TECH137-0307 : ECG - Electrocardiography - Basic Interpretation, Module 2 - Basic Interpretation

INSTRUCTOR:
Dianne Hudson, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia)

DATES:
March 1-March 30, 2007
Real Time Sessions: Tuesday evenings, March 6, 13, 20; 9:00pm-10:30pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This is module 2 of a two part course designed to provide a basic knowledge of ECG interpretation. Participants completing both modules of this course will be exposed to the basic elements of ECG interpretation (Lead II) including a review of the conduction system of the heart, the ECG/EKG waveform, normal rhythms and cardiac arrhythmias. Module 1 is not a pre-requisite for Module 2 but is highly recommended.

Module 2 consists of three (3) real time interactive sessions of ninety minutes (90) each covering discussion of situations; homework reinforcing the handouts and real time sessions; interactive message boards to discuss the real time sessions and homework; and an online final exam. In addition multiple choice homework quizzes will be given online each week; the goal of the homework is to test the participant's knowledge of the material covered discussed in each session and presented in the handouts.

All members of the veterinary support staff may join the course and its discussions; however, this course is focused toward veterinary technicians. Module 1 and Module 2 should both be taken to insure a complete basic understanding of basic ECG interpretation in the anesthesia, emergency and critical care patient.

Upon completion of this class, the participant should be able to:

• understand and apply the steps to interpretation of ECG recordings and identify arrhythmias
• recognize and understand Classifications of Arrhythmias
• recognize the three lethal rhythms (those requiring CPR)
• recognize conditions or situations associated with different arrhythmias

Overall Goal: Identify and understand arrhythmias common to small animal patients.

TEXTBOOKS: There are no required texts for this course; however, the instructor recommends the following:

• Tilley, L. P. & Burtnick, N. L. (1999). ECG for the Small Animal Practitioner. Teton NewsMedia. This text can be purchased from the VIN Store: https://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=82190&c=19524

COURSE OUTLINE:
Week 1: ECG recording interpretation Content: This lecture will cover basic analysis of ECG recordings to determine if and arrhythmia exist and its possible origin. We will cover how to assess the heart rate and rhythm, and the identification of P waves, the QRS complex, and the P wave and QRS complex relationships.

Week 2: Arrhythmia classifications and their identification
Content: This lecture will cover Supraventricular and Ventricular Impulse Formation Disturbances including the following:

• Atrial Premature Complexes
• Atrial Tachycardia
• Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter
• Junctional Premature Complexes
• Ventricular Premature Complexes
• Ventricular Tachycardia
• Ventricular Asystole
• Ventricular Fibrillation

Week 3: Arrhythmia classifications and their identification Content: This lecture will discuss Impulse Conduction Disturbances including the following:

• Sinus Block or Arrest
• Sick Sinus Syndrome
• Atrial Standstill
• First Degree AV Block
• Second Degree AV Block
• Third Degree AV Block
• Right and Left Bundle Branch Blocks

We will also discuss escape rhythms and additional disturbances including rhythms seem with pericardial effusion and potassium elevations.

LIBRARY MATERIALS:
Library materials will be made available prior to the topic week so participants will have plenty of time to prepare for the real time sessions and discussion.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS:
Message board discussions regarding the topic presented will begin on the day the course opens and continue for one week following the last real time session. These discussions will be held in the VSPN CE course area.

CE HOURS: 4.5

TUITION:
$83 ($75 early bird special if registered before February 15, 2007)
* Enroll in both ECG Moduless before January 9, 2007 and receive a 15% discount off the regular tuition price
* Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status). You must include the following information in the comments section of the CE enrollment form in order to be eligible for this discount: your program director's name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

** NOTE: Registration will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first real time session.

** Minimal computer requirements for participating in VSPN and VPSNCE

** Click on "How To's of Online CE" and "Polices & Procedures" for more on how our online CE works

TO REGISTER:

1. Each enrollee must individually be a registered member of VSPN or VIN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free; VIN membership includes VSPN membership.
2. To enroll in any VSPN CE course click on the ENROLL NOW link below the course title on the right side of the page at www.vspn.org/CE
3. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. This is our major form of communication with participants. It is highly recommended that course participants use their own, personal emails rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
4. VIN Member veterinarians SHOULD NOT register for their staff. Please have the staff member register through VSPN. Please email VSPNCE@vspn.org if you have questions.

Note: "This program was submitted (but not yet approved) to the AAVSB's RACE program for continuing education. Please contact the AAVSB's RACE program at race@aavsb.org should you have any comments/suggestions regarding this program's validity or relevance to the veterinary profession." (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition their board.)

---

COURSE WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY: Withdrawal prior to the listed start date of a course entitles the registrant to a complete refund or a credit toward a future VIN CE course, whichever is preferred. Withdrawal within 1 week after the listed start date (i.e. including no more than one real-time session) entitles the registrant to a credit toward any future VIN CE course. (Does not apply to courses with only one real-time session.) After the first real-time session, a registrant may withdraw due to special circumstances and receive prorated credit towards a future VIN course. These requests will be handled on an individual basis. The amount of the prorated credit will be determined based on 65% of the time remaining in the course at the time of withdrawal. It is not possible to withdrawal retroactively. Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO.

---

Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator
VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-700-4636 ext 187

Ginger Sanders
VSPN CE Services
(Ginger@vspn.org)
1-800-700-4636 ext 183

*** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out www.vspn.org/CE

[ CE MAIN | COURSE CATALOG | RACE/GETTING CREDITS | ONLINE CE HOW TO | SUGGEST A COURSE | VIN MAIN ]

---

800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035 777 West Covell Blvd, Davis, CA 95616 Copyright 2000, Veterinary Information Network, Inc.