Competency ID

Medical Knowledge

All Clinical Cardiologists

Selected Cardiologists Based on Practice Focus

L-HF-MK1

Know the pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, stages, and natural history of heart failure.

X

L-HF-MK2

Know the effects of heart failure on pulmonary, renal, and hepatic function, the nutritional and metabolic implications of heart failure, and the interactions of heart failure with other systemic diseases.

X

L-HF-MK3

Know the characteristic history and physical examination findings, and their limitations in the evaluation of patients with heart failure.

X

L-HF-MK4

Know the pathophysiology and cardinal clinical findings of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

X

L-HF-MK5

Know the indications for, contraindications to, clinical pharmacology, and potential adverse effects of drugs used to treat patients with heart failure.

X

L-HF-MK6

Know the management of cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disturbances in patients with heart failure, including the indications for and risks of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization devices.

X

L-HF-MK7

Know the indications for referral of patients with advanced heart failure for mechanical support devices and cardiac transplantation.

X

L-HF-MK8

Know the pathophysiology of heart failure at the molecular, cellular, and organ levels, with emphasis on the roles of neurohormonal activation and left ventricular remodeling in disease progression.

X

L-HF-MK9

Know the diagnostic and management strategies for patients with heart failure due to nonischemic forms of heart disease, including infiltrative and restrictive cardiomyopathies, inherited cardiomyopathies, and cardiomyopathies associated with pregnancy and cancer chemotherapy.

X

L-HF-MK10

Know the management strategies and complications of therapy for heart failure in special populations, including patients with congenital heart disease and chronic pulmonary disease.

X

L-HF-MK11

Know the indications for, contraindications to, and clinical pharmacology of intravenous vasoactive and inotropic drugs used for cardiovascular support in patients with advanced or/refractory heart failure.

X

L-HF-MK12

Know the indications for, contraindications to, and potential complications of endomyocardial biopsy.

X

L-HF-MK13

Know the types of and indications for mechanical circulatory support in patients with severe heart failure.

X

L-HF-MK14

Know the rationale and indications for pharmacologic management of patients with implanted mechanical circulatory support devices.

X

L-HF-MK15

Know the clinical pharmacology and use of immunosuppressive and other medications in heart transplant recipients developing acute rejection.

X

Patient Care and Procedural Skills

All

Practice Focused

L-HF-PC1

Skill to incorporate data from the clinical history, laboratory studies, and imaging modalities in the evaluation and management of patients with heart failure.

X

L-HF-PC2

Skills to evaluate and manage patients with new onset, chronic, and acutely decompensated heart failure.

X

L-HF-PC3

Skill to manage comorbidities in patients with heart failure.

X

L-HF-PC4

Skill to use the clinical history and findings on physical examination to accurately assess volume status and systemic perfusion in patients with heart failure.

X

L-HF-PC5

Skill to integrate hemodynamic measurements and data from physiological monitoring in the management of patients with decompensated heart failure.

X

L-HF-PC6

Skills to evaluate and treat cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disturbances in patient with heart failure and identify candidates for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy, or arrhythmia ablation procedures.

X

L-HF-PC7

Skill to manage depression and anxiety as part of the overall care of patients with heart failure and appropriately seek psychiatric consultation. 

X

L-HF-PC8

Skills to effectively utilize an interdisciplinary approach to monitor the progress of ambulatory patients with heart failure, maintain stability, and avoid preventable hospitalization.

X

L-HF-PC9

Skill to select and appropriately refer patients with heart failure for advanced therapies, including cardiac transplantation.

X

L-HF-PC10

Skill to identify appropriate candidates with advanced heart failure for palliative and hospice care.

X

L-HF-PC11

Skill to interpret the results of cardiopulmonary exercise testing and incorporate physical activity and exercise recommendations into the management of patients with heart failure.

X

L-HF-PC12

Skill to integrate imaging data into the evaluation and management of patients with heart failure.

X

L-HF-PC13

Skill to evaluate and manage patients with refractory heart failure.

X

L-HF-PC14

Skill to integrate hemodynamic and physiologic monitoring data in the management of complex patients with advanced heart failure.

X

L-HF-PC15

Skill to perform invasive hemodynamic monitoring in patients with heart failure.

X

L-HF-PC16

Skill to appropriately implement anti-arrhythmic drug therapy, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization devices, and substrate ablation procedures in patients with heart failure.

X

L-HF-PC17

Skill to identify and manage patients with heart failure who require transition from hospital to home or to a care facility while receiving intravenous infusion of inotropic or vasoactive agents.

X