Introduction

THE HEART

My  Teachers –

Tremendous Gratitude for the Rich  Inspiring and Lifelong  Memories  

Dr John Barlow

John Barlow, an eminent South African cardiologist, with his patient, Nelson Mandela

Drs Richard and Stella Van Praagh

PARTS THAT MAKE THE WHOLE
When  the PARTS have optimal
SIZE, SHAPE, POSITION ,and CHARACTER
with optimal CONNECTIONS 
then they  can 
FUNCTION together,
with a 
surprising and sometimes miraculous result

 

limited by
TIME .
DISORDER and or 
MISFORTUNE

and it our function to
to identify disorder
help bring it back

This is the beginning and the end of the story of the

HEART.

 

Artistic Rendition in Blue and Red
 Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD 87180b11b11.8S. Courtesy Ashley Davidoff, M.D.

 

 The Integrated Cardiac Module

AWARD Winner RSNA 2009

The Common Vein  Copyright 2009

RSNA 2009

Purposes/Aim

1) To take the user from the word “heart” via a progressive, logically organized, integrated knowledge base, to the most complex information of the heart.

2) To emphasize basic principles as a starting point for complex information.

3) To utilize images liberally and in every form to enhance the understanding of information.

4) To integrate the basic sciences and clinical sciences in one web based source.  Integration enables multiple perspectives of information, subtends understanding and results in true knowledge base of all aspects related to the heart.

5) To create a dynamic and adaptable learning environment that is able to change and grow over time.

6) To enable an arborized and easily navigable system.

Content Organization

“The Integrated Cardiac Module” provides a web based knowledge system, which starts with the basic sciences, and progressively connects the clinical information in one comprehensive source. Each of the disciplines is treated separately and integrated into the whole module. The viewer will learn about the cellular makeup, embryology, anatomy, pathology, imaging, and clinical disciplines. The addition of historical events adds richness to the program.

Summary

Integrated knowledge of the basic sciences with the clinical disciplines is essential to the practice of quality medicine. The content spans embryology, histology, anatomy, physiology, pathology, radiology, and clinical aspects. The infrastructure is organized around basic principles which progressively advance to more detail complexity.  Four basic phases in embryology are used to understand detailed anatomy and the pathogenesis of congenital heart disease for example.  Normal size and shape and their changes in the disease and manifestations in imaging are other examples.  An image library of over 2000 images, power point presentations, and selected links to internet sources provide integrated depth and breadth.

 The Common Vein

“Integrated Cardiac Module” is part of a larger project called The Common Vein (the common vein) which is an educational  program that  approaches  complex information by starting with the principles of medicine.  The organizational pattern is consistent throughout the program, is organ based, with the knowledge base for each of the organs starting out with a simple definition that incorporates the essence its structure, function, disease, diagnosis and treatment .  Each of these advances progressively in stepwise complexity, resulting in an arborised but integrated knowledge base.  Principles are continually emphasized and images are used extensively.

The Heart – Marvel of Nature
In an average lifetime, the heart beats more than two and a half billion times. This is a unbelievable feat of nature.
Ashley Davidoff 32061