Aim

The overall aim is to give the participants understanding of cardiovascular physiology and methods of assessment. The course will provide the participants with the knowledge to choose the optimal methods for their individual research projects based on the methods’ strengths and weaknesses.

Programme

The preliminary programme is to be announced.

Learning outcome

Having completed the course, it is expected that the student has achieved the following:

• Enhanced understanding of biophysics and cardiac and vascular function, also from a mathematical aspect
• Understanding of ultrasound and how it can be used to assess cardiac function and large vessels including volume status
• Knowledge on invasive strategies (right heart catheterization and pressure-volume loop recordings) for cardiac and hemodynamic evaluation
• Knowledge on non-invasive strategies (especially MR) for cardiac and hemodynamic evaluation
• Knowledge on hemodynamic changes from mechanical ventilation
• For all methods mentioned, the ability to discuss pros and cons for each method; its potential use in humans and animal models; and interpretation of the data provided by each method
• Possibility to discuss both others’ research projects and participants’ own research projects’ methodology

Workload

The full workload of the course is expected to be 16 hours of course activity over two days. The participants will receive mandatory preparation to do prior to the course. These preparations will be used in group work.

Content

The course will in include mandatory pre-course preparation, classroom teaching on hemodynamics and methodology, and group work.

The course lectures will cover 1) biophysics including relevant formulas and physiological laws/principles; 2) cardiac and vascular function at a cellular level; 3) pressure-volume loop recordings including acquisition, analysis and interpretation; 4) echocardiography including its use in humans and animals; 5) right heart catheterization including mixed venous gasses, cardiac output assessment and interpretation of pressure measurements; 6) cardiac MRI including flow measurements; 7) use of ultrasound on major vessels including volume status assessment; 8) differences between right and left side of the heart and the cardio-respiratory interaction in spontaneous vs. mechanical ventilation, and; 9) discussion on AI and computer models in hemodynamics. Strengths and limitations for all methods will be discussed.

Mandatory preparation includes reading of few hemodynamic related papers with conceptualization of different important variables.

Group work will be used to discuss key hemodynamic variables, discuss methods of hemodynamic assessment in different diseases, and, importantly, provide the course participants with the opportunity to work on their own projects, including drafting a section for the thesis about their own methodology.

Note that some of the lectures will be in English.

Criteria and requirements for participation 

University degree in medicine, dentistry, nursing, or Master’s degree in other fields and/or postgraduate research fellows (PhD students and research-year medical students). Special interest in hemodynamics and methodology of its assessment.

Instructors

• Mads Dam Lyhne (AU/AUH)
• Peter Johansen (AU)
• Stephan Lange (AU)
• Jacob Gammelgaard Schultz (AUH)
• Peter Juhl-Olsen (AU/AUH)
• Mads Jønsson Andersen (AUH)
• Asger Granfeldt (AU/AUH)
• Steffen Ringgaard (AU/AUH)
• Simon Vistisen (AUH/AU).

Allocation of seats

Please note that you are not guaranteed a seat at the event if you do not meet the target group requirements. Priority is given to early career researchers (PhD-students and Postdocs ) employed at Danish research and healthcare institutions or in life science industry. A number of seats may be reserved for participants from abroad. If the event is overbooked, the Academies reserves the right to select participants based on the defined requirements.

No-show fee

Please note that the DCAcademy will charge a no-show fee of 2000 DKK if you do not show up and have not unregistered prior to start.

ECTS points

Apply to your PhD school providing Certificate of Attendance (available upon request) and the course programme.