B8408 - Imaging and Basic Principles of Semiology of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Excretory Systems

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student gains the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to understand the diagnostic imaging features of normal cardiovascular, respiratory and excretory anatomical structures. In particular, the student: knows the normal aspects of clinical relevance relating to the cardiovascular, respiratory and excretory systems; knows the topographical and imaging representation of the anatomical structures of the organs of the cardiovascular, respiratory and excretory systems; is able to recognise normal aspects of clinical relevance relating to the cardiovascular, respiratory and excretory systems; is able to recognise the thoracic organs in the imaging of a normal subject; is able to recognise normal aspects of clinical relevance relating to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and excretory systems, including respiration, pulse, mucous membranes; is able to recognise normal patterns in the electrocardiographic tracing.

Course contents

This Course is part of the Integrated Course "Blood, Circulation, Respiration, and Excretion".

The Integrated Course aims to provide the student with adequate knowledge of the anatomical organization and function of the cardiovascular, respiratory, excretory, and lymphopoietic systems, essential for recognizing normal clinical aspects in veterinary species. Additionally, the student gains expertise in topographic anatomy and imaging techniques applicable to these systems, as well as haematological analytical techniques.

The Integrated Course "Blood, Circulation, Respiration, and Excretion" contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.1, 1.5, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.17, 1.21, 1.22, 1.24.

Specific Course contents:

Prerequisites: the student should have knowledge of normal cardiovascular, respiratory and excretory systems anatomy.

The content of the course includes:

Physical findings from the cardiovascular and respiratory systems evaluation: cardiac auscultation, assessment of venous (e.g., jugular) and arterial (e.g., femoral artery) circulation; respiration patterns, lung auscultation

Radiographic and computed tomographic anatomy of the cardiovascular, respiratory and excretory system.

Echographic anatomy of the excretory system.

Echocardiographic anatomy of the cardiovascular system: cardiac chambers, cardiac valves, main arteries, veins.

Key principles of semiology applied to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and excretory systems.

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials include the recommended textbooks (see below), along with lecture notes and PowerPoint presentations available on the course website.

· D. Thrall, I. Robertson. Atlas of Normal Radiographic Anatomy and Anatomic Variants in the Dog and Cat, 3rd Edition, Elsevier, 2023.

· J.A. Boon. Veterinary echocardiography, 2nd Edition, Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.

· V. Chetboul, C. Bussadori, E. de Madron. Clinical echocardiography of the dog and cat. 1st Edition, Elsevier, 2015.

· Schwarz, T., & Johnson, V. (2008). BSAVA manual of canine and feline thoracic imaging (pp. viii+-396).

· Penninck D e d'Anjou MA, Atlas of small animal ultrasonography – 3rd Edition, Blackwell Science, Ames Iowa USA 2055

· Lecture notes and PowerPoint presentations.

The course has a clinical practical orientation. For this reason, much information can be obtained by the slides, the video and photographic material available on the "Portale Didattico Veterinario" of Bologna University.

Teaching methods

The course combines frontal lectures (face-to-face) and practical, hands-on sessions in small groups.

Frontal lectures focus on

- the clinical significance of normal physical findings, such as heart and lung sounds, jugular and femoral pulse assessment, respiratory patterns, and mucous membrane appearance;

- the interpretation and explanation of radiographic and echocardiographic images;

The practical lectures are held after the students are divided in small groups. Each group has access to a PC workstation where they can analyze radiographic, echographic, computed tomographyc and echocardiographic images of different structure of the cardiovascular systems.

Aim of this part of the course is to reinforce the ability in the interpretation of the radiographic and echocardiographic images of the normal cardiovascular system.

Assessment methods

Attendance at lectures and practical classes is compulsory, as required by regulations. Regular attendance at lectures and practical classes is required; absence of no more than 40% of the scheduled hours for each student will be justified (therefore a minimum attendance threshold of 60% is required to obtain lecture attendance). Attendance will be certified through the rps.unibo.it application.

The final exam of the Integrated Course "Blood, Circulation, Respiration, and Excretion" consists of two parts.

· The first part is a written test comprising 60 multiple choice questions, covering topics from all components of the Integrated Course, and is designed to assess the student's comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter. Each correct question will earn 0.5 points; no points will be subtracted in case of wrong answer or unanswered question. The use of supporting material or devices such as calculators, books, notebooks, class notes, etc. is not authorized during the test. If needed, a follow-up discussion will allow the Candidate to comment on the wrong answers.

The test assignment will last 1.5h and will be considered as successful with a minimum grade of 18/30.

· The second part is a practical and oral examination consisting in:

· Blood sampling or pulse evaluation in the clinical skills lab;

· ECG simulation exam in the Clinical skills lab;

· Evaluation of a radiographic or echographical image;

· Oral examination on an anatomical structure;

· Evaluation of blood cells at the microscope

· Clinical visit of an animal in the Veterinary Teaching hospital

To pass the practical examination, the student must demonstrate sufficient competences, obtaining a minimum grade of 18/30.

The final grade for the Integrated Course is calculated as the weighted average of the written test (60%) and the practical assessment (40%). Students can register for the exam through the online AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ) Examination sessions are proposed within the windows indicated in the teaching calendar. Additional examination sessions are reserved for students who are behind schedule.

As for the assessment, the use of Ai is forbidden; every misuse will represent a violation of the Academic integrity.

In accordance with Unibo teaching regulations, Article 16, Paragraph 5, students are entitled to refuse a passing grade on one occasion.

A negative assessment does not result in the award of a mark, but only in an assessment outcome (withdrawn or failed) recorded in the electronic report completed on AlmaEsami; it therefore does not affect the student’s academic record.

The assessments of the individual tests and the final examination mark will be published on the SOL platform (Studenti Online - AlmaEsami) of the teacher responsible for recording the marks within 5 working days from the examination date.

The student may refuse the mark once, by informing the teacher responsible for recording the marks by e-mail within 5 working days.

The teacher responsible for recording the marks for this Course is Prof. Diego Bucci.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended that they contact the responsible University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti). The office will propose any adaptations to the students concerned, which must in any case be submitted, 15 days in advance, for approval by the teacher, who will assess their appropriateness also in relation to the learning objectives of the course unit.

Teaching tools

The Course utilizes high-resolution images and video tutorials of physical examination procedures and diagnostic imaging findings of cardiovascular, respiratory and excretory systems. Academic lessons use Powerpoint presentations. The material, showed during the academic lessons, is available on Portale Didattico Veterinario (http://www.portaledidatticovet.org/metodologia-clinica.html) and on the Virtuale platform (reached through the link on the teacher webpage). To further support anatomical recognition and imaging interpretation, students are encouraged to consult IMAIOS Vet-Anatomy online platform, an interactive anatomical atlas that supports the identification of cross-sectional and radiographic anatomy in veterinary species (https://www.imaios.com/en/vet-anatomy).

Office hours

See the website of Simone Perfetti