Topics & Objectives

The curriculum is specifically designed to provide optimal approaches to heart failure care using evidence based guidelines for the management of heart failure. There is a standard curriculum for cardiologists, primary care physicians and allied health professionals. Many electives are also available to meet specific needs. Topics and sample objectives are listed below:

Cardiology Core Topics

Pharmacologic Therapy for the Cardiologist

• Review current evidence on pharmacologic therapy for HF

Managing Changes in the Heart Failure Patient

• Identify appropriate interventions based on changes in HF status

Advances in Heart Failure Management

• Discuss various new therapeutic approaches based on recent studies

Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure

• Develop a systematic approach to ventricular arrhythmias

Setting Up a Heart Failure Program

• Determine the minimum structure, processes, tools, and performance measures related to setting up a HF program

Economics of Heart Failure

• Discuss the economics of HF in the U.S.

Click here to download printable list of objectives for Cardiologist

Primary Care Core Topics

Overview of Heart Failure

• Recognize the etiologies and epidemiology of HF

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

• Describe the pathophysiology of the failing heart

Differential Diagnosis of Heart Failure

• Identify key elements of the physical exam and work up of HF patients to determine differential diagnosis

Quality and Published Guidelines

• Review evidenced based HF guidelines for HF

Approaches to Pharmacologic Therapy for Heart Failure

• Determine appropriate pharmacologic therapy based on pathophysiological guidelines

Medication Management of Heart Failure

• Describe factors that influence effective medication management of HF

Patient Adherence to Treatment

• Explain the role of essential elements of patient education in adherence to HF treatment plan

Click here to download printable list of objectives for PCPs

Allied Health Core

Overview of Heart Failure

• Recognize the etiologies and epidemiology of HF

Clinical Heart Failure Assessment for Nurses

• Identify key elements of the nursing assessment of HF

Quality and Published Guidelines

• Review evidenced based HF guidelines for HF

Approaches to Pharmacologic Therapy for Heart Failure

• Determine appropriate pharmacologic therapy based on pathophysiological guidelines

Medication Management of Heart Failure

• Describe factors that influence effective medication management of HF

Physician-Nurse-Patient Communication

• Describe key elements of effective nurse-physician-patient communication

Self-Care Management

• Describe approaches to improve self-efficacy for HF patients

End of Life/Palliative Care of Heart Failure

• Discuss diagnosis and treatment of end stage HF patients

Click here to download printable list of objectives for Allied Health

Electives

Cardiac Devices for Heart Failure

• Determine appropriate device therapy based on current guidelines for Ventricular Assist Device implantation (VAD), Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICD) and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT)

Cardiac Transplantation Evaluation and Candidacy

• Identify indications and contraindications for heart transplantation

Co-Morbidities of Heart Failure

• Review treatment options for co-morbidities of HF

Depression and Heart Failure

• Discuss diagnosis and treatment for HF patients with depression

Discharge Planning

• Describe effective discharge plan

Disease Management for Heart Failure: Overview

• Plan a disease management strategy appropriate to a given population

Disease Management for Heart Failure: Telehealth

• Plan a disease management strategy utilizing telehealth

Echocardiography in Heart Failure

• Discuss roles of echocardiography in HF diagnosis and treatment

Exercise Testing and Conditioning

• Discuss testing, benefits and limitations of exercise for patients with HF

Facilitating Change

• Consider principles of effective change in improvement planning processes

Management of Heart Failure with Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

• Describe accepted medical therapy for HF with preserved LVEF

Overview of Latest Published Guidelines for HF With Systolic Dysfunction

• Outline the updated Heart Failure Society Association guidelines for heart failure and identify changes

Psychosocial and Quality of Life Issues in Heart Failure Care

• Analyze psychosocial and quality of life issues in HF care

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Diagnosis

• Review the approach for the diagnosis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Treatment

• Review the approach for the treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Research Opportunities in Heart Failure

• Discuss research opportunities for HF

The Role of the Heart Failure Advocate

• Explain the role of the advocate as a bridge to quality care for HF patients

Sleep Apnea and Heart Failure: Diagnosis

• Identify components of sleep apnea related to HF

Sleep Apnea and Heart Failure: Treatment

• Explore various approaches to treatment of sleep apnea

Surgical Interventions in End Stage Heart Failure

• Explore surgical options for end stage HF

Click here to download printable list of objectives for the electives