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
Cardiology
- A full block spent on the Cardiology service will expose you to the scope of acute and chronic conditions and procedures in the field.
Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
- A full block in the Cardiac ICU will expose you to the management of surgical patients, heart failure, ECMO, and more.
Recommended Electives
Ultrasound
Offered 4 blocks a year, residents on this elective will participate in 8-half days learning hands on POCUS. After tutorial sessions residents will scan actual patients and practice techniques such as skin and soft tissue, bladder, cardiac, lung, and more.
Cardiovascular Surgery
A half block elective will expose residents to the management of pre and post operative patents with congenital cardiac malformations and other conditions.
Radiology
This half or full block elective is taught by faculty in the Division of Radiology. Residents pursuing Cardiology should seek out additional experiences in echocardiography, thoracic imaging, and Interventional Radiology by scheduling in advance.
Other Electives
Anesthesia
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
Nutrition
This half block elective will expose residents to enteral and parenteral nutrition.
Transport
Residents in this half 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.
Pain: Acute
This half block elective will allow residents to increase their comfort in managing acute pain in the hospital setting.
Recommended procedures
- Bag mask ventilation
- CPR
- Echocardiography (Transthoracic)
- Defibrillation / Cardioversion
- Peripheral IV/venipuncture
Optional procedures
- Arterial Line
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Central venous access
- Chest tube
- Endotracheal intubation
- IO
- POCUS
Other Experiences
Attend the Cardiology Division conferences while on Cardiology electives – especially the weekly Case Management and Surgery conferences
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.
Journals & Online Resources
- Heartpedia
- PediHeart Podcast
- Park’s Pediatric Cardiology