Heart failure
Heart failure learning module 1: background, epidemiology, aetiology and pathophysiology
Released 24 May 2024 Programme: Heart failure 1.5 CPD/CME credits
- The epidemiology of heart failure
- The burden of heart failure including its cost and findings from the National Heart Failure Audit
- The aetiology, precipitants and comorbidities of heart failure
- The various classifications of heart failure
- The syndromes and pathophysiology of heart failure
Heart failure learning module 2: diagnosis
Released 24 May 2024 Programme: Heart failure 2 CPD/CME credits
- Differentiate the symptoms and signs of heart failure
- Assess symptom severity
- Discern the differences in acute and chronic presentations of heart failure
- Approach the diagnosis of heart failure according to the latest guidelines, with specific focus on natriuretic peptide testing and echocardiography
- Understand the use of objective measures of functional and exercise capacity testing
- Understand the indications for imaging and interpret the findings in the context of the individual patient
- Develop an approach to the investigation of both acute and chronic presentations of heart failure and determine the aetiology or precipitant thereof
- Differentiate between the different types of heart failure, especially according to ejection fraction
Heart failure learning module 3: lifestyle modifications and pharmacological treatment of heart failure
Released 24 May 2024 Programme: Heart failure 2 CPD/CME credits
- 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 learning module 4: invasive treatment of heart failure
Released 24 May 2024 Programme: Heart failure 1.5 CPD/CME credits
- 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: surgical management and palliative care of HF
Released 24 May 2024 Programme: Heart failure 2 CPD/CME credits
- The basics of left ventricular assist devices
- Selection procedures for cardiac transplantation
- Long-term management post-transplant
- Revascularisation, surgical ventricular restoration and valve surgery
- 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
Heart failure module 6: commonly encountered complications in HF
Released 24 May 2024 Programme: Heart failure 1.5 CPD/CME credits
- 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.
