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Cardiology

Cardiology is defined as the specialty branch of veterinary medicine concerned with the study of the structure, function and disorders of the heart and circulatory system in health and disease.   All specialties of AIMVT are further defined to include the advanced knowledge of wellness and preventative medicine, a detailed knowledge of complex, acute and chronic disease states, and a thorough knowledge of the anatomy, pathology and pathophysiology of animals.

The following is a standard listing of a Cardiology Technician Specialist skills list and job description:

Knowledge of standard M-mode and 2D echo views

Understanding of the principles of M-mode, 2D, pulsed wave, continuous wave and color flow Doppler

Ability to identify many common and acquired cardiac disorders including DCM, HCM, pericardial / effusions, CVD, PDA, VSD, ASD, PS, SAS, Tetralogy of fallot from echocardiography

Ability to obtain standard M-mode and 2D echo views

Ability to obtain a 10-lead ECG

Ability to diagnose common arrhythmias including APC, SVT, VPC, V-tach, V-fib, sinus arrhythmia, wandering pacemaker, sinus arrest, and various forms of AV block

Ability to note specific chamber enlargement on thoracic radiographs, ID vascular structures

Ability to obtain high quality thoracic radiographs

Ability to identify catheters commonly used for interventional techniques and cardiac catheterization

Ability to set up and calibrate transducers / physiograph to measure intracardiac and intravascular pressures

Ability to understand the basic physiology and engineering of pacemakers, including pacing modes and lead systems

Ability to identify various structures on angiography, some knowledge of contrast agents

Ability to grade cardiac murmurs, identify PMI (point of maximal intensity) and correlate with possible clinical diagnoses

Knowledge of commonly used CV drugs, side effects, main indications

Understanding of pathogenesis of heart failure

Ability to accurately measure Doppler blood pressure

Technical expertise necessary in the collection and submission of laboratory samples

Teaching ability to provide daily instruction of veterinary students, interns and residents who rotate through the Cardiology service

Organization skills necessary to oversee the Cardiology work load as well as clinical research projects

Medication and nursing skills for the daily management of in-hospital patients

Computer knowledge for the maintenance of the Cardiology data base and generation of patient medical records