Cardiovascular Pharmacology module (BS42019)

Semester 2

You will be exposed to advanced aspects of cardiovascular pharmacology. The module will specifically promote knowledge of: the role of the endothelium, with special emphasis on the role of endothelium-derived vasoactive chemicals, in the intracellular control of vascular smooth muscle tone, detailed understanding of neurohumoral mediators of vascular smooth muscle tone.

The module will also provide a comprehensive understanding of the cardiac action potential and the membrane conductances that underlie it, understanding of cardiac ischaemia and the phenomenon of ischaemic preconditioning as a protective mechanism and a knowledge of common cardiac dysrhythmias and their treatment by drugs.

Finally the module will consider how the sympathetic nervous system controls cardiac performance, the causes and consequences of heart failure, and current and evolving therapies for the management of heart failure, hypertension and lipid disorders and anti-thrombotic therapy.