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Unit information: Adult Cardiopulmonary Bypass Principles and Practice (CVP-DL) in 2023/24

Unit name Adult Cardiopulmonary Bypass Principles and Practice (CVP-DL)
Unit code BRMSM0065
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director Mr. Oliver
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

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

Unit Information

Why is this unit important?

A thorough understanding of the theory of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and evidence-based perfusion practice is central to this programme. This unit delivers comprehensive coverage of key topics related to the essential principles and use of CPB. It highlights the diversity of practice within the UK and across the World and provides a springboard for the exploration of more advanced perfusion-based techniques in the Advanced Perfusion unit.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study?

This unit is at the heart of the programme. It runs in TB2 of first year of study and provides an essential foundation for more specialised and in-depth perfusion-related topics covered in the Paediatric Perfusion and Advanced Perfusion units in year 2.

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content

This unit provides comprehensive coverage of the design and function of components and accessories related to the use of the CPB circuit (including pumps, oxygenators, filters, safety devices, cell-salvage machines, and intra-aortic balloon pumps). It will introduce the challenges associated with cardiac surgery and CPB and the use of an artificial circuit (including blood loss, ischaemia/reperfusion and the systemic inflammatory response). It will provide an overview of drugs used by the perfusionist and anaesthetist to manage patients on CPB. This unit will discuss the role of the perfusionist as part of a large complex team and introduce clinical debriefing.

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit

This unit will develop and consolidate your theoretical knowledge of CPB. It will allow you to appreciate the range of perfusion practice and to think critically about the approaches used in your workplace. It will develop your confidence to question practice and encourage you to consider the evidence-base for the methods used.

Learning Outcomes

  • Critically evaluate the design and selection of components used in a CPB circuit.
  • Discuss and critically evaluate the interaction between the CPB circuit and the patient and the role of the perfusionist in controlling these interactions.
  • Analyse the individual perfusion requirements of the patient and plan appropriately to meet the needs of the patient.
  • Critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of CPB with respect to a wide range of surgical procedures.

How you will learn

  • Core content will be delivered via on-line asynchronous audio / video lectures supplemented with synchronous / asynchronous seminars allowing students to engage flexibly with teaching and learning.
  • On-line synchronous tutorials
  • Self-directed study
  • On-line discussion forums

On-line synchronous sessions will provide support through the unit including for coursework tasks. Students will be given formative feedback on all coursework assessments to aid their learning.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):

Group discussion and presentation on the evidence-base for an aspect of perfusion practice.

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

Coursework (contributing 60% to the unit mark) consisting of:

  • Multiple choice questions (MCQs), submitted within one month after the teaching for this unit to review and test your foundation knowledge of the unit core content. Contribute 10% to the unit mark.
  • Essay (2000 words), submitted at the start of the subsequent teaching unit. Contributes 35% to the unit mark
  • Individual circuit presentation, presented during the subsequent teaching unit. Contributes 15% to the unit mark.
  • Written exam, at the end of the academic year. Contributes 40% to the unit mark.

The overall pass-mark for the unit is 50%.

When assessment does not go to plan:

If the overall pass mark for the unit (50%) is not achieved, students will be expected to resit the failed unit assessment. The resit assessment may not be in the same form as the original assessment but will test the same learning outcomes. The resit unit mark will be capped at 50%.

Resources

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. BRMSM0065).

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.

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