Cardiology

Residents interested in Pediatric Cardiology should pursue electives and procedural experiences that provide a comprehensive understanding of the diagnosis and management of congenital and acquired heart disease. This includes exposure to cardiac imaging (echocardiography, cardiac MRI), electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, and cardiac intensive care. Residents should also gain experience working with multidisciplinary teams, including cardiac surgeons, intensivists, and advanced practice providers, as well as exposure to inpatient, outpatient, and consultative cardiology care. Opportunities to engage in research and quality improvement projects within the field are highly encouraged to deepen their understanding of cardiac physiology and evidence-based practice.

Contacts

Allison Divanovic & Elisa Marcuccio

Essential Electives

Recommended Electives

Residents should schedule time with echocardiography, Cardiothoracic Surgery, the Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention Program, and the outpatient Electrophysiology Service.

A half block elective will expose residents to the management of pre and post operative patents with congenital cardiac malformations and other conditions.

This half block only elective (8 clinical days) is scheduled with Anesthesiology. Residents are assigned to different OR rooms each day. It is generally limited to PGY-3 and above residents due to limited teaching availability. 

Procedures: Endotracheal intubation, bag mask ventilation, peripheral IVs

Note: Starting with the 2025-26 academic year this rotation may be limited to residents applying to Critical Care Medicine, Emergency Medicine, or Neonatology only. Please discuss your desire to do this rotation with the Chief Residents.

Other Electives

This half or full-block elective will enhance understanding of cardiac-specific nutrition, focusing on growth challenges in congenital heart disease, fluid management, and specialized diets for heart failure patients.

This half or full-block elective will expose residents to genetic syndromes associated with congenital heart disease, emphasizing the role of genetic counseling and testing in cardiac patient management.

Residents in this half or full-block elective will accompany the Cincinnati Children’s Transport Team on various inter-facility transports. There is a limited opportunity for aircare transport as well.

This half or full block-block elective will allow residents to increase their comfort in managing post-surgical and procedural pain in cardiac patients, with attention to multimodal analgesia and opioid-sparing strategies.

This half or full block-block elective will strengthen knowledge of kidney-cardiac interactions, emphasizing fluid overload, hypertension, and renal replacement therapies in cardiac patients, as well as nephrotoxic injury prevention through the NINJA (Nephrotoxic Injury Negated by Just-in-Time Action) quality improvement initiative which aims to reduce nephrotoxic medication-associated acute kidney injury in hospitalized children.

This half or full-block elective will improve recognition of neurologic complications in cardiac patients, including stroke, neurodevelopmental outcomes, and hypoxic-ischemic injury.

This half or full-block elective will enhance understanding of pulmonary hypertension and the interplay between lung disease and congenital heart disease.

Recommended procedures

• Bag mask ventilation
• CPR
• Echocardiography (Transthoracic)
• Defibrillation / Cardioversion
• Peripheral IV/venipuncture
• Central venous access
• Adenosine administration
• EKG Lead Placement

Optional procedures

• Arterial Line
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Chest tube
• Endotracheal intubation
• IO
• Procedural Sedation

Other Experiences

Attend the Cardiology Division conferences while on Cardiology electives:

• Weekly Case Management and Surgery Conference
• Flight plan
• Morbidity & Mortality

Other educational activities:

• Attend a scheduled delivery in the Fetal Care Center for a neonate with congenital heart disease
• The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Cardiology Conference, a well-regarded annual meeting covering advancements in pediatric and congenital heart disease.
• American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Trainee Workgroup: This group provides opportunities for pediatric cardiology fellows and residents to engage in networking, mentorship, advocacy, and scholarly activities within the AAP.

Scholarly Activity

Most applicants pursuing Cardiology participate in a scholarly project. The project does not have to be housed in the Heart institute specifically, but most residents applying to Cardiology have completed a project with a Division mentor. The quality the mentoring and methodology are the most important criteria programs consider.

Professional Organizations

AHA: American Heart Association

A leading organization in the United States dedicated to improving heart health and reducing deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke.

PCICS: Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society

An international professional organization focused on improving the care of critically ill pediatric patients with heart disease, as well as advancing research and education in pediatric cardiac critical care.

PACES: Pediatric and Congenital Electrophysiology Society

A professional organization dedicated to advancing the knowledge and care of children and young adults with heart rhythm disorders, as well as adults with congenital heart disease.

AAP: American Academy of Pediatrics

Specifically the Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, which focuses on pediatric cardiology and congenital heart surgery. It provides educational resources, advocacy, and networking opportunities for trainees and professionals. Joining AAP SOOCS allows cardiology trainees to engage in discussions on pediatric cardiac care, participate in policy initiatives, and contribute to educational and research efforts within the field.

ACC: American College of Cardiology

The ACC is a professional organization dedicated to cardiovascular medicine, including an active Pediatric & Congenital Cardiology Section. This section supports research, clinical advancements, and advocacy for pediatric and congenital heart disease care. Trainees can benefit from ACC membership by accessing high-quality educational content, mentorship programs, and involvement in conferences like the ACC Annual Scientific Session, which includes pediatric cardiology-focused sessions.

Journals & Online Resources

Journals

• Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC): A leading peer-reviewed journal focusing on all aspects of cardiovascular disease, including original research, reviews, and clinical studies.
• Circulation: A premier journal from the American Heart Association, publishing articles related to cardiovascular health, including original research and reviews.
• Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA): An open-access journal that provides rapid publication of research in all areas of cardiovascular medicine.
• Cardiology in the Young: A journal dedicated to all aspects of pediatric and congenital cardiology, covering topics from fetal life to adulthood.
• Pediatric Cardiology: This journal offers original research articles, case reports, and reviews on the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases in children.
• World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery: A peer-reviewed journal focusing on the surgical aspects of pediatric and congenital heart disease.

Online Educational Platforms

• Heart University: An online educational resource offering modules, lectures, and interactive content for healthcare professionals in pediatric cardiology.
• Heartpedia: Developed by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, this app provides 3D interactive models of congenital heart defects and repairs to educate patients and families.  

Podcasts

• PediHeart Podcast: Hosted by Dr. Robert Pass, this podcast reviews the latest literature and interviews thought leaders in pediatric cardiovascular care.  

Key Books

• Park’s Pediatric Cardiology for Practitioners: A comprehensive guide covering the fundamentals of pediatric cardiology, suitable for both practitioners and trainees.
• Critical Heart Disease in Infants and Children: This book provides in-depth coverage of the diagnosis and management of critical heart conditions in young patients.
• Fuhrman and Zimmerman’s Pediatric Critical Care: A definitive resource on pediatric critical care medicine, covering a wide range of conditions and treatments.

EKG Interpretation Books

• Rapid Interpretation of EKG’s by Dale Dubin: A beginner-friendly guide to understanding EKGs.
• Electrocardiography for Clinicians by Deal et al.: A detailed resource for clinicians seeking to deepen their EKG interpretation skills.