The VAS e-learning Vascular Ultrasound Course is intended for medical doctors with an interest in vascular ultrasound. The course consists of video tutorials that cover ultrasound anatomy of vascular beds from the neck to the calves, the techniques of vascular ultrasound examination and ultrasound imaging of various vascular pathologies. The use of vascular ultrasound in clinical decision-making is also discussed.
The VAS e-learning Vascular Ultrasound Course is best suited for trainees who already have a basic knowledge of vascular ultrasound, although beginners can also apply and complete the course.
The video-tutorials are intended to be supplemented by individual study from standard vascular ultrasound textbooks or e-textbooks. Two 30-minute live video-conference discussions with teachers will be provided for participants prior to the final exam. For completion of the course, an on-line multiple-choice exam on the e-Learning Platform must be passed.
Students who have successfully completed the theoretical VAS e-learning Vascular Ultrasound Course will become eligible to apply for practical vascular ultrasound training in VAS- accredited training centres.
Language
English
Duration
video-tutorials available to students for 6 months (January-June, July-December), Exams in July and in December
Number of hours
40 hours of study (video-tutorials, individual study, video-consultations with teachers), 40 EACCME credits
Teaching Panel
VAS International Academy-European Teaching Panel (European University Professors), VAS Vascular Ultrasound Working Group:
- Aleš Blinc, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia (Coordinator)
- Boris Brkljačić, University Hospital Dubrava, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Croatia
- Peter Marschang, Central Hospital of Bolzano, Italy
- Majda Vrkić Kirhmajer, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia
- Andrea Willfort Ehringer, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
- Christian Schaefer, University Clinic Bonn, Germany
- Zsolt Pecsvarady, Flor Ferenc Hospital. Kistarcsa, Hungary
Lessons
- Basic Principles in Ultrasound (B. Brkljacic, Croatia)
- Abdominal arteries, part 1 and 2 (C. Thalhammer, Switzerland)
- Surveillance of small abdominal aortic aneurysms and post EVAR follow-up by ultrasound (A. Blinc, Slovenia)
- Ultrasound of peripheral veins, part 1 and 2 (R. Matthies, Austria)
- Ultrasound of peripheral arteries for clinical decision-making (A. Blinc, Slovenia)
- Color-coded doppler ultrasound of the extracranial supra-aortic arteries, part 1 and 2 (P. Marschang and G. Roscia, Italy)
Vascular Ultrasound textbooks
at least one of the following is recommended as supplementary learning material:
- EFSUMB (European Fedration of Societies for Ultrasound in Medciine and Biology) Course Book - 2nd Edition, Dietrich CF, Ed. Available on-line free of charge: https://efsumb.org/efsumb-course-book/ (Recommended chapters: 32 Ultrasound Knobology, 33 Ultrasound of Peripheral Arteries, 34 Aorta, visceral arteries and inferior vena cava, 35 Ultrasound of Peripheral Veins, 20 Ultrasound Evaluation of Cerebrovascular Steno-occlusive Disease)
- Vascular Ultrasound – How, Why and When, 4th Edition. Thrush A, Hartshorne T, Deane CR, eds. Elsevier, 2021, 350 pages.
- Introduction to Vascular Ultrasonography, 7th Edition. Pellerito JS, Polak JF, eds. Ellsevier, 2020, 882 pages
Plus (free of charge for participants of the VAS Vascular Ultrasound Course)
European Angiology Days- International Vascular Medicine yearly Academic Conference (web - live) europeanangiologydays.net
Coordinating Committee
VAS Education Committee
Exam
Multiple-choice exam on the e-Learning Platform – 1 hour exam in June and in December, 50 multiple-choice questions, passing score ≥ 65% correct answers.
Applications
Applications are always open. Please specify the selected Course (January or July). A Graduation Certificate and a CV are requested.
Two yearly starting dates
15the January and 15th July. First edition of the Course, July 2024.
Course Fee
300 EUR
Applicants from low-income countries may apply for a discount.
Pay Pal or VAS account: IBAN IT 74 V034 4033 0300 0000 0161 200 BIC/SWIFT BDBD IT 22 A copy of the bank transfer has to be sent to: vas@unimi.it before the start of the Course.