STEP 1 Content Outline

Cardiovascular System


Normal processes

  • embryonic development, fetal maturation, and perinatal changes
  • organ structure and function
    • chambers, valves
    • cardiac cycle, mechanics, heart sounds, cardiac conduction
    • hemodynamics, including systemic, pulmonary, coronary, and blood volume
    • circulation in specific vascular beds
  • cell/tissue structure and function
    • heart muscle, metabolism, oxygen consumption, biochemistry, and secretory function (eg, atrial natriuretic peptide)
    • endothelium and secretory function, vascular smooth muscle, microcirculation, and lymph flow
    • mechanisms of atherosclerosis
    • neural and hormonal regulation of the heart, blood vessels, and blood volume, including responses to change in posture, exercise, and tissue metabolism
  • repair, regeneration, and changes associated with stage of life

Abnormal processes

  • infectious, inflammatory, and immunologic disorders
    • infectious disorders (eg, endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis)
    • inflammatory and immunologic disorders (eg, acute rheumatic fever, systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, temporal arteritis)
  • traumatic and mechanical disorders (eg, tamponade, valvular disease, obstructive cardiomyopathy)
  • neoplastic disorders
  • metabolic and regulatory disorders (eg, dysrhythmias, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, low- and high-output heart failure, cor pulmonale, systemic hypertension, ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, systemic hypotension, and shock)
  • vascular disorders (eg, aneurysms, occlusions, varicosities, atherosclerosis)
  • systemic diseases affecting the cardiovascular system (eg, amyloidosis, aortic dissection with Marfan syndrome, scleroderma)
  • congenital disorders of the heart and central vessels

Principles of therapeutics

  • mechanisms of action, use, and adverse effects of drugs for treatment of disorders of the cardiovascular system
    • coronary and peripheral vasodilators
    • antiarrhythmic drugs
    • antihypertensive drugs
    • measures used to combat hypotension and shock
    • drugs affecting cholesterol and lipid metabolism
    • drugs affecting blood coagulation, thrombolytic agents
    • inotropic agents and treatment of heart failure
    • immunosuppressive and antimicrobial drugs
    • drugs to treat peripheral arterial disease
  • other therapeutic modalities (eg, pacemakers, angioplasty, valves, grafts, other surgical procedures)

Gender, ethnic, and behavioral considerations affecting disease treatment and prevention, including psychosocial, cultural, occupational, and environmental

  • emotional and behavioral factors (eg, smoking, alcohol, ischemic heart disease, obesity, exercise, diet)
  • influence on person, family, and society (eg, altered lifestyle)
  • occupational and other environmental risk factors (eg, stress)
  • gender and ethnic factors (eg, hypertension)