Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology

The Discipline

Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology represents advanced training in cardiovascular disease and focuses on management of complex cardiac electrophysiologic disease of the heart. Often called “electrophysiologists,” these internists are trained in the mechanism, function, and performance of the electrical activities of the heart. Electrophysiologists evaluate and assist with management of patients with significant heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias). They are trained to perform noninvasive and invasive diagnostic procedures (such as tilt-table testing and electrophysiologic studies) and to treat arrhythmias with medication, devices (pacemakers, cardioverters), and interventional methods (such as catheter ablation).

Cardiac electrophysiologists typically practice in cardiology group practices and in medical institutions in which these types of disorders are diagnosed and managed.

Training

Cardiac electrophysiologists must complete an additional year of training beyond a general internal medicine residency and fellowship in cardiovascular disease; this training is most commonly done immediately following a cardiovascular disease fellowship. Following completion, cardiac electrophysiologists are eligible for board certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Training Positions

In the 2017-2018 academic year, there are 108 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited training programs in clinical cardiac electrophysiology with 192 trainees.

Major Professional Society

• Heart Rhythm Society

Back to the May 2018 issue of ACP IMpact