Cardiac structure and function in humans: a new cardiovascular physiology laboratory

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Medical Education
• Cardiovascular System

Background:

• The traditional cardiovascular control laboratory is no longer part of the first-year medical school curriculum.
• There is a need for alternative "hands-on" experiences to teach cardiovascular control mechanisms.
• Integrating practical learning reinforces didactic material.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and describe a novel cardiovascular control laboratory experience for medical students.
• To illustrate changes in cardiac and vascular function using practical physiological measurements.
• To provide a platform for discussing cardiovascular control mechanisms and their clinical relevance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an echocardiograph, automatic blood pressure cuff, and reclining bicycle for data acquisition.
• Developed protocols to assess cardiovascular responses to changes in posture, venous return, and graded exercise.
• Employed medical student volunteers and a professional echocardiographer for data generation and collection.

Main Results:

• Successfully illustrated in vivo cardiac and vascular function changes across various physiological states.
• Generated data allowed for extensive calculations and discussions on physiological principles in small groups.
• The laboratory effectively derived information on numerous cardiovascular control mechanisms and their link to dysfunction.

Conclusions:

• The developed cardiovascular laboratory serves as an effective tool to reinforce lectures and small-group sessions.
• This hands-on approach enhances understanding of complex cardiovascular control mechanisms.
• The experience highlights the relevance of physiological principles to cardiovascular dysfunction.