General dentists should familiarize themselves with the vocabulary utilized by the medical community when discussing the evaluation and management of the Cardiovascular patient.  Emphasis will be given to Cardiovascular Anatomy, Congenital Cardiovascular Pathology, and issues surrounding both Hypertension and specific Cardiovascular Pathology. 

 

Time will be spent developing an understanding of the anatomy of the heart and the major portions of the vascular tree.  A discussion centering around diagnostic tools utilized in the evaluation of cardiovascular disease/function will be a central theme of this presentation.  Pharmacologic intervention with a special emphasis on specific classes of drugs utilized to treat hypertension, atrial fibrillation, cardiac rate and rhythm disturbances, and heart failure will be covered.  Many of our patients undergo either interventional cardiology procedures or cardiothorasic surgical procedures to manage various pathologic cardiovascular conditions.  These interventional/surgical techniques will be covered so that the participant can speak intelligently with the patient’s medical providers when it comes to understanding the patient’s cardiovascular pathology/physiology. 

 

Finally, we will spend a significant portion of the evening program discussing the dental management strategies for the cardiovascular patient.  Many of the cardiovascular patients are on some form of anticoagulant therapy.  Strategies for managing patients that are utilizing the various anticoagulant medications will be covered.  Please join us as we embark on our journey to better understand the cardiovascular patient population.