Subspecialty Careers: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
The Discipline
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology is a branch of Cardiology that manages complex cardiac arrhythmias with the use of implantable pacemakers and cardioverter-defibrillators, and also applies other interventional techniques and treatments.
Procedures
Specialization in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology requires a physician to perform and interpret a number of noninvasive diagnostic procedures such as ambulatory ECG monitoring, event recording, telephone ECG transmission, signal-averaged electrocardiography, tilt table testing, assessment of heart rate variability, and other tests of the autonomic nervous system. Advanced training in temporary cardiac pacing, transesophageal atrial pacing, cardioversion, interpretation of invasive electrophysiologic study data, and complex arrhythmia ECG interpretation is also provided.
Training
Three years of Cardiovascular Disease fellowship training in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), including 24 months of clinical training, are required before entering a training program in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. Training in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology involves an additional year of fellowship training, ideally pursued immediately following the prerequisite Cardiovascular Disease fellowship training.
Training Positions
For the 2012-2013 academic year, there are 103 ACGME-accredited training programs in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology and 57 trainees.
Certification
Successful Diplomates will be awarded an ABIM Subspecialty Certificate in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. The certificate will bear dates limiting the duration of its validity to ten years, but is renewable upon successful completion of ABIM's Maintenance of Certification program.