*Note
on course proficiencies*
YEAR 4
SEMESTER 1 - 2 - 3
Cardiology
PHAR 5683
Course Description:
A structured pharmacy experience in an institutional setting dealing
with cardiology patients.
Cr. 6. (0-18)
Prerequisite:
Fourth year standing in the College of Pharmacy or consent of
the instructor.
Course Proficiencies:
The student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the clinical
use, adverse effects, and drug interactions of the following classes
of medications:
a. Antidysrhythmic drugs
b. Inotropic agents
c. Antihypertensive agents
d. Antianginal agents
e. Anticoagulants and antiplatelets drugs
f. Thrombolytics
g. Sympathomimetics
h. Parasympathomimetics
i. Vasodilating agents
2. Evaluate and interpret laboratory data for cardiology patients.
3. Develop endpoints and monitoring parameters for cardiovascular
pharmacotherapy.
4. Recommend drug treatment for patients with the following cardiac
problem:
a. Acute myocardial infarction.
b. Angina pectoris
c. Arrhythmias (i.e., atrial fibrillation; PSVT; VT, etc.)
d. Pre-excitation syndromes: Wolfe-Parkinson-White
e. Atrioventricular blocks
f. Heart failure
g. Hypertension
h. Hyperlipidemias
5. Recommend treatment for fluid and electrolyte disorders in
a cardiology patient.
6. Develop an individualized treatment regimen taking into account
the following:
a. patient’s underlying renal/hepatic disease
b. patient’s adverse effects and allergy reactions
c. patient’s current disease state
d. patient’s current medication profile.
7. Develop individualized medication dosing for cardiology patients
utilizing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data.
8. Discuss the role of invasive therapies for coronary artery
diseases (such as angioplasty, atherectomy, coronary stents, coronary
bypass surgery).
9. Manage a patient’s hypertension therapy according to the JNC
guidelines.
10. Manage a patient’s hyperlipidemia therapy according to the
NCEP guidelines.
11. Manage a patient’s anticoagulation therapy.
12. Discuss the role of implantable defibrillators vs. drug treatment
of arrhythmias.
13. Evaluate and interpret primary literature regarding cardiovascular
disease.
14. Provide a formal drug therapy consult note for patient with
cardiac disease.
15. Provide written and verbal drug information to the cardiology
team.
16. Counsel and verify understanding of patient/caregiver on the
patient’s medications.
17. Provide inservice education concerning current trend in cardiovascular
pharmacotherapy, landmark trials, and updates of new drugs.
18. Identify non-adherence to therapy and formulate a plan to
improve adherence.
19. Understand through observation when the following tests are
used and how the results are applied in therapeutic decisions:
a. Electrophysiology
b. Stress testing
c. Tilt table test
d. Hemodynamic monitoring
e. Cardiac catheterization
