Course type: Online; Self-Paced
Duration: Available for 2 months
Modules: 10
Time required: Up to 2 hour per module
Target Audience: General Practitioner and Hospital Care Physicians
Specialty: Cardiology
Level: Intermediate and Advanced
Language: English
Certificate: Yes
About the SIMValve – Medical Simulation in Valve Heart Disease
Valve heart disease represents a common but difficult problem in daily clinical practice. It can be classified as congenital or acquired, primary or secondary. Physical examination is essential and represents the first stage in the assessment of valvular disease.
The SIM valve course allows professionals to develop their skills in implementing medical diagnoses, clinical measures, and therapies based on the most up-to-date scientific evidence available. Through medical simulation with virtual patients, this course focuses on the decision-making process in valve heart disease, accurate diagnosis, and the selection of the most appropriate tests and treatments in the ER and hospital setting.
Target Audience
General Practitioners and Hospital Care Physicians
Course Overview
- 10 Modules
The SIMValve – valve heart disease – online course consists of 10 modules with virtual patient cases, at an intermediate level of complexity. - Online, Self-paced
You have up to 2 months to complete the 10 modules at your own pace. - Certificate of Completion
After completing the course, you will be given a Certificate of Completion that can be added to your CV or Resume.
What you will learn:
By undertaking this course, the physicians will be prepared to:
- Conduct an appropriate physical exam;
- Distinguish between the several different heart murmurs;
- Select the appropriate exams for a complete diagnosis;
- Define and apply the best therapeutic options for each patient.
Meet the Course Director
Professor Pedro Monteiro
Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal
Cardiology Consultant - Coimbra University Hospital
Course Outline
Module 1 - Valve makeover
Context: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or replacement is critical for intermediate-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Current trials are evaluating the safety and feasibility of this technique in lower risk symptomatic patients and even patients who are asymptomatic or with moderate AS and heart failure.
Virtual Scenario: Mr. Stephenson has felt unwell recently. His condition has already interfered substantially with some of his daily tasks and quality of life. Consequently, he sought consultation with his doctor.
Module 2 - Out with the old In in the new
Context: Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common condition in which, if left untreated, AS will lead to heart failure. Without an aortic valve replacement, 50% of AS patients will not survive more than two years after the onset of symptoms. SAVR is the primary surgical treatment for aortic valve stenosis.
Virtual Scenario: Ms. Jeong has been feeling poorly lately. She even lost the will to go out, except for a few occasional outings in her house’s garden.
Module 3 - Something is missing…
Context: Bicuspid aortic valve is a congenital disease that may progress to significant valve stenosis or regurgitation that may require surgical treatment.
Virtual Scenario: Mr. Tobias has been healthy for most of his life. As a result, he mostly stayed away from hospitals and clinics. However, recently he has complained of palpitations and thinks they might have to do with anxiety.
Module 4 - Listen to my heart
Context: Mitral regurgitation is a chronic condition that, if poorly treated, may lead to heart failure. If eligible, most patients benefit from mitral valve repair or replacement.
Virtual Scenario: Ms. Matos has been experiencing fatigue for some time. However, in the past month, her condition has deteriorated.
Module 5 - Fever + Murmur =?
Context: Infective endocarditis is a severe valve disease in which infection develops in a native valve or prosthesis. Patients usually present with fever and de novo heart murmur. If not early diagnosed this medical condition may lead to septic shock and the patient death.
Virtual Scenario: Ms. Matos was brought to the emergency unit by her family after they found her fallen with slurred speech. She was being followed by cardiology outpatient visits.
Module 6 - Fast and furious 1
Context: Infective endocarditis is a severe valve disease in which infection develops in a native valve or prosthesis. Patients usually present with fever and a de novo heart murmur. If not early diagnosed this medical condition may lead to septic shock and the patient death. After initial diagnosis and stabilization, most of these patients will require a lengthy hospital stay and continuous monitoring.
Virtual Scenario: Ms. Matos is hospitalized with infective endocarditis.
Module 7 - Fast and furious 2
Context: Infective endocarditis is a severe valve disease in which infection develops in a native valve or prosthesis. Patients usually present with fever and de novo heart murmur. If not early diagnosed this medical condition may lead to septic shock and the patient death. After initial diagnosis and stabilization, most of these patients will require a lengthy hospital stay and continuous monitoring.
Virtual Scenario: Ms. Matos is hospitalized with infective endocarditis. Today is the second week of hospitalization.
Module 8 - Fast and furious 3
Context: Infective endocarditis is a severe valve disease in which infection develops in a native valve or prosthesis. Patients usually present with fever and a de novo heart murmur. If not early diagnosed this medical condition may lead to septic shock and the patient death. After initial diagnosis and stabilization, most of these patients will require a lengthy hospital stay and continuous monitoring.
Virtual Scenario: Ms. Matos is hospitalized with infective endocarditis and sepsis. Today is the third week of hospitalization.
Module 9 - Help, I’m drowning!
Context: Acute mitral regurgitation is a severe condition that, if poorly treated, may lead to acute heart failure. Without a mitral valve replacement, most patients will not survive. Emergent surgery is the main treatment for acute mitral regurgitation.
Virtual Scenario: Became suddenly short of breath a few hours ago; it was getting progressively harder to breathe so she called 911.
Module 10 - Getting into reason
Context: For heart failure patients everything can be a game-changer. Can a cardiac arrhythmia spell the end for this lady?
Virtual Scenario: Ms. Harris came to the emergency room with complaints of easy fatigue and dyspnea on moderate effort with four weeks of evolution that worsened today.
After acquiring this course, you can access it through the Body Interact app at any time:
If you are not familiar with our Virtual Patient Simulator, visit Body Interact Help Center for FAQs and tutorial videos.
