JCV1060H - Developmental Cardiovascular Physiology

Course Coordinator:

 C. Wittnich

Description:

This course covers the development of the cardiovascular system from conception to adulthood with particular emphasis on the progressive maturational changes from fetus to adult, age related differences and developmental problems.

Topics include

  • Embryology and fetal development (cardiac and pulmonary development; fetal cardiac metabolism; fetal cardiac regulation; fetal circulation; fetal hemoglobin; maternal/fetal interaction and its implications; congenital anomalies)

  • Post-natal changes at birth (pressure changes; circulatory changes; unique aspects of newborn circulation; blood; metabolism; neonatal cardiac/vascular regulation; congenital anomalies-effects and treatment)

  • Maturational changes in the cardiopulmonary system from infancy to adulthood (structural; functional; metabolic; regulatory mechanisms)

This course is intended for students particularly interested in issues in developmental cardiovascular physiology including age related problems in maternal/fetal interaction, newborn and infant through to adult.

For the complete course outline, visit http://www.cscp.utoronto.ca

Prerequisite:

None.

Evaluation:

Grading will be based on Journal club (20%), Mini-assignment (10%), Essay outline (5%), Student Presentation: oral presentation on final term paper (25%), Final Essay - subject dealing with one of the lecture topics (40%).

Remarks:

Enrolment restrictions: Graduate students interested in heart research. Preference will be given to students enrolled in the Cardiovascular Sciences Collaborative Program.