2W: Pediatric Cardiology

School of Medicine

Students participating in this two-week elective will be exposed to the breadth of services offered by the medical and surgical teams caring for children with congenital and acquired heart conditions. Selected faculty members and at times senior cardiology fellows will provide didactic and clinical insight relative to their area of expertise. Such areas include but are not limited to noninvasive imaging (echocardiography, MRI), cardiac catheterization, and electrocardiography- the primary areas whereby cardiac structure, hemodynamics and rhythm are assessed. The goal is to provide consistent core didactics and readings, supplemented with an introduction to basic cardiac assessment in the outpatient and inpatient settings. Students will be afforded an opportunity to observe the interaction of multiple team members working toward the optimal patient care plan using a variety of diagnostic and imaging modalities. At the conclusion of the elective, students will have acquired a basic understanding of how abnormalities of cardiac structure and function impact the well-being of the pediatric patient through the care continuum. Though many principles are pediatric-specific, common concepts are shared with adult medicine as well. Students will also understand basic cardiac assessment in the infant, child and adolescent, primarily in the outpatient setting including history, physical exam, and appropriate use of diagnostic studies.