The Master’s Programme in Cardiovascular Pathology represents an opportunity for professional development in the field of cardiovascular pathological anatomy. It is aimed at acquiring up-to-date diagnostic and laboratory knowledge in the area of heart and vascular diseases, both congenital and acquired. Participants will take part in practical macroscopic and histological activities focused on anatomo-clinical correlation, gaining the skills needed to address diagnostic challenges in the cardiovascular field.
Through a multidisciplinary approach, the programme explores advanced diagnostic and laboratory techniques, providing training in the main methodologies of cardiovascular pathology, acquired and congenital heart diseases, cardiovascular pathophysiology, and experimental cardiology (autopsy techniques; macroscopic examination of cardiac specimens; histological and immunohistochemical techniques, light microscopy, histomorphometry; study of the conduction system; electron microscopy; molecular diagnostics), with particular emphasis on anatomo-clinical correlations.
The Master’s Programme is intended for Pathologists, Forensic Medicine specialists, Cardiologists, and Cardiac Surgeons. Lectures are delivered in Italian and English.
Teaching activities will be delivered primarily in virtual mode, while practical activities will take place exclusively in person. The programme, in addition to seminars and lectures, is mainly based on the method of clinico-pathological conferences, promoting an integrated and practice-oriented learning approach.
Participation is required in:
- Practical sessions (Monday 11:00–13:00) – in person only
- Clinico-pathological and forensic pathology conferences (Monday 13:30–14:30) – dual mode
- Lectio Magistralis (Monday 14:30–15:00) – dual mode
- Macroscopic and biopsy microscope exercises (Monday 15:30–17:00) – in person only
- Training courses / Symposia / Seminars organized by the Department (1–2 full days) – in person only
Topics covered include:
- Sudden death
- Heart transplantation
- Congenital heart diseases
- Cardiac surgical pathology
- Endomyocardial biopsy
- Post-operative and interventional pathology
- Ultrastructural pathology
- Clinico-pathological correlations with advanced cardiovascular imaging (CT, CMR, 3D echocardiography)
- Cardiovascular forensic pathology
- Molecular pathology of infectious and hereditary cardiovascular diseases
A minimum attendance of 70% is required.
The primary target audience consists of graduates holding Specialist Degrees (D.M. 509/99) and Master’s Degrees (D.M. 270/04) in Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, and Biology.
Preferred requirements include a Specialization Diploma in Pathological Anatomy, Forensic Medicine, Cardiology, or Cardiac Surgery.
Participants will deepen their knowledge of cardiovascular pathological anatomy, acquiring professional expertise in the main techniques (autopsy, macroscopic examination, histology, immunohistochemistry, light microscopy, histomorphometry, electron microscopy, molecular diagnostics) and in the methodology of anatomo-clinical correlations.
Graduates will develop independent judgment in the field of cardiovascular pathology, along with the ability to collect and interpret relevant data for autonomous decision-making, promote original research, and apply critical analysis. They will also be able to communicate clearly knowledge, ideas, problems, and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences, as well as to society at large.
Participants will acquire the learning skills necessary to pursue further studies with a high degree of autonomy and to foster technological and cultural advancement in academic and professional contexts, based on the knowledge gained in cardiovascular pathology.
PATHOMORPHOLOGY
- Cardiovascular Pathological Anatomy – Pathomorphology: aimed at acquiring professional training with autonomy in applying the main techniques used in cardiovascular pathology (autopsy and sampling protocols, macroscopic examination protocols of cardiovascular specimens from autopsy/surgical/interventional settings, histological and immunohistochemical techniques, principles of histomorphometry, and serial study of the conduction system).
- Cardiovascular Pathological Anatomy – Sudden Death: in-depth study of the knowledge and epidemiology of sudden death for postmortem diagnostic assessment.
- Cardiovascular Pathological Anatomy – Ultrastructural Pathology: professional training with autonomy in the application and interpretation of scanning and transmission electron microscopy and confocal microscopy techniques.
- Cardiovascular Pathological Anatomy – Molecular Biology: analysis of the diagnostic role of molecular genetics in hereditary cardiovascular diseases (familial cardiomyopathies, channelopathies) associated with sudden death in young individuals and athletes.
- Forensic Medicine: lectures and conferences on medico-legal cases in cardiovascular pathology, addressing key issues encountered in forensic practice.
CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
- Cardiovascular Pathological Anatomy – Clinical Pathology: review and discussion of macroscopic, histological, ultrastructural, and molecular findings from autopsy or biopsy cases of congenital or acquired cardiovascular diseases, with clinical correlation.
- Cardiovascular Diseases – Acquired: lectures and seminars on the electrophysiological basis of major acquired heart diseases, often associated with sudden cardiovascular death.
- Cardiovascular Diseases – Hereditary: lectures on structural and non-structural cardiomyopathies of hereditary origin.
- Cardiovascular Diseases – Cardiac Imaging: lectures on major congenital and acquired heart diseases, often responsible for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- Cardiovascular Diseases – Inflammatory: lectures on inflammatory heart diseases, frequently associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- Sports Cardiology: lectures on major heart diseases causing sudden death in athletes, identifiable through first- and second-level screening for competitive sports.
- Secondary Cardiomyopathies: lectures on major secondary cardiomyopathies contributing to cardiovascular mortality.
SURGICAL PATHOLOGY
- Cardiovascular Pathological Anatomy – Surgical Pathology: review and discussion of macroscopic and histological findings in congenital or acquired heart diseases requiring surgical or interventional procedures.
- Cardiovascular Pathological Anatomy – Sudden Infant Death: acquisition of knowledge and epidemiology of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) for postmortem diagnostic assessment.
- Adult Cardiac Surgery: lectures on currently used biological (autografts, allografts, xenografts) and mechanical prosthetic substitutes in cardiac surgery.
- Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: lectures on the most advanced surgical techniques for pediatric cardiovascular diseases.
- Pediatric Cardiology: lectures on the clinical morphology (2D and 3D echocardiography, angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging) of cardiovascular diseases in pediatric patients.
The Master’s Faculty annually organizes Continuing Education Courses on Congenital Heart Diseases/Pediatric Cardiology and a course in Anatomy for the Arrhythmologist, both aimed at providing anatomical demonstrations to understand the structural foundations of modern imaging techniques and interventional cardiology.
The general ranking of merit for the academic year 2026/27 will be published on the Italian page of this Master according to the timing provided in the Call.
Information
FAQ
Zoom will be used to access teaching activities delivered in virtual mode; however, it will not be used in any way for practical sessions, which will take place exclusively in person.
Yes, a traineeship is required at the Complex Unit of Cardiovascular Pathology of the Padua University Hospital, with a maximum duration of one month, to be agreed upon with the Programme Director. This opportunity is particularly intended for participants who are unable to attend the practical sessions scheduled during the course.
Unfortunately, no scholarships will be provided, nor any DAC List reserved spots.
A minimum attendance of 70% of the scheduled lessons is required. The course calendar is provided at the beginning of the programme.
The Master’s Programme in Cardiovascular Pathology is based at the Institute of Pathological Anatomy, Via Aristide Gabelli 61, Padua. Teaching activities will take place mainly in the classrooms of the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health.