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

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

AHAAmerican Heart Association

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

PCICSPediatric 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.

PACESPediatric 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