Introduction

This rotation guide addresses a range of topics that you will encounter on the general inpatient service; some topics not included will be important in ambulatory settings or the coronary care unit.

This rotation guide covers the following topics:

Other topics related to cardiology are covered in the following rotation guides:

Hypertension, Hypercholesterolemia (Ambulatory Care)
Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) and Anticoagulation (Hematology)
Targeted Temperature Management (Neurology)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) (Emergency Medicine)

Michael White, MD, is the Valleywise Health Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer (EVP, CMO) and serves as a liaison between Valleywise, District Medical Group, and the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance. He has also held the role of Associate Dean for Education Innovation at Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, since 2015. He is an interventional cardiologist and received his medical degree from the Creighton University School of Medicine, where he completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiovascular disease.

This rotation guide was developed by a collaborative team of contributors, including:
Writers: Michael Mi, MD; Andrea Merrill, MD; Ramya Ramaswami, MBBS, MPH (NEJM Fellows)
Peer Reviewers: David Dudzinski, MD; Dan Blumenthal, MD; Rebecca Lumsden; and Lauren Gilstrap, MD
Section Expert: Michael White, MD
Senior Editor: Ole-Petter Hamnvik, MB BCh BAO, MMSc
Last updated: June 2023 by Michael Mi, MD

Brief Case Presentations with Videos

Cardiology Videos

Examination of the Neck Veins

Examination of the neck veins is routinely performed to evaluate right atrial pressure and to estimate intravascular volume in patients with dyspnea, edema, or hypovolemia. In patients with dyspnea or edema, it is essential to estimate the venous pressure and to perform the abdominojugular reflux test at the bedside, as described in...

Focused Cardiac Ultrasonography for Left Ventricular Systolic Function

This video presents a practical method for conducting focused cardiac ultrasonography, a qualitative or semiquantitative means of assessing cardiac size, structure, and function at the bedside. The video shows how to perform visual assessment of left ventricular systolic...

Peripheral Arterial Disease of the Lower Limbs

Arterial disease of the lower limbs is often encountered in general and specialist practice. This video presents the systematic assessment of arterial perfusion of the lower limbs to prevent limb or tissue loss.

Carotid Sinus Massage

This video reviews the indications and contraindications for and the techniques involved in carotid sinus massage, a noninvasive diagnostic test used to detect carotid sinus hypersensitivity and, in emergencies, to diagnose or treat paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

Electrocardiographic Monitoring in Adults

Use of Pressure Transducers

Disposable pressure transducers are used to obtain a precise and continuous measurement of physiological pressures. This video reviews the use of a pressure transducer to monitor hemodynamic pressures in adults.