Postgraduate School of Cardiovascular Diseases

Basic Educational Objectives
Acquire fundamental knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of the cardiac system, establishing the foundation for learning in the laboratory, clinical, and cardiac therapy settings. Acquisition of fundamental concepts of mathematics, physics, statistics, and computer science, useful for understanding the physiology of circulation and processing clinically relevant data and images.

General Training Objectives
Acquisition of advanced knowledge of the etiopathogenetic and pathophysiological mechanisms that determine the development of congenital and acquired heart disease, as well as the key aspects of epidemiology, semiotics, clinical practice, instrumental and laboratory diagnostics applicable to cardiovascular disease.

School Type Educational Objectives
Acquisition of fundamental theoretical and technical knowledge in all areas of non-invasive cardiac diagnostics (standard and dynamic electrocardiography, electrophysiology, one-dimensional, two-dimensional, Doppler and Color Doppler echocardiography, radioisotope techniques, CT, MRI) and invasive diagnostics (coronary angiography, hemodynamic studies, angioplasty, valvuloplasty, electrophysiology, cardiac pacing) in adults and pediatrics, as well as Acquisition of the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment (pharmacological, interventional, and surgical) of cardiovascular diseases, with particular emphasis on behavioral knowledge and methodologies in acute syndromes and emergency situations.

Integrated Educational Objectives (i.e., Common Core)
The resident must have acquired satisfactory theoretical knowledge and professional competence in the clinical and instrumental diagnosis and treatment, including emergency conditions, of the most common internal medicine diseases. The resident must acquire fundamental knowledge of the pathophysiology of the various organs and systems, the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary for the recognition of diseases affecting the various body systems, theoretical and practical knowledge of the main areas of instrumental and laboratory diagnostics related to the aforementioned diseases, and the ability to assess the connections and influences between internal medicine and specialists. They must therefore be able to recognize the clinical and functional symptoms and signs of diseases affecting various organs and systems, having acquired the fundamental diagnostic, therapeutic, psychological, and ethical knowledge necessary for a comprehensive patient assessment. To this end, they must develop the ability to clinically assess the patient based on the medical history and physical examination; develop critical and analytical diagnostic skills; become familiar with the main diagnostic procedures and laboratory and instrumental tests; recognize and be able to address major medical emergencies; familiarize themselves with therapeutic resources to plan their optimal use and recognize their indications and contraindications, as well as the effects of interactions and potential iatrogenic effects; acquire fundamental knowledge related to clinical research methodologies and pharmacological trials; and understand the fundamental issues related to prevention, public health, and social medicine. The trainee must have acquired satisfactory theoretical knowledge and professional competence in the recognition and treatment, in emergency situations, of the most common pathologies. Finally, the trainee must also know, from a clinical and therapeutic point of view, the most common pathologies covered by the other categories of the class.


Mandatory Professional Development Activities for achieving the educational objectives of this type of training include:
- having personally followed at least 5,000 cases of cardiovascular disease, at least 1,500 of which were in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, actively participating in the collection of anamnestic data, performing the physical examination, proposing the planning of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions (pharmacological, interventional, and/or surgical), and critically evaluating clinical data;
- having clearly and competently presented at least 100 clinically paradigmatic cases of cardiovascular disease at formal school meetings;
- having personally performed and reported at least 1,000 standard electrocardiograms and 300 dynamic ECGs;
- having personally performed at least 350 stress and/or pharmacological tests;
- having personally performed at least 500 one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiograms and reported them;
- have personally performed at least 50 advanced echocardiograms (transesophageal echocardiography, 3D, strain analysis, etc.);
- have performed at least 50 epiaortic and peripheral vascular Doppler ultrasound scans;
- have demonstrated the ability to correctly recognize and interpret 150 x-rays, scintigraphs, CT scans, and MRIs related to cardiovascular disease;
- have participated in 30 right-sided catheterizations, with calculation of the related hemodynamic parameters, and in 150 coronary angiography and 100 angioplasty procedures;
- have participated in 120 PM/ICD implantations (temporary and permanent), electrophysiological studies, and RF catheter ablation;
- have personally performed at least 100 PM/ICD programming;
- have acquired theoretical knowledge and clinical experience in acute patient management and cardiopulmonary resuscitation with an appropriate period of service in a coronary and cardiac intensive care unit.

The type of care provided by the trainee physician, based on the degree of autonomy achieved and in accordance with the guidelines given by the tutor, is divided into:
- Tutored care: with the presence of the resident physician who performs the service and entrusts part of it to the trainee;
- Supervised care: the service, upon the recommendation of the resident physician, can be performed by the trainee physician provided that the resident physician is present in the facility and is able to supervise and monitor the trainee's work. Simple outpatient, instrumental, and laboratory diagnostic activities performed by the trainee physician as part of their collaborative activity are performed under the supervision of a resident physician. The resident physician countersigns the specialist examination/instrumental service report signed by the resident physician who performed the service.
- Protected care activities: While the established medical staff must always be available for consultation and timely intervention at the discretion of the specialist trainee, the latter carries out independent care, adhering to the guidelines given by the tutor, as defined in the individual program established by the School Council.