Competency ID

Medical Knowledge

All Clinical Cardiologists

Selected Cardiologists Based on Practice Focus

L-ACS-MK1

Know the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, and natural history of acute coronary syndromes, including the roles of plaque rupture, erosion, platelet activation, vasospasm, and thrombosis.

X

L-ACS-MK2

Know the disorders that can simulate or mask acute coronary syndromes.

X

L-ACS-MK3

Know the risk assessment tools applicable to patients with acute coronary syndromes.

X

L-ACS-MK4

Know the indications for, clinical pharmacology of, and contraindications to antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and other pharmacologic therapies in patients with ischemic heart disease.

X

L-ACS-MK5

Know the principles and timing of rehabilitation and secondary prevention measures for patients with acute coronary syndromes.

X

ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI):

L-ACS-MK6

Know the characteristic symptoms, physical findings, ECG patterns, and biomarker findings in patients with STEMI.

X

L-ACS-MK7

Know the effects and time course of ischemic injury on ventricular function and remodeling in patients with STEMI.

X

L-ACS-MK8

Know the potential hemodynamic complications (including hypotension, low cardiac output, heart failure, and shock) in patients with STEMI.

X

L-ACS-MK9

Know the potential arrhythmia and conduction complications associated with STEMI.

X

L-ACS-MK10

Know the potential mechanical complications (including papillary muscle rupture and myocardial rupture) associated with STEMI.

X

L-ACS-MK11

Know the characteristic clinical findings and potential complications of right ventricular infarction.

X

L-ACS-MK12

Know the indications for, contraindications to, and risks of reperfusion therapies and the clinical, ECG, and angiographic signs of reperfusion in patients with STEMI.

X

L-ACS-MK13

Know the relative benefits and risks of fibrinolysis and primary percutaneous coronary intervention as initial reperfusion strategies.

X

L-ACS-MK14

Know the indications for transfer, coronary angiography, and revascularization in patients with STEMI who have not received primary percutaneous coronary intervention, including those treated or untreated with initial reperfusion therapy.

X

Non–ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes (NSTE-ACS):

L-ACS-MK15

Know the differential diagnosis and characteristic clinical, ECG, myocardial imaging, and biomarker features used for diagnosis and risk stratification in patients with NSTE-ACS.

X

L-ACS-MK16

Know the relative risks and benefits of an initial invasive versus ischemia-guided strategy for angiography and revascularization in patients with NSTE-ACS.

X

Patient Care and Procedural Skills

All

Practice Focused

L-ACS-PC1

Skills to evaluate patients with STEMI and initiate appropriate reperfusion therapy within guideline-recommended timeframes.

X

L-ACS-PC2

Skill to employ appropriate antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and other pharmacologic therapies for patients with acute coronary syndromes.

X

L-ACS-PC3

Skills to identify the cause of and treat hemodynamic disturbances (including hypotension, low cardiac output, heart failure, acute pulmonary edema, and shock) in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

X

L-ACS-PC4

Skills to identify and treat arrhythmias and conduction disturbances in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

X

L-ACS-PC5

Skill to diagnose mechanical complications (including papillary muscle rupture and myocardial rupture) in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

X

L-ACS-PC6

Skill to implement mechanical support for patients with complications of acute coronary syndromes (including papillary muscle rupture and myocardial rupture).

X

L-ACS-PC7

Skills to diagnose and treat patients with right ventricular infarction.

X

L-ACS-PC8

Skills to assess ventricular function in patients with acute coronary syndromes and integrate this information in clinical management.

X

L-ACS-PC9

Skills to assess risk in patients with NSTE-ACS, establish an optimal medical regimen, and identify candidates for invasive evaluation and treatment.

X

L-ACS-PC10

Skill to integrate invasive hemodynamic data and angiographic findings in the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes.

X

L-ACS-PC11

Skill to perform and interpret the results of coronary angiography in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

X

L-ACS-PC12

Skill to insert intra-arterial and pulmonary artery catheters and integrate the findings in the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes.

X

L-ACS-PC13

Skill to identify patients with acute coronary syndromes who benefit from mechanical circulatory support.

X

L-ACS-PC14

Skill to initiate and appropriately escalate therapies for secondary prevention in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

X