Syllabus · Current · V5 (2025) · Cardiovascular System
D2 · Electrical Properties of the Heart
D2.ii · Electrical–Mechanical Cardiac Cycle
Correlate the mechanical events of the cardiac cycle with the electrical and ionic events described above.
Written examination
SAQ history
Cardiac Cycle — ECG Correlation
2 exam appearances
Relate the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) to the events of the cardiac cycle (60% of marks). Briefly describe the mechanism of the effects of digoxin, and the mechanism of the effects of amiodarone, on the ECG (40% of marks)
66%
Relate the surface ECG to the events of the cardiac cycle (60% of mark). Describe how the PR, 20QRS and QT intervals may be prolonged by the action of drugs.
50%
Cardiac Cycle — Ventricular AP
1 exam appearance
Describe the ionic events associated with a ventricular cardiac action potential (80% of marks). Outline how the action potential relates with the mechanical events of the cardiac cycle (20 % marks).
27%
Cardiac Cycle — Ventricular Diastole
3 exam appearances
(a) Define ventricular diastole, including its usual duration (15% of marks). (b) Describe the cardiovascular events that occur during this period (85% of marks). (ionic and cellular events not required).
38%
Oral examination
VIVA history
-
2024A · Day 2 · VIVA 2
This VIVA will examine cardiovascular physiology and monitoring. Relate the parts of the cardiac cycle and ECG to the CVP waveform below? (Image removed from report.)
-
2017B · Day 1 · VIVA 1
This viva will explore your understanding of the left ventricular pressure volume relationship. Describe the cardiac cycle (ABCD). (Image removed from report.)
Sources: objective text from the relevant CICM syllabus; historical SAQ and VIVA wording from CICM examiner reports.