This CU is of the modular type and is taught four times a year to one group of students at a time, during the 3rd year. CU takes precedence Circulation and Breathing I and II CU.

Intended learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students)

This CU covers chronic diseases of the blood, lungs, heart and blood vessels. The objective is to achieve the integration of basic, pathophysiological and clinical knowledge, essential to patient assessment as well as the acquisition of knowledge and skills in the areas of anamnesis and physical examination and in the performance of differential diagnoses in these areas (namely the ones due to congenital, valvular, degenerative, inflammatory, infectious and ischemic diseases, among others). Important points focus on the biomedical, psychosocial and social aspects of chronic diseases (knowledge on diagnostic skills) and the role of physicians in the critical analysis of primary, secondary and tertiary care orientation. It should cover not only the characterization of the clinical scenarios, but also the discussion of issues relevant to diagnosis, prognosis, therapy (indications and contraindications) and evaluation of the applied strategy.

Syllabus

In general, this CU focuses on the areas: Cardiology, Pulmonology, Clinical Epidemiology, Cardiovascular Risk Management. The CU covers 10 thematic weeks:

• Coronary syndromes
• Heart Failure
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Pathology of Aorta and Peripheral Vessels
• Thromboembolism and coagulopathies
• Respiratory Failure
• Lung Diseases (inc. Oncology, Interstitial Diseases, Infectious Pathology)
• Cardiovascular risk Management

Relevant generic aspects include the ability to collect and identify semiological data, clinical reasoning, the application of diagnostic algorithms and the therapeutic plan. Specifically, the following topics will be covered: the diagnosis supported by the interpretation of exams, the pathophysiology, the clinical evolution and prognosis; the consequences of chronic diseases on a cognitive, emotional, physical and social level; the organization of care from a chronic perspective; the evolutionary phases and comorbidities; primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.