work for the minimum pass level, only when the achieved mark/grade is within 10% (or 1 grade) of the pass level for the assessment item. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
The QUT bookshop stocks the recommended text for this course. All ASE guidelines are free and available online.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Anderson, B. (2017). Echocardiography: The Normal Examination and Echocardiographic Measurements (3rd ed.). Brisbane: MGA Graphics. (This text is strongly recommended for all students)
Anderson, B (2014). A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. MGA Graphics (This text is strongly recommended for all students)
Reference book(s)
Otto, C.M. (2023). Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier.
Other
American Society of Echocardiography Guideline and Recommendations: www.asecho.org
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CS61 Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Ultrasound
- Apply advanced specialist knowledge of the principles and techniques of cardiac ultrasound digital imaging, anatomy and pathology.
Relates to: Examination (theory) - Critically analyse clinical information to accurately differentiate normal cardiac anatomy and complex cardiac pathologies.
Relates to: Examination (theory) - Communicate effectively with peers and multidisciplinary health professionals to explore the diagnostic value and limitations of cardiac ultrasound imaging.
Relates to: Case report, Examination (theory) - Practice as a reflective, ethical and collaborative professional committed to the sustainability of quality assured cardiac sonography practice.
Relates to: Case report