Postgraduate study

Postgraduate taught 

Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disease MSc(MedSci)

Advanced Cardiac Dysfunction and Heart Failure MED5689

Advanced Cardiac Dysfunction and Heart Failure MED5689

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No

Short Description

This advanced course offers a critical and in-depth exploration of heart failure and cardiac dysfunction, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of its epidemiology, diagnostic pathways, and evidence-based management strategies. The curriculum is structured around key thematic areas, including prevention, diagnosis, and medical management; device-based interventions; advanced therapies; and the genetic basis of heart failure, with focused study on conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HOCM), amyloidosis, and comorbid conditions. 

Timetable

This course is made up of lectures (approx. 1-2 hours in length) and tutorials (approx. 1-2 hours in length). 

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Portfolio (100%). The assessment will include:

  • Pre-recorded oral presentation on the epidemiology of heart failure and/or cardiac dysfunction (25%, 10 min) (ILO1).
  • Summarise three relevant clinical trials, accompanied by a comparative critique evaluating their designs, outcomes, and methodological strengths and limitations (75%, 1000 words) (ILO2, ILO3). 

Course Aims

The specific aims of this course are to:

  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiological, pathophysiological and therapeutic foundations of heart failure and cardiac dysfunction.
  • Encourage critical engagement research and clinical evidence, fostering the ability to explore and reflect on emerging therapeutic strategies and interventions.
  • Support independent research inquiry, enabling students to identify gaps in current knowledge and develop well-founded perspectives that advance understanding and innovation in the field of cardiac dysfunction and heart failure.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

  1. Evaluate scientific literature to identify key risk risk factors, and the epidemiological, pathophysiology and therapeutic aspects of cardiovascular disease, specifically cardiac dysfunction and heart failure.
  2. Critically appraise relevant clinical trial evidence to identify and interpret key design features, outcomes, and limitations of therapeutic interventions for cardiac dysfunction and heart failure.
  3. Synthesise evidence from relevant clinical trials to develop a critical understanding of their collective strengths, limitations, and impact on advancing clinical practice in cardiac dysfunction and heart failure.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course’s summative assessment.