To show the organization of the course that includes this module, follow this link:  Course organization

Learning outcomes

Aim of the course is to describe the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the main alterations of the homeostatic systems, functional consequences on various organs and systems, describe the compensation mechanisms that are activated as a result of these changes and how they may themselves be the pathophysiological mechanisms of disease. The course shall introduce evidences that pathophysiology represents the basis for most of the laboratory test used for the diagnosis of human diseases.

Program

FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE METABOLISM
Liquid compartments of the organism.
Alterations in fluid or electrolyte balance.
Exchanges between compartments.
Mechanisms of changes in extracellular fluids (outlines).
Alterations in sodium homeostasis.
Hypertonia and hypotonia: mechanisms (outline).
Hyposmolarity and hyperosmolarity: causes and manifestations.
Role of renal tubule in sodium reabsorption and excretion.
Sodium reabsorption and excretion mechanisms in different parts of the tubule.
THE ACID-BASE BALANCE
Modulation in acid and bicarbonate excretion.
Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis.
Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis.
Hyperkalemia and hypokalemia.
Acute renal failure.
Chronic renal failure (outlines).
THE SYSTEMIC CIRCULATION.
Regulatory mechanisms of the systemic circulation.
Cardiac function: relationship between contractility, diameters and efficiency of cardiac function. Heart failure: the compensatory mechanisms.
Mechanisms of heart failure progression: activation of sodium and water retention systems. Determinants of arterial pressure.
Volume-dependent hypertension: hyperaldosteronism.
Reno-vascular hypertension (outlines).
ADRENAL SYSTEM
Adrenal shock
Cushing's syndrome and disease (outlines).
Mineralocorticoid hormones excess (hyperaldosteronism).
Adrenal insufficiency.
DIABETES MELLITUS Insulin-dependent diabetes (outlines).
Pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. Insulin-resistance.
BLOOD COAGULATION SYSTEM.
Platelet activation in the alterations of vascular endothelial function.
The mechanisms of thrombosis.
Hemorragic syndromes and syndromes protrombotic syndromes
Thrombotic complication of atherosclerotic lesion.
Hemodynamic consequences of arterial and venous thrombosis
RESPIRATORY FAILURE.
Restrictive and obstructive pulmonary disease.
Mechanisms of lung injury (outlines).
Effects of pulmonary diseases on gas exchange and transport of oxygen to the tissues.
LIVER FAILURE
Jaundice and mechanisms of hyperbilirubinemia (outline).
Hemodynamics in liver cirrhosis.
MALABSORPTION SYNDROMES
Mechanisms of digestion and absorption of lipids, carbohydrates and vitamins. The main mechanisms of malabsorption (outline).
ALTERATIONS OF CALCIUM METABOLISM
Hyperparathyroidism (outline). Hypo- and hypervitaminosis D.

Examination Methods

The examination: oral

Suggested textbooks: Pontieri: Patologia e Fisiopatologia Generale, per i corsi di laurea in professioni sanitarie (Piccin, Padova)


Office hours
On request

The teacher:
tel 045-8074414
e-mail: pietro.minuz@univr.it.