Consensus Statement from the AIMVT Cardiology Committee

 

Regarding: Allowable variation on AIMVT candidate’s case logs

 

The Cardiology Committee of the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians (AIMVT) recommends the following guidelines for completing the cardiology case logs.

 

  1. The candidate will provide a log of no less than fifty cases and no more than 75 cases, seen in their practice during the 12 month period starting on October 1st of the preceding year and ending September 31st of the year of application for the AIMVT certification exam. (see AIMVT bylaws)
  2. The case log should contain a majority of case material that emphasizes cardiac disorders. (see consensus statement on respiratory conditions from the cardiology committee –updated March 2008) Emphasis should be on quality rather than quantity, although a sufficient caseload must be available to provide experience with all common types of cardiovascular disease in as many different species as possible. It is recognized that the veterinary technician has little control over the practice case load, yet the applicant is encouraged to demonstrate as much diversity as reasonably possible. Each of the categories listed below should not represent more than 20% (10 cases) of the case log
  3. No requirements for cardiac catheter procedures or pacemaker implantation stands. Catheterization cases and pacemaker implantation are encouraged whenever possible to demonstrate experience in all type of cardiovascular disease.
  4. Examples of common cases in cardiology include but are not limited to:
    1. Dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs
    2. Cardiomyopathies in cats
    3. Chronic valvular degeneration in dogs
    4. Congestive heart failure from any cause
    5. Cardiac arrhythmias
    6. Congenital heart conditions (PDA, VSD, ASD, outflow tract stenoses, AV-valve dysplasias, etc.)
    7. Pulmonic hypertension from any cause
    8. Feline Aortic thromboembolism
    9. Pleural, pericardial effusions, and cardiac neoplasia
    10. Bacterial Endocarditis
    11. Heartworm disease
    12. Systemic hypertension
    13. Any cardiac condition in horses or food and fiber animals

            These examples are not requirements and each need not to be represented.

  1. Recheck visits for an existing condition that has already been added to the case log may not be used. Examinations of a preexisting patient for new cardiovascular disease or significant complications of previously diagnosed conditions (such as the emergence of arrhythmias) may be used providing the new finding changes the therapeutic plan.