A patient presents to the ER because of thoracic pain and shortness of breath: which clinical conditions should be considered in making a preliminary diagnosis? Which test are more appropriate and which are not? Which treatment should be established pending definitive diagnosis?

To know and understand main clinical conditions responsible of acute thoracic and abdominal pain.

Apply these knowledge to make a preliminary diagnostic hypothesys and to order further lab tests.

Acquire awareness about short and medium term risk related to  the above mentioned clinical presentations.

The course is organized on a total of 15 hours, 10 hours of traditional lectures and 5 hours of interactive practical group work on real life clinical scenarios

1. Chest pain (differential diagnosis  between acute ischemic heart disease and pulmunary embolism)
2. Acute abdominal pain
3. Acute kidney injury and acute kidney failure
4. Acute gastro-intestinal bleeding

Teacher’s own notes

Main Internal and emergency medicine textbooks

Written examination (multiple choice questions)

The final exame is the only tool of evaluation (MCQs).

In order to pass test each student willl have to get a mark not inferior to 18/30

He/she also will be requested to know the following topics:

1. Chest pain (differential diagnosis  between acute ischemic heart disease and pulmunary embolism)
2. Acute abdominal pain
3. Acute kidney injury and acute kidney failure
4. Acute gastro-intestinal bleeding

• The student will be requested to discuss diagnostic & therapeutic options for the above mentioned clinical conditions.

Top grade of  30/30 (eventually with laude) will be awarded in case of excellent knowledge/skills on the above mentioned topics.

Teacher’s email:  roberto.pontremoli@unige.it