UW Medicine Spring in Seattle XIX – Clinical Cardiology Pearls for Primary Care 2020

Practical Cardiology Update for Primary Care Providers

Overview

The UW Medicine Spring in Seattle XIX: Clinical Cardiology Pearls for Primary Care 2020 is a clinically focused cardiovascular education program developed by the University of Washington School of Medicine to provide practical, evidence-based guidance for primary care clinicians managing common cardiovascular diseases.

Held on April 27–28, 2020, the course emphasizes real-world cardiovascular problems frequently encountered in outpatient practice. Through case-based lectures and interactive discussions, faculty review contemporary guidelines and practical management strategies for hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, valvular heart disease, syncope, and cardiovascular risk reduction.

The curriculum focuses on helping clinicians make appropriate diagnostic, therapeutic, and referral decisions while improving cardiovascular outcomes.

Course Features

• Case-Based Cardiology Education
• Primary Care–Focused Curriculum
• Evidence-Based Clinical Updates
• Interactive Learning Format
• Practical Diagnostic Algorithms
• Guideline Review Sessions
• Cardiovascular Risk Management Updates
• Referral Decision-Making Strategies
• Heart Failure & Arrhythmia Reviews
• University of Washington Faculty

Target Audience

Physicians

• Family Medicine Physicians
• Internal Medicine Physicians
• Primary Care Physicians
• General Practitioners
• Cardiologists

Healthcare Professionals

• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants
• Nurses
• Medical Trainees
• Allied Health Professionals

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Manage hypertension using current guideline recommendations.
• Apply modern lipid management strategies.
• Utilize emerging cholesterol-lowering therapies appropriately.
• Select appropriate stress testing modalities.
• Diagnose and manage valvular heart disease.
• Identify patients requiring echocardiography referral.
• Evaluate and manage chronic coronary artery disease.
• Diagnose and treat common cardiac arrhythmias.
• Optimize atrial fibrillation management and stroke prevention.
• Evaluate syncope using evidence-based approaches.
• Manage heart failure in outpatient settings.
• Incorporate diabetes therapies with cardiovascular benefits into clinical practice.

Core Topics Covered

Hypertension Management

A major component of the course reviews contemporary blood pressure management.

Topics Include

• Updated hypertension guidelines
• Blood pressure targets
• Risk reduction strategies
• Medication selection
• Resistant hypertension
• Outpatient management

Faculty provide practical approaches applicable to primary care practice.

Cholesterol Management & Preventive Cardiology

The symposium reviews contemporary approaches to cardiovascular prevention.

Covered Areas

• Cholesterol guidelines
• ASCVD risk assessment
• Statin therapy
• Novel lipid-lowering agents
• Primary prevention
• Secondary prevention

Participants learn evidence-based strategies for reducing cardiovascular risk.

Coronary Artery Disease

Dedicated sessions focus on chronic coronary disease management.

Topics Include

• Stable coronary artery disease
• Chest pain evaluation
• Medical management
• Risk factor modification
• Secondary prevention
• Referral indications

Faculty emphasize practical decision-making in outpatient care.

Stress Testing & Diagnostic Evaluation

The course reviews appropriate use of cardiovascular testing.

Covered Topics

• Exercise stress testing
• Imaging stress tests
• Diagnostic pathways
• Chest pain evaluation
• Test selection
• Interpretation of results

Participants learn when specific testing modalities are most appropriate.

Valvular Heart Disease

A practical review of common valvular disorders is included.

Topics Include

• Heart murmur evaluation
• Aortic stenosis
• Mitral regurgitation
• Echocardiography indications
• Referral timing
• Surgical and transcatheter intervention considerations

Arrhythmias & Palpitations

The symposium reviews common rhythm disorders seen in primary care.

Covered Areas

• Palpitations evaluation
• Ambulatory rhythm monitoring
• Supraventricular arrhythmias
• Referral indications
• Diagnostic workup
• Management strategies

Atrial Fibrillation

One of the core educational topics is atrial fibrillation.

Topics Include

• AF diagnosis
• Rate control
• Rhythm control
• Stroke prevention
• Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs)
• Risk assessment

Faculty discuss contemporary anticoagulation strategies and patient selection.

Heart Failure

The course reviews diagnosis and management of heart failure.

Covered Topics

• Recognition of heart failure
• HFrEF management
• HFpEF evaluation
• Medication therapy
• Referral considerations
• Long-term monitoring

Participants gain practical tools for outpatient management.

Syncope Evaluation

The symposium provides a structured approach to syncope.

Topics Include

• Differential diagnosis
• Cardiovascular causes
• Risk stratification
• Diagnostic testing
• Ambulatory monitoring
• Referral decisions

Diabetes & Cardiovascular Disease

A modern review of diabetes therapies with cardiovascular benefit is included.

Covered Areas

• Cardiovascular risk reduction
• Diabetes and ASCVD
• SGLT2 inhibitors
• GLP-1 receptor agonists
• Evidence-based prescribing
• Cardiometabolic care

Why This Course Stands Out

✔ Designed specifically for primary care clinicians

✔ Practical case-based learning format

✔ Strong focus on common cardiovascular conditions

✔ Comprehensive prevention and risk reduction content

✔ Current hypertension and cholesterol guideline updates

✔ Extensive atrial fibrillation education

✔ Appropriate use of cardiovascular testing

✔ Practical referral guidance

✔ Integration of cardiology and primary care management

✔ Direct clinical applicability