Heart failure

BJC learning heart failure

Heart failure prevalence is high and rising, due not only to the increasing age of the population but also from general improvements in healthcare and use of better medicines. Patients with heart failure have a poor quality of life and reduced life expectancy.

It has a profound impact on the lives of patients and carers. It is a costly condition to diagnose and manage, representing 1–2% of total NHS expenditure. Recently, for the first time, however, there has been a significant reduction in the number of inpatient deaths.

To help you get up-to-date in this important area, BJC Learning has revised its comprehensive modular e-learning programme with the latest studies and guidance covering all aspects of this growing problem. It has been independently written by leading UK physicians and endorsed by the British Society for Heart Failure.

Each module has a series of multiple-choice questions. Its 10 hours of learning will lead to 10 continuing professional development (CPD) credits.

Vifor Pharma UK has provided an unrestricted grant to fund this activity and has not had any input into any aspect of this learning resource.

Original modular programme
Programme supervisor/contributor:
Professor Andrew Clark, Chair in Clinical Cardiology, Hull York Medical School
Contributors:
Professor Martin Cowie, Consultant Cardiologist, Royal Brompton Hospital, London
Dr Amy Gadoud, NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Palliative Medicine, Hull York Medical School
Dr Kaushik Guha, Clinical Cardiology Research Fellow, Royal Brompton Hospital, London
Dr Carl Hayward, Clinical Research Fellow, Royal Brompton Hospital, London
Professor Miriam Johnson, Professor of Palliative Medicine, Hull York Medical School
Dr Paul Kalra, Consultant Cardiologist, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Dr Alexander Lyon, Consultant Cardiologist, Royal Brompton Hospital, London
Dr Muhammad Muzaffar Mahmood, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough
Professor Theresa McDonagh, Consultant Cardiologist, King’s College Hospital, London
Dr Andrew Morley-Smith, Clinical Research Fellow, Royal Brompton Hospital, London
Professor John Pepper, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon, Royal Brompton Hospital, London
Dr Thanh Trung Phan, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough
Dr Sue Piper, King’s College Hospital, London
Dr Jill Riley, Honorary Lecturer, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London
Dr Henry Savage, Specialist Registrar in Cardiology, Royal Brompton Hospital, London
Dr Benoy Shah, Research Fellow in Cardiology, Royal Brompton Hospital, London
Dr Rakesh Sharma, Consultant Cardiologist, Royal Brompton Hospital, London
Dr Andrew Turley, Consultant Cardiologist, South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust
Dr Ali Vazir, Consultant Cardiologist, Royal Brompton Hospital, London
Dr Donah Zachariah, Specialist Registrar in Cardiology, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Modules revised in 2017 and 2020 by Dr Joe Cuthbert, Clinical Research Fellow, Hull York Medical School, in association with Professor Andrew Clark

Heart failure module 1: background, epidemiology and pathophysiology

Released 7 May 2020   Programme: Heart failure 1.5 CPD/CME credit

Heart failure module 1: background, epidemiology and pathophysiology
  • The different definitions and types of heart failure
  • The epidemiology of heart failure
  • The burden of heart failure including its cost and findings from the National Heart Failure Audit
  • The pathophysiology of heart failure
  • Complications and comorbidities of heart failure

Heart failure module 2: diagnosis

Released 7 May 2020   Programme: Heart failure 1.5 CPD/CME credit

Heart failure module 2: diagnosis
  • The signs and symptoms of heart failure
  • How brain-natriuretic peptides fit in to diagnosis
  • Laboratory investigations in suspected heart failure
  • The role of the chest X-ray and ECG in this setting
  • Use of different forms of exercise testing and haemodynamic studies
  • The key role of imaging in heart failure patients
  • Why echocardiography remains the primary imaging investigation
  • How cardiovascular magnetic resonance is also a powerful imaging modality in heart failure

Heart failure module 3: pharmacological management

Released 7 May 2020   Programme: Heart failure 2 CPD/CME credits

Heart failure module 3: pharmacological management
  • Understand the aims of heart failure (HF) treatment
  • Recognise the role of the primary care team in HF management
  • Recognise the role of lifestyle modifications (weight control, smoking cessation, exercise)
  • Understand the treatment options available for acute and chronic HF
  • Understand the modes of action of the different therapeutic agents prescribed

Heart failure module 4: device therapy and other management

Released 7 May 2020   Programme: Heart failure 1.5 CPD/CME credits

Heart failure module 4: device therapy and other management
  • Cardiac resynchronisation therapy – how it works and which patients are suitable for this treatment
  • Other device therapies including implantable cardiac defibrillators
  • The concept of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in heart failure and its treatment
  • The role of ultrafiltration in patients with decompensated heart failure, patient selection, and the potential benefits and complications of the procedure
  • The basics of gene therapy, its potential targets, clinical experience, and vectors and delivery systems

Heart failure module 5: special cases in heart failure

Released 7 May 2020   Programme: Heart failure 1.5 CPD/CME credits

Heart failure module 5: special cases in heart failure
  • The clinical significance of common electrolyte abnormalities in heart failure
  • The emergency and long term treatment options for hyperkalaemia
  • Renal dysfunction in patients with heart failure
  • The treatment of anaemia in patients with heart failure.

Heart failure module 6: surgical management

Released 7 May 2020   Programme: Heart failure 1.5 CPD/CME credit

Heart failure module 6: surgical management
  • The basics of left ventricular assist devices
  • Selection procedures for cardiac transplantation
  • Long-term management post-transplant
  • Revascularisation, surgical ventricular restoration and valve surgery

Heart failure module 7: end-of-life care for people with heart failure

Released 7 May 2020   Programme: Heart failure 0.5 CPD/CME credits

Heart failure module 7: end-of-life care for people with heart failure
  • What is meant by palliative care for patients with heart failure
  • How to overcome recognised barriers to a palliative approach to care for patients with heart failure
  • The principles of symptom control in patients with heart failure