Disorders of the Circulatory System

Problems/Case Studies

 "Sometimes Less is Better: The Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism". Angela Wisniewski, University at Buffalo, Thuy Nguyen, University of Southern California, and David Newberger, University at Buffalo. State University of New York at Buffalo’s National Center for Case Study Teaching.
Ed Cramer is a 47-year-old mechanical engineer who is being treated for venous thromboembolism. He was 45 when he first developed a blood clot, in the lower part of his left leg, and had to be hospitalized for five days. A year later he developed a second blood clot, which almost killed him. This case study explores the physiology and treatment of venous thromboembolism, a condition that kills 60,000 people each year in the United States.
This case is appropriate for graduate-level courses in medicine and pharmacy.

"Sickle Cell Anemia". Debra Stamper, King's College. State University of New York at Buffalo’s National Center for Case Study Teaching.
In this case study on sickle cell anemia, students are introduced to some of the key investigators responsible for determining the molecular basis of the disease and learn about the functioning of erythrocytes as well as the notion that changes in the environment can influence the functioning of cells.
The case was designed for use in the first semester of an introductory majors biology course.

"Water, Water, Everywhere…".  DE Allen.  Thinking Toward Solutions:  Problem-Based Learning Activities for General Biology.  Allen, D. E. and Duch, B. J. (1998).   New York:  Saunders College Publishing, p102-106.

        Stage 1:  Sailing around the world, four people abandon ship after a storm.  Running out of water quickly, they consider drinking the seawater. 
Students investigate if drinking seawater is feasible and other methods to obtain water that may be used.

        Stage 2:  After the crew is rescued, one member shows peculiar test results.  Students are presented with test result data and the doctor orders desmopressin acetate to treat him prior to his cranial MRI.  Students investigate fluid replacement therapy and the gender-specific formulas used to calculate dehydration. 


CNN Video Clips

Topic:  "Silent Strokes":  Biology 5th Ed. CNN Ed. 2001. (2:12)
Researchers estimate that each year 11 million Americans suffer undiagnosed strokes.  These “silent” strokes don’t produce any immediately obvious impairment, but they can have cumulative effects on mental function.  Physicians diagnose silent strokes only after the fact, by examining the results of a brain scan.  Risk factors for strokes include a family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking.