Clinical Arrhythmia Service

4 credits · School of Medicine

Medicine-442C. Clinical Arrhythmia Service. (1) Course Goals: Primary - To provide students with an in-depth exposure to the diagnosis and management of cardiac arrhythmias, electrophysiologic studies, ablation of arrhythmias, cardiac pacemakers, and implantable defibrillators; to help students to understand the electrophysiologic events that result in arrhythmias and ECG changes. Special emphasis will be placed on ECG interpretation. Each week, the student will be given a package of illustrative EKGs for interpretation, and these will be reviewed with the course director. This course is not designed to be a substitute for the general cardiology elective (MEDICINE 404C and 445C). Secondary - To familiarize the student with certain basic techniques of arrhythmia diagnosis; (2) How Goals Are Achieved: The student spends four weeks working on the Clinical Arrhythmia Service. The student makes rounds on the inpatient Clinical Electrophysiology Service on patients with arrhythmias. The student is encouraged to attend electrophysiologic studies. The supervising physician may explain the procedures from the 'Control Room'. The student is expected to participate in the work-up of patients admitted to the Arrhythmia Service as well as inpatient consultations and plays an important role in the follow-up of these patients while they are in the hospital. The student may elect to see outpatients during Arrhythmia Clinics that meet in the (Duke Clinic), 2F/2G. The student assists in the evaluation of patients for permanent pacemaker and defibrillator implantation. Students are responsible for reviewing the literature on subjects related to the patients that they have seen on the clinical service. Didactic conferences are given on Monday and Wednesday mornings; (3) Methods of Evaluation: Students are evaluated on their clinical skills in taking histories, performing physical examinations, interpretation of the ECG as well as in their assessment and presentation of the patient's problem to the attending physicians. They are encouraged to present at least one patient each day. They are also assessed on their ability to read and understand the relevant literature and their ability to assume a responsible role in the care of patients on the Clinical Arrhythmia Service. Students should meet at Conference Room 7451A Duke North Hospital at 7:30 a.m. Please call Dr. Grant (919-599-1021) for further information. STUDENTS MUST CHECK IN WITH DR. GRANT OR HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE GRADE EVALUATION FOR THE COURSE. For more information, please email Dr. Grant at grant007@mc.duke.edu. Secondary Contact: Mitzi Scarlett, 919-681-3518. Credit: 4. Augustus O Grant Enrollment: max 1. Augustus Grant, M.B., CH.B., PhD; Sana Al-Khatib,MD/MHS and Tristram Bahnson,MD;