Online CME: Cardiology
Last Updated June 10, 2009.

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
Last visited...12/2008.
Credit hours...I could not see a convenient way to count the number of activities or credit hours.
Awarded by....American College of Cardiology.
Cost for Credit....Free to members.
Instruction Type....Various.
Target Audience...CARD.
Educational material last updated....2008.
Financial support...Some activities have pharmaceutical sponsorship.

CME content is interspersed through the Cardiosource site, and will be marked with the icon. Use the link in the upper right corner of the site to claim your credits (members or subscribers only), and Cardiosource will keep track of your credits and mail you your certificate. CME can be found on the following sections of the site:
* Expert Opinions
* Case Studies
* Clinical Trials
* Clinical Collections

American Heart Association Professional Education Center
Last visited...4/2009.
Reviewed by...Bernard Sklar, MD,
Credit hours...Online courses, webcasts and webinars: 12 activities offering a total of 37 hours.
Podcasts: 7 activities offering 0.75 to 1.5 hours (total of 7 hours). 
Awarded by....American Heart Association.
Cost...........Most are free.
Instruction Type...Slide-Audio, slide-video, podcast.
Target Audience...CARD, FP, IM, NEURO.
Educational material last updated...2008.
Financial support...Multiple Pharmaceutical Companies.

The American Heart Association Professional Education Center offers live and televised sessions as well as distance learning through print and CD. To find the online and podcast material, choose Course Catalog, then Delivery Method, then either Online Courses, Webinars and Webcasts or Podcasts/Audiocasts. All activities are concerned with the prevention and treatment of heart disease, stroke and peripheral arterial disease.

Baylor Cardiovascular Disease
Last visited...1/2009.
Reviewed by...Bernard Sklar, MD.
Credit hours...35 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...2/2009.
Reviewed by...Bernard Sklar, MD.
Credit hours...3 courses offering 3.0 total hours.
Awarded by....Baylor.
Cost for Credit....Free.
Instruction Type....Slide-Video Lecture.
Target Audiences.....FP, IM, CARD.
Educ. material last updated....2008
Financial Support...Merck.

Three courses on various aspects of hypertension.

BioCritique
Last visited...2/2009.
Credit Hours...0.5 per activity (about 170 activities totaling about 85 hours of CME).
Awarded by...Tulane University Center For Continuing Medical Education.
Cost...Free.
Instruction Type...Text, Downloadable Slides, Assessments.
Target Audience...10 specialty areas including cardiovascular medicine, endocrinology, growth, rheumatology, primary care, and nephrology.
Educational material last updated...Daily.
Financial support...Many pharmaceutical and device companies.

BioCritique helps you keep up with advances in biomedical research. Scientists and clinicians in major therapeutic areas select and review recent important articles. Each paper is linked to a collection of related resources including PowerPoint  presentations, interactive assessments, clinical trials and related research literature, as well as drug and patent information. Almost half the content (87 activities) is in cardiovascular medicine.

 

CardioCareLive
Last visited...6/2009.
Reviewed by...Bernard Sklar, MD.
Credit hours..20.
Awarded by....Johns Hopkins University.
Cost...........Free.
Instruction Type...Slide- Video Lectures, Q & A, Live Chat.
Target Audience...CARD, FP, IM.
Educational material last updated...2009.
Financial support...Multiple pharmaceutical and healthcare companies.

This meeting was presented online live on March 3 and 4, 2009, and is now available online for on-demand viewing and CME credit. CardioCareLive brings  " the benefits of a physical medical conference, with live keynote presentations, lectures, peer networking and an exhibit floor, to the convenience of your computer."

Cardiometabolic Health Congress (2008)
Last visited...6/2009.
Credit hours...9 activities, each offering 2 hours (total of 18 hours).
Awarded by...Medical Education Resources.
Cost for Credit...Free.
Instruction Type...Slide-Video Lectures.
Target Audience...CARD, ENDO.
Educational material last updated...2008.
Financial support...Many pharmaceutical companies.
CME Credit Expires...February 15, 2010.

A set of dinner meetings dealing with various issues related to diabetes, heart disease and the metabolic syndrome. Each section has 3 separate but related talks. To receive credit for a section, view the lectures, complete the post-test and evaluation and submit. Your certificate will be sent by mail in 4-6 weeks.

CardioVillage
Last visited...12/2008.
Credit hours...Depends on how many screens you visit. "More than 250 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...2008.
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...1/2009.
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 4 Interactive Case Studies available, each offering 0.75 to 1.0 credits. There is 1 newsletter available, offering 1-1.5 credit each, after you answer a set of questions.

Cleveland Clinic Contrast Echo Mini Symposium
Last visited...3/2009.
Reviewed by...Bernard Sklar, MD
Credit hours....4 activities, offering 0.5 to 1.25 hours (total of 3.75 hours)
Awarded by....Cleveland Clinic.
Cost..........Free.
Instruct. Type...Slide-Video lectures.
Target Audiences...CARD.
Educ. material last updated....2008.
Financial Support...Acusphere, Bristol Myers Squibb and POINT Biomedical Corporation.
CME Credit Expires...5/10.

These lectures come from the 11th Annual Diastology and New Echo Technologies Summit, recorded February 9, 2008. Titles include: Contrast Basics, Physics and Imaging Modalities; Left Ventricular Opacification: Rest and Stress Echo; LV Perfusion: Rest and Stress Echo; and Myocardial Perfusion, 3-D Echo and New Research Developments/

Cleveland Clinic Controversies, Choices & Collaboration in Treating Heart Disease
Last visited...2/2009.
Reviewed by...Bernard Sklar, MD
Credit hours...0.5.
Awarded by....Cleveland Clinic.
Cost..........Free.
Instruct. Type...Slide-Video Lecture.
Target Audiences...CARD, SURG.
Educ. material last updated....2008.
Financial Support...Boston Scientific, sanofi-aventis U.S. and St. Jude.

The first section of a 3-part series on cardiac disease is Atrial Fibrillation: Choice of Therapy, which consists of Ablation vs. Anti-Arrythmic Agents: What is the best therapy? and Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: When is it the Answer?

Cleveland Clinic Contrast Echo Mini Symposium
Last visited...3/2009.
Reviewed by...Bernard Sklar, MD
Credit hours....4 activities, offering 0.5 to 1.25 hours (total of 3.75 hours)
Awarded by....Cleveland Clinic.
Cost..........Free.
Instruct. Type...Slide-Video lectures.
Target Audiences...CARD.
Educ. material last updated....2008.
Financial Support...Acusphere, Bristol Myers Squibb and POINT Biomedical Corporation.
CME Credit Expires...5/10.

These lectures come from the 11th Annual Diastology and New Echo Technologies Summit, recorded February 9, 2008. Titles include: Contrast Basics, Physics and Imaging Modalities; Left Ventricular Opacification: Rest and Stress Echo; LV Perfusion: Rest and Stress Echo; and Myocardial Perfusion, 3-D Echo and New Research Developments/

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 Lead Extraction 2008: Critical Review and Implementation of HRS Guidelines
Last visited...2/2009.
Reviewed by...Bernard Sklar, MD
Credit hours...8 lectures offering 8 hours.
Awarded by....Cleveland Clinic and Heart Rhythm Society.
Cost..........Free.
Instruct. Type...Slide-Audio lectures or podcasts.
Target Audiences...CARD.
Educ. material last updated....2009.
Financial Support...Multiple medical device companies.

Transvenous lead extraction is the core technique central to the treatment of cardiovascular implantable electronic device complications. Much of the major long-term morbidity associated with these devices is related to the leads, including infectious and vascular complications. These lectures will improve the knowledge of those clinicians who care for patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators and other devices. Lectures include: Definitions and Indications: Procedures, Successes, Complications, Indications & Training and Facilities; Devices and Techniques & Outcomes and Quality Measures; Coding and Reimbursement & Perspectives on Device and Lead Safety Alerts; and Lead Extraction 2008 Panel Discussion.

Clinical Advances in the Acute Coronary Syndrome
Reviewed by...Bernard Sklar, MD.
Last visited...9/2008.
Credit hours...2.0.
Awarded by....Professional Education Services Group.
Cost for Credit....Free.
Instruction Type...Slide-Video Lecture.
Target Audiences...CARD.
Educational material last updated....2008.
Financial support...None Stated.

A single slide-video lecture emphasizing the use of clopidogrel in acute coronary syndrome.

CRPHealth.com
Last visited...8/2008.
Reviewed by... Medical Content Developers, India. Ph: +91-98700 18888.
Credit hours...One hour per course (63 hours).
Awarded by....University of Wisconsin.
Cost...........Free.
Instruction Type...Slide-Audio.
Target Audiences....IM, FP, CARD, ENDO.
Educational material last updated....11/07.
Financial Support...Roche.

After registration and login, click on Online Presentations to find a list of 63 discussions of CRP (C-Reactive Protein) in diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute
Last visited....3/2009.
Reviewed by...Janice Flahiff, Medical Librarian.
Credit hours...2 activities offering 1.0 hours each.
Awarded by...Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute
Cost.............$19.95 each.
Instruction type...Text-and-Graphics.
Target audience...CARD, RAD.
Educational material last updated...2006.
Financial support....Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute.
CME Credit Expires...5/15/09.

Current titles: Duplex/Color Evaluation for Carotid Artery Stenosis Assessment; and Evaluation of Venous Pathology Using Duplex Color/Techniques.

Heart Rhythm Society (formerly North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology) Grand Rounds and Webcasts
Last visited...5/2009.
Reviewed by...Bernard Sklar, MD.
Credit hours... 3 activities offering 14 total hours of CME credit.
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...2008.
Financial Support...Various cardiac device makers.

Use Internet Explorer to view these programs. There are many apparently excellent educational activities at this site, but only 3 are identified as offering CME credit: All Transseptal Catheterizations Should be Guided by ICE (1 credit); Management of Arrhythmias in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease (1 credit); Summer Self Study Program Description (12 credits)

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.

OnsiteInsight
Last visited...2/2009.
Credit hours...2 courses offering a total of about 1.5 hours.
Awarded by....Thomson Professional Postgraduate Services.
Cost...........Free.
Instruction Type....Newsletter (text) with posttest; also podcast.
Target Audience....CARD, HEMA.
Educational material last updated....9/08.
Financial Support...Alexion, CV Therapeutics, Nitromed and Takeda.

There are currently 2 issues of OnsiteInsight. The latest issue covers topics coming out the recent European Society of cardiology, held in September 2008. The previous issue covers the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Sessions in April 2008. Both concern platelets and clotting issues.

OptumHealth Education
Last visited...5/2009.
Reviewed by...Bernard Sklar, MD
Credit hours...About 51 activities offering 1 credit each (51 total credits)
Awarded by....various sponsors.
Cost...........Free.
Instruction Type....Slide-Video Lecture.
Target Audience....PSYCH, CARD, ONCO.
Educational material last updated....2008.
Financial Support...Various pharmaceutical companies.

The slide-video lectures currently available are in the following areas: Cardio (6), Infectious Disease (3), Gastroenterology (1), Neuroscience (32), and Oncology (9).

Studies in Nuclear Cardiology
Reviewed by Janice Flahiff, Medical Librarian.
Last visited...6/2008.
Credit hours...1.0 per issue (0.5 hours per case). 14 activities offering a total of 7.0 hours.
Awarded by.....University of Toledo and St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.
Cost ................$35 for the entire 7 credit course.
Instruction Type...Text-and-Graphics.
Target Audience...NUCLEAR MED, CARD.
Educational material last updated...2007
Financial Support...Not stated.

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: 12/2008.
Credit hours: Courses offer 0.5 to 7.0 hours each (92 activities offering a total of 118 credits).
Awarded by: Texas Heart Institute.
Cost: Free.
Instruction Type: Slide-Video Lecture.
Target Audiences: CARD, FP, IM, SURG.
Educational material last updated: 2008.
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 (range from 1.0 to 7.0 hours each); Cardiology Grand Rounds (typically 1.0 hour); Peripheral Vascular Disease; Ethics; Echocardiography.

theheart.org CME Programs 
Last visited...12/2008.
Reviewed by...Bernard Sklar, MD.
Credit hours...About 210 programs, 1.0 hour each.
Awarded by....education | outcomes | science.
Cost...........Free.
Instruction Type...Slide-Only or Slide-Video Lectures.
Target Audience...CARD.
Educ. material last updated....2008.
Financial Support...Various pharmaceutical companies.

About 210 Slide-Only or Slide-Video Lectures on various cardiology topics. There are many other educational activities (news, conferences, discussions) at theheart.org, but only theheart.org CME Programs offers CME credit.

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

This list was compiled by Bernard Sklar, MD, MS