Contents:

1. Blood characteristics
   1. Blood groups and specific antigens
   2. Cellular elements
   3. Clotting cascade
   4. Pathophysiology of clotting
   5. Drugs that affect clotting and platelet function
      
      
2. Hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications of cardiac surgery
   1. Diagnosis
   2. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management
   3. Heparin, Protamine
   4. Cardiac and vascular prostheses
      
      
3. Component therapy
   1. Packed red blood cells
   2. Fresh frozen plasma
   3. Platelets
   4. Cryoprecipitate
   5. Specific clotting factors
      
      
4. Blood conservation
   1. Indications for transfusion
   2. Autotransfusion
   3. Cell-plasma salvage
   4. Hemoconcentration
   5. Pharmacologic manipulation

Clinical Skills:

During the course of the program, the resident:

1. Evaluates patients requiring component therapy and develops management strategies to correct abnormalities of the coagulation system;
   
   
2. Uses appropriate tests to ensure the safety of blood and blood components;
   
   
3. Uses appropriate blood conservation techniques.