| Unit name | Aneurysm, Peripheral Vascular Disease & Stroke |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BRMSM0035 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Hudson |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) | |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
Cardiovascular disease is not confined to the heart and its vessels, but can extend throughout the entire arterial system. This unit focusses on peripheral arterial disease (PAD; atherosclerosis of the arteries in the extremities), abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs; weakening and bulging of the abdominal aortic artery), and ischaemic stroke, which can be caused by atherosclerosis of the carotid artery. In 2010, the global prevalence of PAD was estimated at 200 million people and these figures have since been rising steadily. 8 out of 10 individuals with ruptured AAAs die before reaching hospital, or during or after emergency surgical intervention. Stroke is the leading cause of disability and second leading cause of death worldwide. This unit covers the clinical and translational aspects of PAD, AAAs and stroke, and highlights the importance of clinicians and translational research scientists working together to enhance our understanding of disease mechanisms and thereby develop new and effective therapies.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit complements several other units on the programme and is taught over TB1 and TB2. Atherosclerosis underlies the development of peripheral arterial disease and contributes to some forms of stroke and aortic aneurysm, therefore you will draw on your knowledge of atherosclerosis pathophysiology gained in Coronary Artery Disease I. Research techniques covered in this unit, including animal models of disease, can be applied during the Research Project unit (MSc students only). After building your confidence during previous group presentations, you will deliver an individual poster presentation, which will prepare you for your final oral assessment in the Research Project.
An overview of content
This unit will introduce you to both the clinical and translational aspects of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), and stroke. You will gain an understanding of the clinical aspects of these diseases, which will encompass patient screening, patient assessment and clinical investigation, as well as medical management, and radiological and surgical interventions. You will also explore the risk factors and epidemiology of these diseases. Key clinical trials will be discussed throughout for you to critically reflect on. You will also examine evolving theories around the pathogenesis of AAAs. Additionally, you will be given an insight into translational, pre-clinical research on PAD, AAAs and stroke: animal models of the diseases will be covered with a particular emphasis on evaluating their value and limitations, and you will learn about newly emerging therapies and technologies.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
You will be able to discuss the clinical aspects of PAD, AAAs and stroke; including screening, assessment and management. You will have an appreciation of the current theories surrounding the pathogenesis of AAAs and will draw on your knowledge of atherosclerosis pathobiology to understand the pathogenesis of PAD and carotid artery disease. You will also expand your knowledge of animal models used in translational cardiovascular research. In doing so, you will be able to critically examine ongoing translational research and evaluate current and emerging treatments. Furthermore, you will have opportunity to further master your individual presentation skills.
Learning Outcomes
Students successfully completing this unit will be able to:
The core content will be delivered via in-person lectures (campus students) or lecture recordings (online students). Lecture recordings will be available to all students so you can review the lecture material multiple times at your own pace, with the inclusion of captions. Lectures will be supplemented with additional teaching methods such as:
Students will be given formative feedback on all coursework assessments to aid their learning.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan:
If you do not pass the unit, you will normally be given the opportunity to take a reassessment as per the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes. Decisions on the award of reassessment will normally be taken after all taught units of the year have been completed. Reassessment will normally be in a similar format to the original assessment that has been failed.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. BRMSM0035).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
