CSN022 Cardiac Ultrasound 2


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Online

Unit code:CSN022
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:CSN021 and CSN031 and CSN025. CSN031 and CSN025 can be studied in the same teaching period as CSN022.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit extends and builds on the content of CSN021 Cardiac Ultrasound 1 by exploring the clinical applications of Doppler Echocardiography and basic haemoadynamic principles and calculations.

You will explore various cardiac pathologies including systemic and pulmonary hypertension, diastolic dysfunction, ischaemic heart disease, complications of a myocardial infarction, types of cardiomyopathies and diseases of the aorta. 

The importance of cultural safety in the healthcare setting is explored specifically focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and New Zealand Indigenous perspectives.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Describe, in detail, the haemodynamic principles and calculations for the determination of intracardiac pressures, pressure gradients and stroke volumes, including the application of these techniques to the real world environment as well as the limitations of these techniques.
  2. Explore methods used for the comprehensive assessment of left and right ventricular size, systolic function, left ventricular diastolic function and common cardiac pathologies
  3. Apply specialised knowledge and clinical analysis in the interpretation of echocardiographic studies to assess ventricular function and common cardiac pathologies
  4. Perform, interpret and critically analyse advanced Doppler haemodynamic calculations and determine the appropriate use of these calculations for a given clinical scenario.
  5. Respond to ethical challenges in diverse healthcare settings using professional and culturally safe practice.

Content

The unit covers the following topic areas:

1. Basic haemodynamic principles and the characteristics of blood
2. Assessment of right and left ventricular size and systolic function
3. Echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function
4. Basic haemodynamic calculations including estimation of intracardiac pressures and pressure gradients

5. Echocardiographic assessment of:

  • Hypertensive heart disease
  • Ischaemic heart disease, including complications of myocardial infarction
  • Cardiomyopathies
  • Intracardiac thrombus
  • Diseases of the aorta.

The importance of cultural safety in the healthcare setting is explored specifically focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and New Zealand Indigenous perspectives.

Learning Approaches

Theoretical: Self-Directed: In this unit you will have access to a range of self-directed resources and weekly lectures to further enhance your understanding of echocardiographic modalities, assessments and calculations. You will explore basic haemodynamic principles, cardiac pathologies including systemic and pulmonary hypertension, diastolic dysfunction, ischaemic heart disease, complications of a myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathies and diseases of the aorta. 

You will have the opportunity to engage with online formative quizzes, that are scaffolded to your learning and will allow you to prepare for the summative assessment at the end of this unit. 

You are required to submit a problem-solving assignment. This case-based assessment involves the interpretation of "real life" echocardiographic images and scenarios, the performance of relevant echocardiographic calculations and recognition of the limits of the examination in answering the clinical question. You will explore the importance of cultural safety in the healthcare setting by commenting on various clinical scenarios with respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and New Zealand Indigenous perspectives - QUT’s Introduction to Cultural Safety Module

You will engage with the teaching team and other students through the use of this unit's online discussion forum. 

Weekly announcements via the Canvas site will keep you on track with upcoming lecture content and assessment tasks. Staff will also share their experiences when diagnosing cardiac pathology in the clinical setting and lessons learnt. 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Formative and summative feedback will be provided via the Canvas site for this unit. Results will be displayed under "My Grades" on the Canvas site for this unit.

Previous theory examination papers are available on the Canvas site for this unit. An answer outline/guide will be provided to highlight the information required to answer these questions correctly.

Threshold assessment conditions:
In this unit, for you to be eligible to receive a passing grade, threshold assessment conditions apply to assessment item 2. For this assessment items, if you do not achieve the pass level of 50%, you are able to make one resubmission for the minimum pass level, only when the achieved mark is within 10% of the pass level for the assessment item. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.

Assessment

Overview

Summative assessment in this unit consists of a problem-solving task (40%) and an invigilated exam (60%). These assessments are scaffolded to unit learning outcomes. 

Threshold assessment conditions:
In this unit, for you to be eligible to receive a passing grade, threshold assessment conditions apply to assessment number 2 to ensure competence within professional standards. If you do not achieve the pass level of 50% for this assessment task, you are able to make one resubmission of this work for the minimum pass level, only when your achieved mark/grade is within 10% of the pass level for the assessment item. 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Problem Solving Task

As an emerging cardiac sonographer, you will perform echocardiographic examinations on real patients in a clinical setting, perform advanced echocardiographic calculations, determine the appropriate use of the diagnostic value of images and measurements to ensure accuracy and interpret and communicate this information to patients, intradisciplinary and interprofessional practitioners including nurses, doctors and cardiac surgeons. You will also need to explore the requirements for a culturally safe and professional environment for the patient and practitioner.

This case-based problem-solving task involves the interpretation of three (3) 'real life' echocardiographic studies that you will encounter in the workplace. You will be required to interpret and evaluate potential limitations of each examination. You will also be required to examine two (2) different clinical scenarios that you may encounter in the workplace. You will analyse and respond to an ethical dilemma, exploring the challenges of providing culturally safe care. 

Grades are allocated using the QUT 1 - 7 scale against a detailed marking criteria.  A moderation process including cross-marking of submissions ensures individual markers apply standards consistently and fairly.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Length: 7 pages
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 7
Related Unit learning outcomes: 3, 4, 5

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.

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During central examination period
Central exam duration: 2:40 - Including 10 minute perusal
This is an invigilated examination. Students are required to attend an examination location near their place of work during the central examination period.
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

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

  1. Apply advanced specialist knowledge of the principles and techniques of cardiac ultrasound digital imaging, anatomy and pathology.
    Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Examination (Theory)
  2. Critically analyse clinical information to accurately differentiate normal cardiac anatomy and complex cardiac pathologies.
    Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Examination (Theory)
  3. Communicate effectively with peers and multidisciplinary health professionals to explore the diagnostic value and limitations of cardiac ultrasound imaging.
    Relates to: Examination (Theory)