Advanced Cardiac Imaging: Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT) from edX

* GOLD Award Winner of QS Reimagine Education Award 2021 in Life Sciences! *

This course, developed by the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Hong Kong in collaboration with committee members of international and national cardiac imaging societies, is for radiologists, cardiologists, radiographers/ technologists and other health professionals who want to learn more about this imaging modality. The course follows the level 1 recommendations of cardiac imaging societies by covering the required topics and providing 50 hands-on cardiac CT cases. Previous experience in cardiac CT is not required.

Learning outcomes:

Understanding of the common cardiac CT examinations in order to better understand how to acquire cardiac images and to interpret them.
Ability to analyse cardiac CT images at level 1 competency such as calcium score, CT coronary angiography, TAVI.
Attain hands-on experience to analyse real cases from a database of 50 clinical cases, using dedicated software, as well as further supplementation through our web forum.
Basic understanding of future developments in the cardiac CT field.
Provide career advice and thoughts from well-known experts through exclusive interviews.

A MOOC on cardiovascular magnetic resonance will be available on this platform in the near future. Watch this space!

Acknowledgments This course is supported by the grant from Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen. We would like to thank Miss Benedicte Coiffier and Miss Bohan Fan from the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Hong Kong (HKU), for coordinating the online courses and the HKU Technology-Enriched Learning Initiative (TELI) team for producing the educational material. We would like to express our sincere thanks to our colleagues Luo Lin, Chen Yan, and Baroc Ho from the Radiology Division, Department of Medical Imaging, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, for translating all the texts into Chinese and Dr Nitin Ramamurthy and Dr Jhonatan Bringas for their additional help.

*入圍2020年QS全球教育創新大獎之電子學習類別！ *

本课程由香港大学放射诊断科与国内外心脏影像学会的委员会成员合作开发，专为想进一步了解心脏成像技术的放射科医师、心内科及心外科医师、放射技师、工程师和其他医疗健康专业人士而设计。本课程根据心脏成像协会一级建议，涵盖了所需的主题，并提供50个心脏CT真实病例。学习者不要求有心脏CT的过往经验。

学习成果：

了解常见的心脏CT检查，以便更好地掌握如何获取心脏图像并解释它们。
具备心脏CT图像的一级分析能力，如能够进行钙化评分，分析CT冠状动脉造影，TAVI等。
从临床病例数据库中获取50个真实病例，利用专业后处理软件及平台论坛提供的材料进行教学操作以获得实践经验。
对心脏CT领域未来发展的有基本认识。
通过独家采访，了解知名专家对学生的职业建议和想法。

未来将会在这个平台上发布一个关于心血管磁共振（CMR）的课程。请留意关注!

致謝此课程获得深圳医疗卫生“三名工程”的资助。我们衷心感谢香港大学放射诊断科的Benedicte Coiffier和范博涵协助组织在线课程，以及香港大学科创习新小组制作课程材料。我们非常感谢香港大学深圳医院医学影像中心放射科的同事罗琳、陈燕与何健龙把所有文本翻译成中文。感谢Dr Nitin Ramamurthy 和Dr Jhonatan Bringas的帮助。

What's inside

Learning objectives

Cardiac anatomy as seen on ct.
Different types of cardiac ct examinations and their roles such as calcium score, ct coronary angiogram, ct pulmonary veins and tavi.
How to interpret cardiac ct examinations and ct angiography.
How to acquire images at the scanner whilst reducing radiation dose and to do image post-processing for analysis.
More advanced utilization of cardiac ct in coronary artery disease, such as ventricular function and ct ffr.
Understanding and experience using dedicated software to interpret cardiac images, through our web forum.

在ct上看到的心脏解剖结构。
不同类型的心脏ct检查及其应用，如在钙评分，ct冠状动脉造影，ct肺静脉和tavi中。
如何诠释心脏ct检查和ct血管造影检查。
如何进行图像扫描，并同时减少辐射剂量和如何进行图像后处理并分析结果。
心脏ct在冠状动脉疾病较为前沿的利用，如心室功能和ct ffr。
通过网络研讨会和论坛，了解并体验如何使用专用软件解读心脏图像。

Cardiac anatomy as seen on ct.
Different types of cardiac ct examinations and their roles such as calcium score, ct coronary angiogram, ct pulmonary veins and tavi.
How to interpret cardiac ct examinations and ct angiography.
How to acquire images at the scanner whilst reducing radiation dose and to do image post-processing for analysis.
More advanced utilization of cardiac ct in coronary artery disease, such as ventricular function and ct ffr.
Understanding and experience using dedicated software to interpret cardiac images, through our web forum.
在ct上看到的心脏解剖结构。
不同类型的心脏ct检查及其应用，如在钙评分，ct冠状动脉造影，ct肺静脉和tavi中。
如何诠释心脏ct检查和ct血管造影检查。
如何进行图像扫描，并同时减少辐射剂量和如何进行图像后处理并分析结果。
心脏ct在冠状动脉疾病较为前沿的利用，如心室功能和ct ffr。
通过网络研讨会和论坛，了解并体验如何使用专用软件解读心脏图像。

Syllabus

You will also have the opportunity to practice on clinical cases and discuss this through our web forum every week.

您还将有机会练习临床案例，并每周通过我们的网络论坛进行讨论。

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Gives learners an edge in understanding innovation and groundbreaking topics within Cardiac CT

Examines anatomy and roles for different types of cardiac CT

Taught by experts in the field of Cardiac CT

Offers hands-on experience to analyze cardiac CT images at level 1 competency

Introduces basic understanding of future developments in the cardiac CT field

Requires prior experience with radiology, cardiology, or related fields

Reviews summary

Advanced cardiac ct: comprehensive & practical

According to learners, 'Advanced Cardiac Imaging: Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT)' is a highly comprehensive course providing a strong foundation and advanced insights into cardiac CT. Students particularly commend the invaluable hands-on experience offered through 50 real clinical cases and the use of dedicated software, which is seen as crucial for practical application. The expert instructors deliver content with clarity, making complex topics accessible. While the course is lauded for its practical relevance to radiologists and cardiologists, some learners report challenges with software installation and stability, and occasional inconsistencies in forum support.

Pace can be fast, potentially challenging for those new to the field.

"The pace felt a bit fast for truly absorbing all the nuances, especially for me with limited prior experience."

"I would have appreciated more detailed explanations for some complex concepts; some parts felt a bit rushed."

"It definitely lives up to the 'Advanced' in its name, but it starts with solid fundamentals."

Provides thorough coverage from basics to advanced topics.

"This course is incredibly well-structured and comprehensive... The instructors clearly are experts, and their explanations were concise and easy to follow."

"Absolutely fantastic! The coverage of topics from basic anatomy to advanced applications like CT FFR was excellent."

"An exceptional course for medical professionals seeking to enhance their cardiac CT skills. The structure builds knowledge progressively."

"The explanations are clear, and it really helped me prepare for real-world scenarios."

Offers extensive hands-on practice with 50 real-world scenarios.

"The 50 clinical cases were invaluable for hands-on practice, and the dedicated software provided a realistic simulation."

"The real-life case studies are a game-changer; they really solidify the theoretical knowledge."

"I loved the practical approach of this course. The 50 cases were brilliant, and the software, once installed, worked well."

"This course provided an excellent foundation... The case studies were very realistic and helped consolidate my learning."

Some students reported slow or insufficient responses on the web forum.

"The forum support was not as responsive as I hoped."

"My questions weren't always answered promptly, and the web forum felt less interactive than advertised."

Some learners faced significant issues with software setup and bugs.

"I spent more time trying to get the software to work than actually analyzing cases. The installation and usage were quite challenging."

"The software was buggy and difficult to set up, which made the practical aspect a letdown for me."

"Make sure your system meets the software requirements for the 50 cases, as they are essential."

"I found the support lacking for technical issues, which meant a significant portion of the course's value was lost."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Advanced Cardiac Imaging: Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT) with these activities:

Review Cardiac CT Examination

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Reviewing the common Cardiac CT examinations will provide you with a foundation for how to acquire images and to interpret them.

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Read through the materials provided about Cardiac CT Examination
Review materials and videos on different types of Cardiac CT examinations

Compile Learning Resources

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Compiling a list of learning resources will help you create a valuable repository of materials for future reference.

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Gather all the course materials, including lectures, notes, and assignments
Sort and organize the materials by topic
Create a system for easy retrieval of the materials

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Career center

Learners who complete Advanced Cardiac Imaging: Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Interventional Radiologist

Interventional radiologists are radiologists who use imaging techniques to perform minimally invasive procedures without the need for major surgery. This course can be particularly useful for those interested in interventional radiology, as it provides an in-depth look at advanced cardiac imaging techniques and their application in clinical practice.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interventional Radiologist

Cardiac Imaging Researcher

Cardiac imaging researchers are involved in the development and evaluation of new cardiac imaging technologies and methods. This course can provide a strong foundation for those interested in a research career in cardiac imaging, as it covers the latest advances in the field and provides hands-on experience with cardiac imaging data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cardiac Imaging Researcher

Radiology Resident

Radiologists are medical doctors who interpret images captured using X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, and other types of imaging technologies. They provide vital information to other healthcare professionals that can help diagnose and treat medical conditions. This course could be a helpful step towards radiology residency, as it provides a solid foundation in cardiac imaging and helps build critical thinking skills necessary for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Radiology Resident

Medical Physicist

Medical physicists are scientists who work with medical professionals to ensure the safe and effective use of radiation and other imaging technologies in healthcare. This course can provide a good foundation for those interested in medical physics, as it covers the principles of radiation physics and its applications in medical imaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Physicist

Cardiovascular Technologist

Cardiovascular technologists are healthcare professionals who specialize in performing and interpreting cardiac imaging tests. This course may be beneficial for those who wish to become cardiovascular technologists, as it provides a comprehensive overview of cardiac imaging techniques and their applications in patient care.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cardiovascular Technologist

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear medicine technologists are healthcare professionals who use radioactive substances to diagnose and treat medical conditions. This course may be beneficial for those interested in nuclear medicine technology, as it provides a good overview of nuclear medicine imaging techniques and their applications in patient care.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Radiation Therapist

Radiation therapists are healthcare professionals who use radiation to treat cancer and other medical conditions. This course may be helpful for those interested in radiation therapy, as it provides a good understanding of radiation physics and its applications in healthcare.

See salaries and explore the career path for Radiation Therapist

Ultrasound Technologist

Ultrasound technologists are healthcare professionals who use ultrasound technology to create images of the body's organs and tissues. This course may be helpful for those interested in ultrasound technology, as it provides a good understanding of the principles of ultrasound imaging and its applications in healthcare.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ultrasound Technologist

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist

Magnetic resonance imaging technologists are healthcare professionals who use MRI technology to create images of the body's organs and tissues. This course may be beneficial for those interested in MRI technology, as it provides a good overview of the principles of MRI imaging and its applications in healthcare.

See salaries and explore the career path for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist

Computed Tomography Technologist

Computed tomography technologists are healthcare professionals who use CT technology to create images of the body's organs and tissues. This course may be helpful for those interested in CT technology, as it provides a good overview of the principles of CT imaging and its applications in healthcare.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computed Tomography Technologist

Radiation Safety Officer

Radiation safety officers are responsible for ensuring the safe and compliant use of radiation in healthcare settings. This course may be helpful for those interested in radiation safety, as it provides a good understanding of radiation physics and its applications in healthcare.

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Medical Equipment Sales Representative

Medical equipment sales representatives are responsible for selling and marketing medical equipment to healthcare providers. This course may be helpful for those interested in medical equipment sales, as it provides a good understanding of the medical imaging industry and its products.

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Science Writer

Science writers communicate complex scientific and medical information to the public. This course may be helpful for those interested in science writing, as it provides a good understanding of the medical imaging field and its applications in healthcare.

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Technical Writer

Technical writers create instruction manuals, technical reports, and other documentation for a variety of industries. This course may be helpful for those interested in technical writing, as it provides a good understanding of the medical imaging field and its applications in healthcare.

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Patent Attorney

Patent attorneys help inventors protect their intellectual property. This course may be helpful for those interested in patent law, as it provides a good understanding of the medical imaging field and its applications in healthcare.

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