CCMAS Course Search

General characteristics and functions of blood. Properties and functions of plasma. Red blood cells factors involved in erythropoiesis, blood groups. White blood cells, origin, type, properties, functions, antigenicity and immunities. Platelets and hemostatic mechanisms. Reticulo-endothelial system. Clotting and fibrinolytic systems. Immunity and immunodeficiency disease and HIV.

Introduction to red blood cell serology. Antigens and antibodies of ABO and Rh blood group systems, haemolytic diseases of foetus and newborn. Blood donation. Donor recruitment including criteria for acceptance and deferrals for allogenic blood donors. Blood collection and screening for TTIs including HIV–screening and window period. Clinical blood transfusion. Indications for blood transfusionn, blood storage, blood fractionation and component therapy, rational use of blood, blood compatibility testing, bedside pre-transfusion check. Complications of blood transfusion and management. Immediate, delayed, immunological and non- immunological.

Classification and chemistry of carbohydrate. Chemistry and biochemistry of the polysaccharide including the amino sugars, mucopolysaccharides, blood group substances.

Glycolysis (Embden- Meyerhof pathway), aerobic and anaerobic phases. Control mechanisms and substrate level phosphorylation. The kerb’s cycle/citric acid cycle. Metabolism of galactose and fructose the uronic acid pathway gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis and glycogenolysis. The HMP shunt and its biochemical importance.

Approach to the evaluation of the cardiac patients and common symptomatology in cardiovascular diseases. Chest pain. Dyspnoea. Orthopnoea. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea and palpitations. Approach to cardiovascular system examination, the precordium, valvular areas, heart sounds and murmurs. Introduction to common cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, heart failure (epidemiology, clinical features, mechanisms/pathophysiology, investigation and diagnosis). Introduction to ECG.

Pathological functional sates of the heart: systolic and diastolic dysfunction; arrhythmias; ischaemic heart diseases. Cardiomyopathies. Dilated, restrictive and hypertrophic. Peripheral vascular diseases. Acute and chronic arterial diseases, embolic diseases, venous thromboembolism. CVS infections. Congenital abnormalities. Valvular abnormalities. Emergencies in cardiology.

Symptoms and signs of common lesions in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, including their interpretations. Chest trauma and chest wall tumours. Introduction to principles of management of common lesions in cardiothoracic surgery including relevant investigations, treatment and complications. Congenital malformations and their management.

Evaluation of the cardiovascular system, epidemiology and aetiology of common cardiovascular disorders. Classification of CVS disorders. General examination findings of a child with cardiovascular lesion. Examination of the peripheral pulses. Blood pressure measurement. Jugular venous pressure measurement, examination of the precordium. The role of chest radiograph, ECG and echocardiography in the diagnosis of common CVS disorders. Congenital heart disease I. Classification of acyanotic congenital heart diseases. Pathophysiology and clinical features of ventricular septal defects (VSD), atrial septal defects (ASD) and persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA). To recognise the peculiar clinical features of VSD, ASD and PDA. The role of chest radiograph, ECG and echocardiography in the diagnosis of VSD, ASD and PDA. Medical treatment, intervention cardiology and the role of surgery in the management of acyanotic heart disease. Congenital heart diseases II. Classification of cyanotic congenital heart diseases. Pathophysiology and clinical features of cyanotic congenital heart diseases. To recognise the peculiar clinical features of tetralogy of fallot (TOF). Clinical features and management of hypercyanotic spells. The role of chest radiograph, ECG and echocardiography in the diagnosis of TOF. Typical chest radiograph, ECG and ECHO findings of common cyanotic CHDs. Medical treatment, intervention and the role of surgery in the management of cyanotic congenital heart disease. Heart failure in infancy and childhood, definition, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, causes by age, management. Acquired heart diseases, acute rheumatic fever. Rheumatic valvular heart disease. Cardiomyopathy. Infective endocarditis. Myocarditis. Pericarditis. Kawasaki disease. Evaluation of the respiratory system, brief anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system. Basic principle in history taking of the respiratory system. Steps in general physical examination relating to the respiratory system. Examination of the respiratory system. Investigation of the respiratory system. Communication. Disorders of the upper respiratory tract. Definition of the upper airway. Classification of disorders of the upper airway. History and common clinical presentations, investigations, communication. Asthma and chronic 116 respiratory disorders. Definition of asthma, mechanism/pathophysiology, history taking/presentation, investigation, treatment, prevention, communication. The wheezing child.

Hypertension and blood pressure regulation. Aetiology of hypertension. Normal regulation of blood pressure. Postural baroreflex. Renal response to decreased blood pressure, therapeutic implications, diagnosis. Basic pharmacology of antihypertensive drugs in relation to mechanism and site of action, haemodynamic effects, dosage, pharmacokinetics and toxicity, diuretics, sympatholytic drugs, direct vasodilator, and drugs that block production or action of angiotensin. Angina pectoris and anti-anginal Drugs. Pathophysiology of angina, determinants of coronary blood flow and myocardial oxygen supply, specific therapeutic interventions (nitrates, beta blockers, calcium entry blockers). Basic and Clinical pharmacology of anti- anginal drugs. Historical concepts, chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, toxicity and tachyphylaxis. Congestive heart failure and Drugs used in Management, pathophysiology of heart failure, pathophysiology of cardiac performance, pathophysiology of the peripheral vasculature in congestive heart failure. Basic and clinical pharmacology of drugs used in congestive heart failure (cardiac glycosides and others like amrinone and beta-adrenergic stimulants), Administration, dosage, interactions, other clinical uses, toxicity, chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics (mechanical and electrical effects). Cardiac arrhythmias and anti-arrhythmic drugs, electrophysiology of normal cardiac rhythm, mechanisms of arrhythmias. Basic and clinical pharmacology of anti-arrhythmic drugs, classes and types, mechanism of action, specific drugs, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and extracardiac effects, principles of anti-arrhythmia. Diuretics, renal tubule transport mechanism. Proximal and distal tubules, loop of Henle and collecting ducts. Basic and clinical pharmacology -types (carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, thiazides, loop diuretics, potassium-sparing (aldosterone antagonist), chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical indications, dosage, toxicity, contraindications, combination therapy. Drugs that affect water excretion. Mannitol. Clinical pharmacology of diuretics - Oedematous state (CHF, hepatic cirrhosis, nephritic syndrome) non-oedematous states (hypertension, renal potassium wasting), alteration of urinary pH, tract infections, renal failure immunity, immunosuppressive drugs. Drugs used in 79 hyperlipidaemic conditions, Pathophysiology of hyperlipoproteinemia, Normal lipoprotein metabolism review, the hyperlipoproteinemic states (primary hypertriglyceridemia, primary hypercholesterolaemia, deficiency of high-density lipoproteins, secondary hyperlipoproteinemia). Role of elevated serum LDL concentrations in promoting risk of developing cardiovascular disease, protective role of increased serum HDL concentration in decreasing risk, presently accepted values for desirable LDL, HDL and triglyceride concentrations in normal individuals, treatment goals for individuals with hyperlipidaemia. Role of diet and lifestyle, pharmacology of specific drugs used (nicotinic acid, clofibrate, gemfrozil, bile acid-binding resins, sitosterols, neomycin, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, dextrothyroxine, probucol), drug combinations. Drugs Acting on blood. Cytopenia and Drugs used in treatment anaemias. Iron deficiency and other hypochromic anaemias, megaloblastic anaemia, basic pharmacology of drugs used in management, iron, cobalamins (B12), folates. Basic pharmacology, clinical indication, mechanism of action, adverse effects and contraindications of the growth factors used in management of cytopenia, including, erythropoietin, G-CSF, GM- CSF and IL-II. thrombosis and thrombolytics, principles of blood coagulation, plasma coagulation factors, regulation of coagulation and fibrinolysis. Basic pharmacology of drugs used to treat thrombosis, types of anti-coagulants (heparin and low molecular weight heparins, coumarins, indandiones), chemistry, pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, administration and dosage, role of aPTT in heparin monitoring, concept of using INR in management of warfarin therapy. Platelet aggregation inhibitors, drugs that inhibit platelet function, aspirin and related cyclooxygenase inhibitors, imidazole, sulphinpyrazone. Drugs used in bleeding disorders. Vitamin K. Factor VIII. Factor IX. Fibrinogen. Fibrinolysis inhibitors (aminocaproic acid, tranexamic acid).

Introduction to Biochemistry. Review of concepts in chemistry applicable to biological systems, chemical bonds covalent and ionic, biomolecules, elementary thermodynamics, reaction equilibria. Henderson equation application. Water, physical, biological and chemical properties. Acid-base chemistry, buffer systems and application to living systems. Introduction of terms used to describe acid-base disorders in the body, academia, alkalemia, acidosis and alkalosis. Enzymes, their properties and kinetics. Diversity of biomolecules, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, amino acids and nucleic acids in nature. Structure, properties, and biochemical/biological functions of carbohydrates. Lipids, amino acids, proteins and nucleic acids.