Interventional Catheterization Fellowship

Clinical training experience

Trainees will be involved in all pediatric procedures performed during their 12 month fellowship. They will gain a broad experience in interventional work which will include first-hand experience with dilation techniques (valvuloplasty, angioplasty, atrial septostomy/atrial decompression) closure techniques (patent ductus arteriosus, atrial and ventricular septal defect, collaterals), pericardiocentesis and, when possible, stent and transcatheter valve placement. The trainee will also participate in counseling of patients and families with respect to the indications for the procedure, procedural details along with potential risks and complications and post catheterization results. They will be expected to participate in pre-procedure planning and discussion along with the core cardiology trainees. In addition, the fellow will assist in the learning of the junior core trainees during their rotation through the cath lab. The fellow will be expected to participate in scheduled educational sessions which may include weekly rounds, monthly core curriculum lectures or National Pediatric Cardiology Rounds.

Trainees will be supervised by the attending interventional cardiology staff physicians. This includes pre and post-procedural management of patients, as well as hands on supervision during procedures. Progressive, increasingly independent responsibility in performing procedures and patient management decisions will be given depending on the ability of the trainee, but still under the direction of the staff.

Research experience

All fellows are expected to participate in at least one to two research initiatives per year of training under the supervision of faculty. The fellows gain experience in generating a research proposal(s) with hypothesis driven objectives, documentation of knowledge gaps in the field, and use of appropriate methodology. The research outcomes are presented locally and should culminate in one or more abstract presentations at national and/or international scientific conferences and one or more peer-reviewed publication.

Subspecialty training in interventional cardiac catheterization at the University of Alberta will provide the trainee with the exposure and experience required to function as an independent interventionalist in a pediatric cardiology center performing a broad range of diagnostic and interventional catheterizations on patients with congenital and acquired heart disease. Training will encompass a minimum of 12 months of dedicated clinical training in the cardiac catheterization laboratory as well as academic/research activities.

Teaching experience

All trainees are expected to participate in formal and informal teaching sessions for the pediatric cardiology trainees and other pediatric cardiology subspecialty fellows. Interventional catheterization fellows will also be encouraged to present cardiac catheterizations for discussion at the combined Cardiothoracic Surgical Conference.