Table 1.

Example of a case scenario (abbreviated here) used in the hemodynamic disorders unit

History: This 66-year-old man was admitted with a 24-hour history of chest pain and acute shortness of breath and blood tinged sputum. He was a heavy smoker and had a family history of heart disease.

Physical findings: Vital signs: pulse 140/min, respirations 42/min, BP 80/50 mm Hg. He was cyanotic with moist crackles and wheezes over both lung fields.

Laboratory findings: Chest x-ray (which is consistent with pulmonary edema)

Clinical course: In spite of appropriate treatment, 2 days later he suddenly became aphasic and paralyzed on the right side of his body. Renal output progressively decreased and he died 2 days later.

Autopsy findings: Gross image of heart (which shows atherosclerosis, coronary thrombus, acute myocardial infarct and a mural thrombus) Gross image of lung (which shows marked pulmonary edema) Microscopic of lung (which shows pulmonary edema and mild emphysema) Examination of the brain was not permitted.