Academic Catalogs

Cardiovascular Technology

Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) is an adult cardiac sonography allied health profession, concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiac disease. The cardiac sonographer performs exams at the request of a physician, to obtain information about the patient’s heart anatomy and function, in order for the physician to make a diagnosis.  The cardiac sonographer performs these studies and electrocardiographic (ECG) procedures.  The information obtained from these clinical studies is used by the cardiologist to evaluate patients for cardiovascular disease, and to design comprehensive treatment plans. Cardiac sonographers perform the studies, operate various electronic instruments, prepare preliminary reports, and calculate clinical information for interpretation by the cardiologist.  The CVT Program provides the necessary classroom and clinical courses to allow graduates to work as cardiac sonographers and/or ECG specialists.

Specifically, the program objectives include:

  • Graduate qualified ECG specialist
  • Graduate qualified Adult Cardiac Sonographer who obtain RDCS or CCI registry upon graduation
  • Provide an adequate number of graduates to meet community needs

After completing the first year of program enrollment, the student will receive the Certificate of Achievement as an ECG Specialist (Technician).  With this certificate, students may obtain employment as an ECG Technician (Specialist).

Upon completion of this two-year program, students will be awarded an Associate in Science degree in Cardiovascular Technology (CVT).  The Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) program is fully accredited through the Joint Review Committee on Education of Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT) through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

Program Admission

ALH A010 Health Occupations course – application and orientation.

The student must complete the General Education requirements for an Associate in Science Degree and the program prerequisites prior to acceptance to the program.

Department Contact Information

Kristy  Norfolk, CVT Program Director, Clinical Coordinator, and Instructor

knorfolk@occ.cccd.edu 

Cardiovascular Technology Department

Credit Courses

CVT A1002 Units (36 lecture hours)  
Introduction to Electrocardiography  
Prerequisite(s): BIOL A221; or BIOL A220 and BIOL A225.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Electrocardiographic interpretation and testing procedures for the ECG technician. Includes anatomy and electrophysiology of the cardiac conduction system; basic cardiac arrhythmias including sinus, atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias and heartblocks.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing CVT A100

CVT A1303 Units (54 lecture hours)  
Introduction to Invasive Cardiology  
Prerequisite(s): CVT A160.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Introduction to the concepts of cardiac catheterization primarily for diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Includes hemodynamics, cardiovascular radiologic safety, aseptic and sterile field maintenance, pressure monitoring equipment, catheters, and contrast used for catheterization. Catheterization techniques, drug pharmacology used in the procedures and complications of cardiac catheterization.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing CVT A130

CVT A1502 Units (36 lecture hours)  
Advanced Electrocardiography  
Prerequisite(s): CVT A100.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Advanced procedures in electrocardiographic testing, including stress testing, Holter monitoring, and pacemakers. Advanced arrhythmias including ventricular conduction disturbances effects of drugs, electrolyte imbalances, myocardial infarction, and cardiac pharmacology.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing CVT A150

CVT A1603 Units (54 lecture hours)  
Cardiac Anatomy/Pathophysiology  
Prerequisite(s): ALH A111 or concurrent enrollment; and BIOL A221.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Cardiac anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Includes cardiovascular structures, hemodynamics, cardiac output and blood pressure, coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, valvular diseases, infectious diseases, cardiac tumors and myopathies, and congenital heart disease.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing CVT A160

CVT A1705 Units (18 lecture hours; 288 other hours)  
ECG Clinical Experience  
Prerequisite(s): ALH A115 and CVT A160.
Grading Mode: Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Assigned clinical practice within a health care facility in areas of routine ECG testing, stress testing, monitor technician, Holter monitoring, and pacemaker evaluation. Offered on a pass-no pass basis only.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing CVT A170

CVT A1903 Units (54 lecture hours)  
Introduction to Sonography and Imaging Physics  
Prerequisite(s): CVT A160.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Introduction to ultrasound physics & instrumentation for cardiac ultrasound, visualized on 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional ultrasound imaging.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing CVT A190

CVT A2003 Units (54 lecture hours)  
Introduction to Echocardiography  
Prerequisite(s): CVT A160.
Co-requisite(s): CVT A205.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Theory, equipment, and procedures for echocardiography to include M-mode, 2D, and Doppler. Recognition of specific echocardiographic patterns and abnormalities. Relates anatomical cardiac images to echocardiographic images.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing CVT A200

CVT A2051 Unit (54 lab hours)  
Introduction to Echocardiography Lab  
Co-requisite(s): CVT A200.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Skill development in using echocardiographic imaging equipment, machine adjustments, and obtaining correct views on M-mode, 2-dimensional, Doppler and color flow echocardiograms under direct supervision. Includes exercises in recognition of cardiac anatomy and pathology found in diagnostic ultrasound imaging evaluation for cardiac function.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing CVT A205

CVT A2105.5 Units (18 lecture hours; 256 lab hours)  
Echocardiography Clinical Lab 1  
Prerequisite(s): CVT A160.
Co-requisite(s): CVT A200 and CVT A205.
Grading Mode: Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Experience in echocardiography in a clinical facility to include conferences or lectures by physicians, sonographers, and guest lecturers to relate patient clinical presentations to diagnostic findings. Offered on a pass-no pass basis only.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing CVT A210

CVT A2203.5 Units (54 lecture hours; 36 lab hours)  
Ultrasound Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation  
Prerequisite(s): CVT A150.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
The study of physical principles and instrumentation of diagnostic medical sonography, echocardiography, vascular ultrasound and peripheral vascular ultrasound. It includes sonographic equipment design, instrumentation and sonographic imaging application.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing CVT A220

CVT A2241 Unit (64 lab hours)  
Echocardiography Clinical Lab 2  
Grading Mode: Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Intermediate clinical experience. Continue in cardiac and vascular sonographic scanning in assigned clinical facility and perform related patient care. Begin to determine normal and abnormal sonographic findings. Offered on a pass or no-pass basis only.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing CVT A224

CVT A2503 Units (54 lecture hours)  
Advanced Echocardiography  
Prerequisite(s): CVT A200 and CVT A205.
Co-requisite(s): CVT A255.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Advanced theory, equipment, and procedures in echocardiography, including Doppler, color flow Doppler in adults and pediatric. Further development of techniques and evaluation of disease states using exercise stress, TEE, pharmacological stress, and contrast echocardiographic studies.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing CVT A250

CVT A2551 Unit (54 lab hours)  
Advanced Echocardiography Lab  
Prerequisite(s): CVT A200 and CVT A205.
Co-requisite(s): CVT A250.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Skill development in advanced echocardiographic techniques under direct supervision. Includes spectral Doppler, color flow Doppler, pediatric, stress/pharmacological stress, TEE, and further evaluation of adult echocardiography. Computer lab modules for advanced echocardiographic techniques and Registry Exam Review.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing CVT A255

CVT A2602.5 Units (36 lecture hours; 27 lab hours)  
Cerebrovascular and Peripheral Ultrasound  
Prerequisite(s): CVT A200.
Co-requisite(s): CVT A250 and CVT A255.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Diagnosis and scanning techniques in the evaluation of cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular disease by ultrasound and Doppler testing. Includes normal anatomy and physiology of the cerebrovasculature, ultrasound instrumentation, and examination techniques relating to pathologies. Imaging demonstrations and direct student scanning.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing CVT A260

CVT A2658 Units (18 lecture hours; 384 lab hours)  
Echocardiography Clinical Lab 3  
Prerequisite(s): CVT A210 and CVT A224.
Co-requisite(s): CVT A250 and CVT A255.
Grading Mode: Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Clinical experience in echocardiography in an assigned clinical facility practicing a variety of Echocardiograms. The emphasis on scanning using appropriate Doppler interrogation and calculations to recognize between normal and pathology processes relating to actual patient situations. Successful clinical performance evaluation and submission of written patient case study. Offered on a pass-no pass basis only.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing CVT A265