Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to:

• Explain how people without active pathology produce energy for growth, support of activities of daily living and repair of tissue and restoration of health.

• Compare and contrast metabolic pathways that are active during any form of human movement in the healthy person.

• Describe physiological responses to specific kinds of activities across the lifespan.

• Apply knowledge of normal human anatomy and physiology in relationship to changes that occur with cardiovascular and pulmonary pathology.

• Apply the disablement framework to cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders including: congenital heart and lung disease and abnormalities, coronary artery disease, valvular disease, cardiomyopathy, electrophysiological disorders, congestive heart failure, tumors in the heart or lungs, infectious diseases of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, and obstructive and restrictive lung diseases.

• Determine appropriate methods to use in the examination of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems for the person with or without known pathology including: identification of risk factors affecting aerobic capacity, determination of maximum aerobic capacity, electrocardiograph interpretation, monitoring physiological responses to any level of activity, musculoskeletal integrity, auscultation of heart and lung sounds, airway clearance abilities, interpretation of related diagnostics such as blood gases, imaging of the heart and lungs, pulmonary function tests, and hematological analyses.

• Determine the appropriate set of examination procedures for a given individual and demonstrate the ability to conduct: screening for risk factors, musculoskeletal integrity of the thorax, determination of maximum aerobic capacity, electrocardiograph interpretation, monitoring of physiological responses to activity, auscultation of heart and lung sounds and to interpret diagnostic tests such as blood gas levels, complete blood count, imaging of the heart and lungs, and pulmonary function tests.

• Develop goals based on diagnosis, prognosis and findings of the examination and evaluation for persons with cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders.

• Determine appropriate physical therapy interventions for persons with cardiovascular or pulmonary disorders based on patient/client goals and reflecting: 1) prognosis, 2) requirements for and availability of financial resources, social resources, physical assistance, and equipment, 3) chronicity or severity of condition, 4) existence of co morbidities, and 5) potential discharge destinations or continuing care settings.

• Demonstrate physical therapy skills utilized in the management of persons with cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases including: individual and group aerobic endurance training, breathing exercises, ventilatory muscle training, and airway clearance techniques.

• Discuss the reexamination of the person with cardiovascular or pulmonary disorders to evaluate progress toward goals and determine the need for change in planned intervention, readiness for discharge, or the need for future reexamination.

• Critically evaluate information/literature related to new and established physical therapy techniques, legislation, policy, and environments related to patient care.

• Analyze screening tools/indications for physical therapist examination and/or referral to another health care professional.

• Establish a diagnosis for patients across the lifespan based on evaluation of results of examinations, medical and psychosocial information.

Teaching Methods

This course will be taught through lecture, individual and group discussion, laboratory experiences, and case based projects with an emphasis on clinical skills and patient applications. Studenst are expected to be active participants via adequate preparation for class sessions, active participation in discussion, lab sessions and in self-assessment of the mastery of course and unit objectives.

Absence

The student is expected to be present for all class sessions. Absence for reason of illness must be called in to the course instructor to the Department secretary with instructions to inform the course coordinator. Make up exams will be given only in the case of excused absences that have been discussed with the instructor prior to the test date. When make-up exams are given, the student must be ready to take the exam within 24 hours of the returning to class or at the earliest mutually agreeable time.

Department Textbooks Utilized

1. Brannon FJ, Foley MW, Starr JA, Saul LM.: Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation: Basic Theory and Application, Philadelphia, F.A. Davis Company, 1998.
2. Hillegass E, Sadowsky HS.: Essentials of Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy, Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders Co., 2001.

Recommended Reading

• General:
  1. Watchie J. : Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy, a clinical manual, Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders Co., 1995.
  2. Donna Frownfelter, Dean Elizabeth: Principles and Practice of Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy, 3rd ed., St. Louis, Mosby-Year Book, Inc. 1996.
  3. Goodman C.C., Snyder T.E.K.: Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy, Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders Co., 2000.
  4. Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. Physical Therapy 2001, 81(1): S463-S569.
  5. Kisner C. and Colby L.A.: Therapeutic Exercise. 4th ed., Chapter 4 and Chapter 18, Philadelphia, F.A. Davis Company, 2002.
• Exercise Physiology:
  • McArdle W.D., Katch F.I., Katch V.I.: Exercise Physiology, 4th ed. Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
• ECG Interpretation:
  1. Dubin D.: Rapid interpretation of EKG’s. 4th ed. Tampa, COVER publishing company, 1994.
  2. 12-lead ECG interpretation, Baltimore, MD, William & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD, 1998. (CD-ROM)
  3. Electrophysiology of the heart, Alameda, CA, Andromeda medical science, 1996. (CD-ROM)
• Other related materials in CD-ROM:
  1. Auscultation of breath sounds, Baltimore, MD, William & Wilkins, 1998.
  2. Chest X-ray in primary care, Stamford, CT, Appleton & Lange New media, 1997.
  3. Coronary heart disease, disease education series, New Jersey, Novatis, 1996.
  4. Congestive heart failure, disease education series, New Jersey, Novatis, 1998.
  5. Hypertension, disease education series, New Jersey, Novatis, 1997.

  Relevant Readings

  Copies of all articles and additional supplemental reading are kept on reserve in the student’s Mail room.

  Reading assignments should be completed prior to the scheduled topic. Proper preparation for class discussion includes an understanding of background information or perspectives of the topics. Therefore it is to the benefit of the student to read the articles or chapters in advance of the discussion. This will facilitate greater comprehension of the material as it will not be brand new and will facilitate the class discussion and participation.