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 Cardiology Fellowship Program
Cardiology plays a very important role in the practice of medicine, with cardiologists performing more than 3,500 diagnostic cardiac catheterizations, 1,000 angioplasties, and 1,000 electrophysiologic studies at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital yearly. In addition, more than 1,000 open-heart procedures are performed annually at West Penn. |
| Year | Specific Assignments | Months |
| Year I | Coronary Care Unit | 3 |
| Cardiology Consult Service | 2 | |
| Cardiac Catheterization | 3 | |
| Echocardiography | 2 | |
| Nuclear Cardiology | 2 | |
| Continuity Outpatient Experience | 1/2 day/week | |
| Vacation/Conference | 1 | |
| Year II | Coronary Care Unit | 2 |
| Cardiac Catheterization | 3 | |
| Electrophysiology | 2 | |
| Echocardiography | 2 | |
| Nuclear Cardiology | 1 | |
| CT Surgery | 1 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Continuity Outpatient Experience | 1/2 day/week | |
| Vacation/Conference | 1 | |
| Year III | Coronary Care Unit | 1 |
| Cardiac Catheterization/PTCA (optional) | 2 | |
| Echocardiography | 3 | |
| Nuclear Cardiology | 1 | |
| Peripheral Vascular Intervention | 1 | |
| Research | 1 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Continuity Outpatient Experience | 1/2 day/week | |
| Vacation/Conference | 1 | |
 Echocardiography During each of the first two years of the Cardiology Fellowship, fellows spend two months in the Echocardiography Laboratory. Considerable time is devoted during the first year to acquiring the hands-on expertise required to obtain, independently, high-quality results of transthoracic echo/Doppler studies. Daily reading sessions are held with faculty attending physicians, and there is a biweekly echo conference. During the second year, fellows participate in pharmacologic stress echo studies and observe transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) studies. The experience is graduated so that increasing responsibility is given as skills develop. Most Cardiology fellows elect to devote additional time to echocardiography during their third year. This rotation is usually focused on in-depth training in TEE. Fellows learn the techniques of esophageal intubation in the GI Endoscopy Laboratory. Afterward, they perform TEE under the supervision of faculty preceptors. Experience in intraoperative TEE is also available. Electrophysiology Laboratory All Cardiology fellows rotate through the Electrophysiology (EP) Laboratory for two months during the second year. There, they participate in diagnostic EP studies, pacemaker follow-up and interventional procedures, including radiofrequency catheter ablation, and permanent pacemaker insertion. Fellows are also directly involved in caring for hospitalized patients on the arrhythmia service. Additional elective time in the EP Laboratory may be scheduled during the third year. Nuclear Cardiology Nuclear cardiology is an important diagnostic tool that receives considerable emphasis during the Cardiology Fellowship Program. The core experience of four months is obtained over the first two years. Under the direction of the full-time faculty in nuclear medicine, fellows Cardiology Fellowship Program gain experience in the performance and interpretation of both exercise and pharmacologic thallium studies, as well as ventricular function analysis. Individuals who want to obtain a nuclear medicine license spend an additional two months of advanced training in the Nuclear Medicine Laboratory during the third fellowship year. Invasive Cardiology Training in the area of invasive cardiology begins during the first year of the Cardiology Fellowship. Three months are spent learning diagnostic catheterization and temporary pacemaker insertion under close supervision of the attending cardiology staff. An additional three months in the catheterization laboratory during the second year complete the core experience. Fellows with facility in laboratory procedures and an interest in pursuing a career in invasive cardiology are offered the opportunity to obtain training in interventional procedures - angioplasty, atherectomy, and stent placement - during a six-month rotation during the final year of the fellowship. Peripheral Vascular Intervention Fellows with an interest in a career in internventional cardiology may elect a two month rotation in the peripheral vascular laboratory during the third year. Conferences The Division of Cardiovascular Diseases at West Penn has an active conference schedule that includes a core curriculum for fellows as well as weekly catheterization and noninvasive conferences. Journal Club and research conferences are held monthly. Fellows participate actively in these conferences and acquire experience in scholarly review and its presentation to an audience. Research Opportunities for research exist throughout fellowship training. Some of the areas of active research include clinical trials involving the use of experimental drugs for the treatment of heart failure, ischemia, hypertension, arrhythmias, and angioplasty restenosis. The Division of Cardiovascular Diseases has an ongoing research interest in the evolving uses of adenosine thallium testing. Many fellows design individual research projects. Both a statistician and an epidemiologist are available to assist with study design and statistical analysis. Opportunities for basic research are available both at the University of Pittsburgh and in the research facility operated by The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation. The Cardiology Fellowship program at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital provides a thorough experience in all aspects of clinical cardiology. At the same time, because of the interests of the staff and the affiliation with the University of Pittsburgh, there is the opportunity to follow a more academic direction. Application InformationThe cardiology fellowship program only accepts applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Once the application is completed our staff reviews the application and applies the specific criteria that we use for granting interviews. Personal interviews are by invitation only and are required for acceptance to our program. Deadline for applying to our fellowship program is December 31, 2008. Applications are now being accepted for the 2010-2011 academic year. Completed Application Includes:
Interviews:If you have any other questions regarding our program, the application process, or the status of your application, please contact Rose Santonastaso (412) 578-6902 or E-mail her at: rsantona@wpahs.org
Recommended Places to Stay:The Western Pennsylvania Hospital has an agreement with the Shadyside Inn which is less than 1 mile from the Hospital. Please be sure to mention The Western Pennsylvania Hospital (use code # 6054SF-1) when booking your room. The other recommended Hotel is the Marriott Courtyard with a special interviewing rate. Both hotels provide shuttle service to and from The Western Pennsylvania Hospital. Thank you for your interest in our Cardiology Fellowship Program. Alan Gradman , M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.C. Program Director, Cardiology Fellowship Program The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Department of Medicine |
