Online CME: Cardiology
Last Updated January 31. 2008.

Special Notice!! Looking for reviewers to help keep the List up-to-date.

The sites described on this page are primarily concerned with cardiology. You will find other online CME sites and courses with cardiology content at the main online CME site.

American College of Cardiology Foundation Cardiosource  
Click on Self-Study Modules to find the sections offering online CME. Pricing depends on membership in ACC and level of subscription. prices quoted below are for members in practice.

American College of Cardiology Foundation Cardiosource should fill many of the educational needs of cardiologists. Those sections offering online CME are described below.

  • ACCSAP 6 (Adult Clinical Cardiology Self-Assessment Program)
    Last visited...1/2007.
    Credit hours...up to 140.
    Awarded by....American College of Cardiology Foundation.
    Cost..........$395.
    Instruct. Type...Board Review/ Self-Assessment.
    Target Audience....CARD.
    Educ. material last updated...3/05.
    Financial support...None Stated.

ACCSAP 6 contains 23 chapters covering the core curriculum of adult clinical cardiology; more than 600 self-assessment questions and answers; electronic score submission; input from more than 120 experts in the field; and thousands of images - many in color and full-motion video - all portable into PowerPoint. Some new chapters are: Risk Factor Management; Noninvasive Testing; Quality Measurement in Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery Principles of Cost-Effectiveness Analysis; Statistics; and Role of the Physical Exam. Some new topics are: Diabetes; Hemodynamics; and MRI.

  • Arrhythmia SAP Cardiac Arrhythmias and Electrophysiology Self-Assessment Program 
    Last visited...1/2007.
    Credit hours...up to 20.
    Awarded by....American College of Cardiology Foundation.
    Cost..........$150
    Instruction Type...Board Review/ Self-Assessment.
    Target Audience....CARD.
    Educ. material last updated...3/05.
    Financial support...None Stated.

Arrhythmia SAP offers comprehensive didactic material about arrhythmias and cardiac electrophysiology covering the following topics: Cellular Electrophysiology; Diagnostic Techniques; Disorders of Sinus and AV Nodal Conduction and Syncope; Pacemakers; Antiarrhythmic Drugs; Supraventricular Tachycardia; Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter; Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators; and Ventricular Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death.

  • Cardiac Computed Tomography Self-Assessment Program (CCTSAP)
    Last visited...6/2006.
    Credit hours...up to 25.
    Awarded by....American College of Cardiology Foundation.
    Cost..........$300.
    Instruction Type...Board Review/ Self-Assessment.
    Target Audience....CARD
    Educ. material last updated...4/06.
    Financial support...None Stated.

Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) allows physicians to noninvasively identify patients with a broad range of cardiac pathology ranging from subclinical atherosclerosis, obstructive coronary artery disease, and abnormalities of cardiovascular structure and function. CCTSAP provides you with a wealth of expert opinion. Additionally, it meets COCATS Level 1 training requirements for the subject.

  • Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMRSAP)
    Last visited...6/2006.
    Credit hours...up to 44.
    Awarded by....American College of Cardiology Foundation.
    Cost..........$375.
    Instruction Type...Board Review/ Self-Assessment.
    Target Audience....CARD
    Educ. material last updated...9/04.
    Financial support...None Stated.

This site features "50 case studies (enough to meet COCATS Level 1 training requirements) and comprehensive didactic material about Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging covering the following topics: Introduction to CMR; Cardiovascular Structure and Function; Congenital Heart Disease; Assessment of the Myocardium; and Assessment of the Vascular System." Also, "Almost 1,000 expertly processed clinical images; A panel of more than 70 expert authors; and Dozens of multiple-choice self-assessment questions."

  • EchoSAP5 Online (Echocardiography Self-Assessment Program)
    Last visited...6/2006.
    Credit hours...up to 31.
    Awarded by....American College of Cardiology Foundation.
    Cost..........$150
    Instruction Type...Board Review/ Self-Assessment.
    Target Audience....CARD
    Educ. material last updated...3/06.
    Financial support...None Stated.

This course contains a comprehensive overview of echocardiography and 50+ brand new case studies of varying degrees of difficulty that cover topics such as: cardiomyopathies and heart failure syndromes; pericardial disease; coronary artery disease; congenital heart disease; diseases of the aorta and vascular system; valvular heart disease; and new echocardiographic techniques. Also contains hundreds of expertly processed clinical images. Taught by a panel of more than 40 expert authors.

  • Focus on Acute Coronary Syndromes
    Last visited...6/2006.
    Credit hours...up to 30.
    Awarded by....American College of Cardiology Foundation.
    Cost..........$99.
    Instruction Type...Board Review/ Self-Assessment.
    Target Audience....CARD
    Educ. material last updated...Not stated.
    Financial support...None Stated.

After completing this course, you should be able to understand the pathophysiology of the acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with special emphasis on progression of coronary atherosclerosis and the mediators of plaque rupture, thrombosis, and myocardial ischemia; improve the diagnosis and risk-stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS); describe the clinical indications, efficacy, and potential complications related to antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and anti-ischemia medications used in ACS patients; and understand the rationale, efficacy, and risks associated with Reperfusion Therapies in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

  • Focus on Heart Failure
    Last visited...6/2006.
    Credit hours...up to 20.
    Awarded by....American College of Cardiology Foundation.
    Cost..........&100.
    Instruction Type...Board Review/ Self-Assessment.
    Target Audience....CARD
    Educ. material last updated...Not stated.
    Financial support...None Stated.

Four highly structured chapters of syllabus text covering Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathies; hundreds of high-quality, expertly processed images; dozens of self-assessment questions, many of them ABIM-style; more than ten interviews with experts on relevant subjects; "hot topic" essays from leaders in the field; and select clinical trial summaries and ACC/AHA Guidelines.

American Heart Association Scientific Sessions Online 2005  
Last visited...6/2006.
Credit hours..4 courses with 7.5 total hours.
Awarded by....American Heart Association.
Cost...........Free.
Instruction Type...Text-And-Graphics.
Target Audience...CARD.
Educational material last updated...11/04.
Financial support...Pfizer.

This site features highlights of the four day November 2005 meeting. You may earn credit by either reading and answering questions based on the summaries of each day's proceedings or by reading and answering questions based on 4 subject areas: basic science, clinical science, population science or lipids.

Anesoft Medical Simulation Software
Last visited....6/2006.
Credit hours....6 courses offering a total of 106 credit hours.
Awarded by....Anesoft Corporation.
Cost...........Typically about $10 per hour (see site for cost details).
Instruction Type....Case-Based-Interactive.
Target Audience....ANES, ER, CARD, CRIT CARE.
Educational material last updated...2002.
Financial support...None Stated.

You will find these simulator courses: course (credit hours): ACLS (10); Anesthesia (36); Bioterrorism (12); Critical Care (20); Hemodynamics (10); and Sedation (18). You can see a demo of each course before ordering.

Austin Heart CME
Last visited....6/2006.
Credit hours...3 courses, each offering 1.0 hour of credit.
Awarded by....Austin Heart, P.A.
Cost for Credit.....Free.
Instruction Type....Slide-Audio Lecture.
Target Audiences....CARD, FP, IM.
Educational material last updated...9/05.
Financial Support...Various commercial supporters.

Three courses are offered for cardiologists and primary care physicians interested in cardiology: Cardiovascular CT 2005; EBT: Coronary Plaque Detector; The Texas Advance Directives Act: An Exercise in Futility?

Baylor Cardiovascular Disease
Last visited...11/2007.
Credit hours...32 courses offering about 32 hours.
Awarded by....Baylor.
Cost...........Free.
Instruction Type....Slide-Video Lecture.
Target Audiences....FP, IM, CARD.
Educ. material last updated....2007.

A variety of courses on many aspects of cardiovascular disease with a special emphasis on lipid abnormalities and diabetes in heart disease. There is considerable overlap between these courses and those in the diabetes section.

Baylor Hypertension
Last visited...11/2007.
Credit hours...4 courses offering 4.0 total hours.
Awarded by....Baylor.
Cost for Credit....Free.
Instruction Type....Slide-Video Lecture.
Target Audiences.....FP, IM, CARD.
Educ. material last updated....2007
Financial Support...Merck.

Four courses on various aspects of hypertension.

Cardio Country Club (Cyberounds)
Last visited...11/2006.
Credit hours...2 "games" each offering up to 6 hours; total of 12 hours.
Awarded by....Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Cost for Credit....Free.
Instruction Type....Case-Based-Interactive Game.
Target Audience....FP, IM, ER, CARD.
Educational material last updated...2004.
Financial support...Pfizer.

The original "Cardio Country Club" contains a set of brief case presentations on hypertension and arrhythmias. The newer "Cardio Country Club Mini Golf" concerns the treatment and management of hyperlipidemia. In each "game," you may "play" by yourself or in a group. You may also join a discussion group with one of the authors and other students. Primary care practitioners play an easier game, while cardiologists are urged to play at the "master's" level.

CardioVillage
Last visited...1/2008.
Credit hours...Depends on how many screens you visit. Maximum of 240 hours.
Awarded by...University of Virginia.
Cost for Credit...Free.
Instruction Type...Case-Based-Interactive.
Target Audience...CARD, other MDs who practice cardiovascular medicine.
Educational material last updated...2007.
Financial support...Several pharmaceutical companies and medical device companies.

At present, there are four primary learning topics: coronary artery disease, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology and preventive cardiology. Each learning topic includes tutorials, cases, and self-assessment exercises. In addition, some content is presented in a “course” format which is a grouping of topics intended for a particular target audience; there are special courses for 2nd, 3rd, 4th year Medical Students and Cardiology Fellows. You may earn CME credit for reviewing a case, tutorial, or taking a posttest.

CCMDweb.org (formerly lipidhealth.org)
Last visited...1/2007.
Credit hours...About 12 courses offering a total of 14 hours.
Awarded by....Thomson Professional Postgraduate Services.
Cost...........Free.
Instruction Type...Interactive Case Studies, Newsletters.
Target Audience...FP, IM, CARD.
Educational material last updated...10/06
Financial Support...Pfizer, Reliant, Abbott and Takeda.

This site offers 3 ways to earn CME credits. There are 8 Interactive Case Studies available, each offering 1-2 credits. There is 1 webcast available, offering 2.5 credits. There are 3 newsletters available, offering 1-1.5 credit each, after you answer a set of questions.

CVSpectrum.org (formerly APOLLOlipids.org)
Last visited....1/2008.
Credit hours...About 8 activities offering about 8 hours (not counted).
Awarded by....FCG Institute.
Cost for Credit....Free.
Instruction Type....Slide-Only, Slide-Audio Lectures, Newsletter.
Target Audience....FP, IM, CARD.
Educational material last updated....2007.
Financial Support...Multiple Pharmaceutical Companies.

These presentations deal with various aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia. From the CME section on the home page, choose Newsletters (3 activities offering credit), Interactive Cases (4 activities offering credit) or Webcasts (1 activity offering credit).

Cerebrio
Last visited...9/2006.
Credit hours...5.5.
Awarded by...University of Michigan, University of Rochester.
Cost for Credit...Free.
Instruction Type....Slide-Video.
Target Audiences....CRIT CARE, FP, CARD.
Educational material last updated...2006.
Financial Support...Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

Three activities: ASPIRE (Acid Suppression Pharmacotherapy in the ICU: Re-evaluating the Evidence) (2.5 hours); The High-Risk Cardiovascular Disease Website uses a multifaceted approach to equip physicians with tools to better manage their high-risk and special-population patients, ensuring optimal clinical outcomes and improving the process of cardiovascular patient care (2.0 hours); and Bridging High-Risk Intersects: An Evidence-Based Approach to Managing Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction or Heart Failure (1 hour)

Cleveland Clinic Emerging Therapies in Heart Disease
Last visited...7/2006. 
Credit hours....2 courses, each offering 1.25 credit hours.
Awarded by....Cleveland Clinic.
Cost..........Free.
Instruct. Type...Slide-Video lectures
Target Audiences...CARD.
Educ. material last updated....2006
Financial Support...Various pharmaceutical and device companies.

Two lectures at present: Atrial Fibrillation - New Technologies, New Cures; and New Strategies and Treatments for Heart Failure. Three additional lectures are promised.

Cleveland Clinic Fluid Management in the Heart Failure Patient
Last visited...7/2006. 
Credit hours....One activity awarding 2 hours.
Awarded by....Cleveland Clinic.
Cost..........Free.
Instruct. Type...Slide-Video lectures.
Target Audiences...CARD, IM.
Educ. material last updated....2006
Financial Support...Otsuka.

Derived from a live symposium held in 2005, this webcast examines fluid accumulation in the thoracic cavity in detail. Lecture tiles include: Congestion is the Main Cause for Heart Failure Hospitalizations; Emerging Need for Aquaretic, Naturetic and Diuretic Therapies for the Treatment of Heart Failure; The Potential Dark Side of Chronic Diuretic Therapy; Cardio Renal Syndrome; Physiology and Pathophysiology of AVP; and The Potential Role of Aquaretic Therapy for Treatment of Heart Failure.

Cleveland Clinic Pacemaker & ICD Leads: Strategies for Long Term Risk Management
Last visited...7/2006. 
Credit hours....One activity awarding 2 hours.
Awarded by....Cleveland Clinic.
Cost..........Free.
Instruct. Type...Slide-Audio lectures.
Target Audiences...CARD, SURG.
Educ. material last updated....2006
Financial Support...Guidant

Derived from a live symposium held in 2005, this activity is directed to medical professionals who want to minimize the risk of implantable device therapy. Lecture tiles include: Implant Choices Techniques, Leads, & Timing; Lead Performance Construction, Electrical & Extraction; Infection Prophylaxis, Recognition, Treatment; Extraction
Mechanical-LASER-EDS, Risks, Timing; and Vascular Complications Acute & Chronic, Thrombosis, Occlusion, Stenting.

CRPHealth.com
Last visited...11/2007.
Credit hours...One hour per course (49 hours).
Awarded by....University of Wisconsin.
Cost...........Free.
Instruction Type...Slide-Audio.
Target Audiences....IM, FP, CARD, ENDO.
Educational material last updated....2006.
Financial Support...AstraZeneca, Novartis, Glaxo SmithKline and Dade Behring.

After registration and login, click on Online Presentations to find a list of 49 discussions of CRP (C-Reactive Protein) in diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism
Last visited...7/2006.
Credit hours...1.5 hours per course; total of 6 hours.
Awarded by....University of Nebraska.
Cost for Credit.....Free. 
Instruction Type....Case-Based Interactive.
Target Audiences....ER, CARD, PULM.
Educational material last updated...2005.
Financial Support...Aventis.

Four cases: A 73 year old woman with postoperative chest pain; A 51 year old man with worsening chest pain; A 65 year old woman with postoperative pleurisy and dyspnea; and A 63 year old woman with lower limb swelling and pain.

Diabetes And Vascular Education
Last visited...7/2006.
Credit hours...One course; 1.25 hours.
Awarded by....Primary Care Network.
Cost for Credit....Free.
Instruction Type...Slide=Audio Lecture.
Target Audiences.....FP, IM, ENDO, CARD.
Educ. material last updated...2006.
Financial support...Cordis Corporation.

A single presentation: Drug-Eluting Stents: Efficacy and Special Considerations in Diabetic Patients. This program covers coronary risk and risk factor modification in diabetic patients, differences in coronary atherosclerotic plaque in diabetes, and efficacy of bare-metal and drug-eluting stents in diabetic patients.

Heart Rhythm Society (formerly North American Societ of Pacing and Electrophysiology) Grand Rounds and Webcasts  
Last visited...6/2006.
Credit hours...10 lectures each offering 1 hour of credit; also Scientific Sessions (3 sessions offering 2.5 hours each). Total 17.5 hours.
Awarded by....Heart Rhythm Society.
Cost for Credit......Free.
Instruction Type...Slide-Video-Lectures and Case-Based-Interactive.
Target Audiences...CARD.
Educational material last updated...2006.
Financial Support...Various cardiac device makers.

Use Internet Explorer to view these programs. You will find lectures and cases dealing with Atrial Fibrillation (4), Ablation (1), Basic Science (3), Heart Failure (1) and Sudden Cardiac Death (1). Also three "Scientific Sessions." NB: There are many other apparently excellent educational activities at this site, but it is not clear which offer CME credit (if i find out, I will change this posting).

Medscape Cardiology 
Last visited...11/2006.
Credit hours...Varies from time to time.
Awarded by....Medscape and many other sponsoring organizations.
Cost...........Free.
Instruction Type...Text-and-Graphics, Text-Only, Slide-Audio Lecture, Slide-Video Lecture and Case-Based-Interactive.
Target Audiences....CARD.
Educational material last updated...New activities posted frequently.
Financial Support...Many academic, specialty, and commercial sources as well as WebMD.
Expiration of CME Credit...Credit for most activities expires one year after posting.

CME activities of special interest to cardiologists. Medscape contains a variety of educational formats:
CONFERENCE COVERAGE - Reports of  advances presented at major medical conferences; typically includes several tracks with news stories, expert interviews, and in-depth topic overviews.
CLINICAL UPDATE - Comprehensive original review article on scientific advances in a clinical topic.
FAST TRACK CLINICAL UPDATE – Narrowly focused original review article on scientific advances in a clinical topic.
CME-LIVE - Real-time online events with streaming video, synchronized visuals, and interactive questions and answers; archived for 1 year.
NEWS-CME - Daily reports of major current medical research articles; 0.25 credits each
JOURNAL CME - Articles selected from a wide selection of conference reports and peer-reviewed journals, including MedscapeGeneralMedicine (MedGenMed).
SPECIAL REPORT CME – Topic-based monthly email newsletter distributed to Medscape’s professional member database by specialty.
INTERACTIVE PATIENT CASES – Original CME activity presented to the physician in an interactive, clinical case-based format. 
CME CIRCLE – Multimedia content certified by other accredited professional education providers, typically from live symposia or monographs, and then posted on Medscape and archived for one year.

Studies in Nuclear Cardiology
Last visited...11/2006.
Credit hours...1.0 per issue (0.5 hours per case). Total of 7.0 hours available.
Awarded by.....University of Toledo and St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.
Cost ................$35
Instruction Type...Text-and-Graphics.
Target Audience...NUC MED, CARD.
Educational material last updated...2005
Financial Support...Amersham Health, Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging.

There are 14 activities in nuclear cardiology each offering 0.5 credit-hours. You cannot view the titles or content of the courses until you register and pay the $35 fee.

Texas Heart Institute Office of Continuing Medical Education
Last Visited: 7/06.
Credit hours: Courses offer 0.5 to 4.5 hours each (40 activities offering a total of 55 credits).
Awarded by: Texas Heart Institute.
Cost: Free.
Instruction Type: Slide-Video Lecture.
Target Audiences: CARD, FP, IM, SURG.
Educational material last updated: 2006.
Financial Support: Texas Heart Institute and multiple pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies.

A very nicely organized site. Use Internet Explorer. You register for credit and receive a user number AFTER viewing your first course. Types of activities include: Archived Symposia (typically 2 to 4.5 hours each); Cardiology Grand Rounds (typically 1.0 hour); Peripheral Vascular Disease (typically 0.5 hours each); Ethics; Echocardiography; and Electrophysiology (all typically 1 hour).

theheart.org Satellite Programs (CME)
Last visited...3/2007.
Credit hours...About 100 programs, 1.0 hour each.
Awarded by....University of Cincinnati School of Medicine.
Cost...........Free.
Instruction Type...Slide-Only or Slide-Video Lectures.
Target Audience...CARD.
Educ. material last updated....2007.
Financial Support...Various pharmaceutical companies.

About 100 Slide-Only or Slide-Video Lectures on various cardiology topics. There are many other educational activities (news, conferences, discussions) at theheart.org, but only Satellite Programs (CME) offers CME credit.

 

Return to the Annotated List of Online CME (All Specialties)

This list was compiled by Bernard Sklar, MD, MS