Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)

This rotation is designed to introduce students to the evaluation and management of acutely ill patients with primary cardiac disease. The spectrum of disease includes coronary syndromes (acute myocardial infarctions and unstable angina), resistant congestive heart failure, and life-threatening arrhythmia problems. In this rotation the student will be incorporated into the medical team that provides care to these patients, working closely with the medicine house staff, cardiology fellows and staff cardiologists. Learning occurs through daily teaching rounds, bedside evaluation, formal and informal lectures, and independent reading. During this rotation, students may expect to be introduced to invasive management of acute cardiac disease, principles of interventional cardiology and echocardiography, and the assessment of acutely ill patients. In addition, students may expect to further skills in the basic cardiology tolls of assessment; history, physical examination, and ECG interpretation.