The PhD program in Advances in Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Pathophysiology and Imaging offers advanced scientific training in studying pathological mechanisms affecting the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. The program combines basic research, clinical practice, and cutting-edge diagnostic technologies.Through a multidisciplinary and international approach, the PhD course prepares highly specialized researchers capable of developing new strategies for the early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cardio-thoracic and vascular diseases. The program also extends to the fields of oncology and gastroenterology, thanks to the study and application of advanced nuclear imaging techniques such as SPECT and PET. The curriculum covers many topics, providing a strong theoretical foundation and a focus on applied research.
Key subjects include:
♦ Cardiovascular anatomy and physiology
♦ Cardiac, vascular, and thoracic pathologies
♦ Non-invasive and invasive diagnostic techniques
♦ Fundamentals of medical therapy and advanced surgical methods
♦ Autonomic neuroeffector mechanisms in cardiovascular regulation
♦ Identification, localization, and biological role of protease inhibitors in the nervous and cardiovascular systems
♦ Dopaminergic and cholinergic receptor systems in cardiovascular function
♦ Plasma and tissue protease inhibitors in cardiovascular disease
♦ Assessment of myocardial viability and transmural necrosis after myocardial infarction using
multiparametric techniques
♦ Evaluation of stunned and hibernating myocardium
♦ Pulmonary and extrapulmonary mycobacterial infections
♦ Neurotrophin receptors in pulmonary arteries and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in sarcoidosis
♦ Aerosolized alpha-interferon therapy in pulmonary tuberculosis and chronic bronchitis;etiopathogenesis of pulmonary and extrapulmonary histiocytosis
♦ Radiopharmaceuticals
♦ New imaging technologies
♦ Pathophysiology of cardiac and gastrointestinal systems
♦ Mechanisms of neoplastic growth
Updates in pathophysiology and imaging are also provided through seminars given by Italian and foreign experts in order to achieve a high level of overall scientific training of the doctoral students. In addition, doctoral students are continuously supported and encouraged to participate in scientific events, such as national and international congresses, in order to widen the scientific exchange in their field of interest.