Teaching code

4S02600

Academic staff

Cristiano Fava, Paola Mattiolo, Stefano Tinazzi Martini Gobbo

Coordinator

Cristiano Fava

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

MED/09 - INTERNAL MEDICINE

Period

PRIMO SEMESTRE dal Oct 6, 2025 al Dec 20, 2025.

Courses Single

Not Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

The overall objective of the course is to provide the cognitive elements necessary for the understanding of
pathophysiological processes underlying the manifestations of major disease conditions including
concepts of physiology, biochemistry and anatomy.
It will be the aim of the course to provide students with the necessary knowledge about the etiological aspects and
pathophysiology of the main pathologies of organs and systems and how these interact at a level
systemic in general characteristic clinical pictures and the relationships that these may have with the interventions
therapeutic.
Specific focus will be given to Clinical Pathology and Oncology topics, that is the understanding of cellular, tissue and organ modifications; the study must integrate morphological and molecular information with clinical information and must consider patient management in the diagnostic process; the student will have to understand the role and use of morphological and bio-molecular anatomopathological information in terms of prevention, diagnosis, prognostic and predictive stratification of drug response and toxicity.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Knowledge of human biochemistry, anatomy, and physiology.

Program

1) Pathophysiology of acute and chronic renal failure (with special focus on the mechanism of action of glyflozines and ACE inhibitors/sartan drugs)
2) Pathophysiology of heart failure (with special focus on the mechanism of action of beta-blockers and inotropic drugs)
3) Pathophysiology of ischemic heart disease (with special focus on the mechanism of action of anti-ischemic and anti-platelet drugs)
4) Pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma (with special focus on the mechanism of action of beta stimulants and anti-muscarinics)
5) Pathophysiology of pulmonary embolism (with special focus on the mechanism of action of anticoagulant drugs)
6) Pathophysiology of diabetes and dyslipidemia (with special focus on the mechanism of action of antidiabetic and hypolipidemic drugs)
7) Pathophysiology of liver cirrhosis (with special focus on the mechanism of action of terlipressin, diuretics, antialdosteronic drugs)
8) Pathophysiology of cardiac arrhythmias (with special focus on the mechanism of action of antiarrhythmic drugs)
9) Pathophysiology of hypertension (with special focus on the mechanism of action of calcium channel blockers and alpha blockers)
10) Pathophysiology of peptic disease (with special focus on the mechanism of action of proton pump inhibitors [PPIs] and prokinetics), inflammatory bowel disease, and pancreatic insufficiency.
11) Pathophysiology of rheumatic diseases/vasculitis (with special focus on the mechanism of action of cortisone and immunomodulating drugs)
12) Pathophysiology of local inflammation (with special focus on the mechanism of action of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] and selective COX-2 inhibitors [COXIBs])

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Lectures. Some lectures will start from a clinical case and develop according to interactive teaching methodologies with small group discussion.

Learning assessment procedures

The two exam modules will be taken separately and the grade will be a weighted average of the two modules. For the clinical physiopathology module there will be an oral exam.

Evaluation criteria

During the oral exam, the student has to demonstrate a good knowledge of the principles of anatomy and physiology on which the various pathophysiological mechanisms of disease are based. The exam aims to evaluate the knowledge acquired in recognizing, explaining, and discussing the pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases. The ability to apply the pathophysiological reasoning which forms the basis for learning the fundamental notions of pharmacology of subsequent courses will also be assessed.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The exam is considered positive when both modules (Anatomopathology and Pathophysiology) are sufficient; otherwise, it will be repeated in full at the next exam. The final vote, expressed out of thirty, will be calculated starting from the average weighted by the number of credits of the partial votes of Anatomopathology and Pathophysiology.

Exam language

Italiano

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