Cardiac Technology Course

Lesson 1 • Coronary Circulation

Details coronary artery territories, venous drainage, and autoregulation mechanisms. Supports recognition of ischaemic patterns in diagnostic studies.

Lesson 2 • Cardiac Microstructure and Cell Types

Examines myocyte ultrastructure, conduction cells, and connective tissue components. Links cellular architecture to mechanical and electrical cardiac behaviour.

Lesson 3 • Cardiac Cycle and Haemodynamics

Traces pressure, volume, and flow changes through systole and diastole. Provides the haemodynamic framework for interpreting monitoring data.

Lesson 4 • Gross Anatomy of the Heart

Covers chambers, valves, great vessels, and pericardium as physical landmarks. Establishes spatial orientation needed for all imaging and monitoring tasks.

Lesson 1 • Conduction System Anatomy and Timing

Maps the conduction pathway from SA node through Purkinje fibres with normal conduction times. Provides the anatomical basis for interpreting conduction delays on ECG.

Lesson 2 • Membrane Potentials and Ion Channels

Explains resting membrane potential, action potential phases, and responsible ion channels. Forms the ionic basis for understanding arrhythmia mechanisms and antiarrhythmic drugs.

Lesson 3 • Impulse Formation and Automaticity

Covers pacemaker cell automaticity, rate hierarchy, and factors altering automaticity. Explains why ectopic rhythms arise when normal hierarchy is disrupted.

Lesson 1 • Ischaemia, Injury, and Infarction Patterns

Recognises ST changes, T wave inversions, and Q waves indicating ischaemic events by territory. Enables rapid identification of acute coronary syndromes.

Lesson 2 • ECG Equipment and Lead Systems

Reviews electrode placement, lead configurations, and equipment calibration standards. Accurate lead placement is prerequisite to valid ECG interpretation.

Lesson 3 • Conduction Abnormalities on ECG

Identifies AV blocks, bundle branch blocks, and fascicular blocks using ECG criteria. Directly supports triage decisions and pacemaker indication assessment.

Lesson 4 • Rhythm Interpretation and Classification

Applies a systematic approach to identify rate, regularity, and origin of cardiac rhythms. Enables consistent rhythm classification across clinical settings.

Lesson 1 • Artifact Recognition and Troubleshooting

Distinguishes motion, electrical, and lead-related artifacts from true dysrhythmias. Prevents inappropriate interventions triggered by misidentified artifact.

Lesson 2 • Alarm Management and Safety

Establishes evidence-based alarm threshold setting and fatigue-reduction strategies. Reduces missed critical events whilst minimising alarm fatigue in clinical units.

Lesson 3 • Holter and Ambulatory Monitoring

Explains Holter recorder application, patient diary use, and report generation. Extends monitoring competency to outpatient arrhythmia detection workflows.

Lesson 4 • Monitoring System Setup and Operation

Covers bedside monitor components, telemetry transmitters, and central station configuration. Proper setup prevents artifact and ensures reliable alarm performance.

Lesson 1 • Ultrasound Physics for Cardiac Imaging

Covers sound wave properties, piezoelectric effect, and image formation principles. Provides the physical foundation required to optimise image quality.

Lesson 2 • Echocardiographic Modalities Overview

Compares two-dimensional, M-mode, Doppler, and three-dimensional echocardiography capabilities. Guides selection of the appropriate modality for each clinical question.

Lesson 3 • Standard Transthoracic Views

Teaches probe positioning and angulation for parasternal, apical, subcostal, and suprasternal windows. Systematic view acquisition ensures complete cardiac assessment.

Lesson 4 • Doppler Haemodynamic Assessment

Applies pulsed, continuous-wave, and colour Doppler to quantify flow velocities and gradients. Connects Doppler data to haemodynamic parameters derived from anatomy chapters.

Lesson 1 • Patient Preparation and Safety Screening

Details pre-test screening, contraindication assessment, and informed consent processes. Ensures patient safety and test validity before stress is applied.

Lesson 2 • Exercise Stress Test Protocols

Covers treadmill and cycle ergometer protocols, workload progression, and MET estimation. Enables selection of the appropriate protocol for each patient's functional capacity.

Lesson 3 • Test Endpoints and Result Reporting

Defines absolute and relative indications to stop testing and documents findings systematically. Produces accurate reports that guide clinical decision-making.

Lesson 4 • Physiologic Basis of Stress Testing

Explains cardiovascular responses to exercise and pharmacologic stress agents. Grounds protocol selection and endpoint recognition in physiologic principles.

Lesson 1 • Pressure Waveform Interpretation

Analyses normal and abnormal waveforms from aorta, ventricles, and pulmonary circulation. Enables accurate haemodynamic diagnosis from invasive pressure recordings.

Lesson 2 • Catheterisation Laboratory Environment

Describes cath lab layout, radiation safety, sterile field maintenance, and team roles. Establishes the procedural environment context for all subsequent catheterisation skills.

Lesson 3 • Vascular Access and Catheter Types

Reviews arterial and venous access sites, sheath insertion, and catheter selection principles. Supports the technologist's role in equipment preparation and patient positioning.

Lesson 4 • Cardiac Output Measurement Methods

Compares thermodilution, Fick, and indicator dilution methods for cardiac output determination. Provides quantitative haemodynamic assessment skills used in cath lab and ICU settings.

Lesson 1 • Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices

Introduces intra-aortic balloon pump, ventricular assist devices, and extracorporeal support monitoring. Prepares technologists to assist with haemodynamic monitoring in supported patients.

Lesson 2 • Pacemaker Fundamentals and Modes

Explains pacemaker components, pacing modes using the standard coding system, and rate-response features. Provides the conceptual basis for interpreting paced ECGs.

Lesson 3 • Paced ECG Interpretation and Troubleshooting

Identifies normal pacing artifacts, capture, sensing, and common malfunctions on ECG. Enables prompt recognition of failure to pace, capture, or sense.

Lesson 4 • External Defibrillation and Cardioversion

Trains safe operation of external defibrillators and synchronised cardioversion technique. Integrates rhythm recognition skills with immediate electrical therapy delivery.