CSN024 Cardiac Ultrasound 4

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Online

Overview

This unit extends and builds on the content of units CSN022 Cardiac Ultrasound 2 and CSN023 Cardiac Ultrasound 3 by introducing more advanced applications of echocardiography. 

In this unit you will explore the role of echocardiography in the assessment and diagnoses of complex cardiac diseases such as pericardial disease, cardiac masses, systemic diseases with cardiac involvement and congenital heart defects. You will learn about new and evolving techniques and technological advances in echocardiography, such as 3D/4D imaging. The roles, advantages and disadvantages of other cardiac diagnostic imaging methods that are complementary to echocardiography will be explored. 

The importance of cultural competency in the healthcare setting is explored with respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and New Zealand Indigenous perspectives.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Apply theoretical understanding of the principles and applications of advanced echocardiographic techniques in the assessment of specific pathologies.
2. Explore the indications, techniques and limitations of the echocardiographic assessment of congenital heart lesions, including post-surgical repair, in the adult patient.
3. Critically analyse the core principles, clinical applications and indications, and the limitations of advanced echocardiographic techniques in diagnostic accuracy of cardiac examinations.
4. Critique the main principles, advantages and disadvantages of non-echocardiographic examination methods that may be used in the assessment of the heart, including to diagnose cardiac disease and defects.

Content

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 critical understanding of advanced echocardiographic modalities, assessments and calculations. You will explore systemic cardiac diseases, congenital heart defects and new imaging techniques in depth. Self-directed resources, including online formative quizzes are available on the unit Canvas site enabling you to cement and assess your learning in 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

Academic Consultation and Peer Collaboration: QUT academic staff are available to discuss issues on an individual basis, as necessary. You will also engage with the teaching team and your student peers via the unit's online discussion forum. Weekly announcements via Canvas site will provide you with an overview of upcoming lecture content and assessments. 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Instant feedback will be available through the completion of self-paced, weekly, online quizzes.  You will also receive peer feedback through participation in discussion board forums.  Feedback relating to the problem-solving exercises will be provided via the Canvas unit site.    

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.

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 apply in this unit for you to be eligible to receive a passing grade. You must achieve a satisfactory result (50% or above) for assessment item 2 (Theory examination) in order to be awarded a grade of 4, or better, for this unit. 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

Summative. 

This case-based problem-solving task involves the interpretation of three (3) 'real life' echocardiographic studies (acquired and congenital heart defects) that you will encounter in the workplace.  You will be required to interpret the data, demonstrate an understanding of the cardiac pathology, perform calculations, evaluate potential limitations for each case study, and provide written communication of your findings, in a similar way to what is expected in the workplace when communicating information to intradisciplinary and interprofessional practitioners including nurses, doctors and cardiac surgeons. 

Grades are allocated using the QUT 1 - 7 scale against a detailed marking criterion.  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.

Assessment: Examination (theory)

(Summative) End of semester examination. The examination includes a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions, clinical image or case interpretation and 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 assessment conditions apply. If you do not achieve the pass level of 50% for this assessment, you are able to make one resubmission of this assessment item for the minimum pass level, only when the achieved mark is within 10% of the pass level. 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

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

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: Examination (theory)
2. Critically analyse clinical information to accurately differentiate normal cardiac anatomy and complex cardiac pathologies.
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Examination (theory)