SIMValve – Medical Simulation in Valve Heart Disease

Course Description

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 SIMValve (Medical Simulation in Valve Heart Disease) 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.

Course Overview

• 8 Modules
  • 8 virtual patient cases of an intermediate level of complexity
• Average Time to practice (per module):
  • Clinical Scenario: 20 minutes per attempt (3 attempts: 60 minutes)
  • Final attempt (if applicable): 20 minutes
  • Multiple Choice Question: 5 minutes
  • Feedback Area: 10 minutes
  • Learning Objectives and Scientific References: 10 minutes
  • Debriefing Video: 10 minutes
• Online, Self-paced
  • You have up to 2 months to complete the 10 modules at your own pace. The course can be accessed through Body Interact at any time.
• Certificate of Completion
  • After completing the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion that can be added to your CV or Resume.

Learning Objectives

• Diagnose and risk-stratify acute chronic heart failure
• Distinguish between heart failure with preserved and reduced ejection fraction
• Optimize medical treatment for all heart failure patients

Clinical Competencies

Safety

• Collect patients clinical information
• Detect heart murmurs

Airway and Breathing

• Basic airway management
• Lung examination (percuss, fremitus, auscultation and qualities of air sound, lobar locations)
• Oximetry interpretation
• Respiratory rate and rhythm assessment and interpretation
• Thorax examination (shape, movement, diameter, ribs and diaphragm)

Circulation

• Assess and interpret blood pressure (various sites and body positions)
• Assess and interpret pulse (rate, rhythm and volume)
• Detect heart murmurs
• Identify S1 heart sounds (tricuspid, mitral)
• Identify S2 heart sounds (pulmonary, aortic)

Disability

• Blood sugar measurement and interpretation
• Mental status examination

Exposure

• Abdominal plain x-ray interpretation
• Arterial blood gas interpretation
• Assess and interpret temperature
• Assess height and weight
• Cardiac enzyme interpretation
• Chest x-ray interpretation
• Consultation management
• Electrocardiogram interpretation
• Fluid/Electrolyte test interpretation
• Hand and foot examination
• Hematocrit interpretation
• Lipid test interpretation
• Liver function test interpretation
• Nuclear imaging techniques interpretation
• Nutrition management
• Refer to healthcare/ medical specialties
• Ultrasonography interpretation
• Urinalysis interpretation
• Utilize medical records
• Write prescriptions (including controlled drug)
• Renal function test interpretation

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 – When three is to many but not enough

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 – 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 8 – 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.