Emory's Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship is a rigorous two-year training program committed to developing electrophysiologists with superb technical, clinical, and academic ability.
Our electrophysiology faculty are pioneers and thought leaders in radiofrequency ablation, transcatheter pacing, left atrial appendage management, and cardiac resynchronization. Emory remains one of the highest electrophysiology centers in the nation.
Program Philosophy
We believe that a broad, high-volume clinical experience is critical for the development of an excellent electrophysiologist. Our fellows are exposed to the entire range of approaches and technologies used for atrial fibrillation ablative therapy.
As Emory is a major heart transplant center referral center for the Southeast, our fellows have a large heart failure device exposure. In collaboration with the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program, fellows have generous experience in complex device implantation and ablation in patients with complex anatomy. As an extraction referral center, fellows are trained in manual, laser, mechanical, and femoral extraction techniques.
Emory's electrophysiology program was at the forefront of many ground-breaking technologies, including left atrial appendage occlusion, subcutaneous ICD implantation, and transcatheter pacing. As a result, our trainees perform a vast amount of newer generation procedures allowing them to be certified for these skills prior to graduation.
Our program also has a heavy emphasis on strong academic performance. Our fellows are offered ample research opportunities and are expected to have produced at least one manuscript or national meeting research presentation by the end of their training.
Research Interest Areas
- Transcatheter pacing
- Subcutaneous ICD
- Magnetic resonance determined scar burden and its relation to cryoblation
- Animal models of atrial fibrillation
- Outcomes of lead extraction
Program Curriculum
The clinical electrophysiology fellowship curriculum is designed around proficiency-based goals that are directly tied to the current ACGME competencies for medical education.
Fellows will be expected to develop expert proficiency in the management of both inpatients and outpatients with dysrhythmias. Proficiency will be measured to include demonstrated performance in procedures and the ability to communicate accurately and compassionately the risks and benefits of the procedures to their patients.
Patient-Centered Care Knowledge
Fellows must demonstrate knowledge, proficiency, and patient-centered care in:
- Obtaining vascular access from all appropriate sites as well as techniques for hemostasis at the conclusion of procedures
- Implantation of temporary and permanent pacemakers; defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization devices; and loop recorders
- Performance of non-invasive, programmed stimulation and defibrillation threshold testing; chemical and electrical cardioversion
- Performance of catheter ablation of sinus tachycardia, atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, AV nodal reentry, accessory pathways, AV junction, bundle branch reentry, idiopathic VT and VT in the setting of structural heart disease
- Interpretation of tilt table tests; Holter and Event Monitor recordings; and Signal-averaged ECGs and T-wave alternate tests
- Interpretation of intracardiac recordings during diagnostic electrophysiologic study and catheter ablation
Cardiac Rhythm Disorders Knowledge
- Sinus node dysfunction
- Atrioventricular nodal and infranodal block
- Supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias
- Atrial fibrillation and flutter
- Arrhythmias in the setting of adult congenital heart disease
- Wolf Parkinson-White syndrome
- Long QT Syndrome and related channelopathies, including Brugada Syndrome and Short QT Syndrome
Arrhythmia Disorders Knowledge
- Neurally mediated syncope
- Aborted sudden cardiac death
- Atrial fibrillation and flutter
- Arrhythmias in the setting of adult congenital heart disease
- Unexplained syncope
Teaching Methods
- Didactic conferences
- Clinical teaching
- Role modeling
- Mentoring
- Case-based teaching
- Journal club
- Research projects
Scholarly Activities and Research
Fellows will be proficient in hypothesis generation to address pertinent research questions in cardiac electrophysiology and will have sufficient experience with experimental design, implementation, analysis, and manuscript completion to be capable of continuing an academic career. Fellows will:
- Complete CITI (Collaborative IRB Training Initiative) human subject education program (HSEP)
- HIPAA training
- Design research protocol and methodology utilizing Emory University IRB/IACUC recommendations and conforming to published scientific medical standards
- Submit and obtain Emory University IRB/IACUC approval for research protocol
- Demonstrate effort and understanding of process to obtain funding for research, including utilization of appropriate sponsor and institutional documents
- Direct or perform clinical data extraction and management, including proper informed consent, when appropriate, and data analysis
Application Information
Applicants must apply through ERAS for the 2019 interview cycle. Please refer to the ERAS site for application submissions.
Please contact Lesia C. Waker, program coordinator, with any questions.