EP FELLOWSHIP

CORE CURRICULUM
Introduction
The clinical cardiac electrophysiology fellow will be given the opportunity to acquire a full range of basic
and clinical knowledge and skills beyond the level necessary to independently assume the responsibilities of an
academic or practicing electrophysiologist. The core curriculum follows all the recommended guidelines
published by The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), The American College of Cardiology (ACC), The American Heart
Association (AHA), and The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Included in the
curriculum are Guidelines and Policies necessary for the staff electrophysiologist to remain in good standing at
our institution (See Fellow Guidelines).

Basic Electrophysiology
As with every aspect of the curriculum, the fellow will be evaluated based on the ACGME core
competencies patient care (compassionate, appropriate, effective), medical knowledge (established and
evolving protocols and application to patient care), practice-based learning and improvement (continuous
assessment and quality improvement), interpersonal and communication skills (effective information exchange
with patients, colleagues and associates), professionalism (ethics and sensitivity of diversity), and systems-based
practice (awareness of larger context of health care system). The basic electrophysiology component of the ACC
EPSAP will be reviewed in detail.
Objectives: To learn the normal electrophysiology of the human heart. Specifically, this includes obtaining an
understanding of the electrophysiology of the atrial and ventricular myocardium, sinus node, AV node, and HisPurkinje system under normal conditions. To understand the origins of disturbances in the normal heart rhythm,
the basic pharmacological properties and actions of antiarrhythmic agents, and basic effects of the autonomic
nervous system on both. Special emphasis is placed on applying this knowledge to patient care in a clinical
setting and effectively communicating with the patient, as well as research protocols. To apply this medical
knowledge in a clinical patient care setting.
1. Determinants of normal cardiac rhythm
a. Origins of resting potentials, channels and ionic currents
b. Differences between fast and slow response action potentials
c. Location of fast and slow action potentials
2. Determinants of normal conduction
a. Understanding of cell to cell interaction and conductance
b. Electronus
c. Fiber diameter
d. Passive membrane potential
e. Upstroke velocity
f. Autonomous nervous system influences on all factors of conduction
3. Genesis of arrhythmias
a. Abnormal impulse initiation
i. Abnormal automaticity
ii. Altered automaticity
iii. Triggered activity early and delayed after potentials
b. Disordered impulse propagation
i. Slow response
ii. Depressed fast response
iii. Re-entry
iv. Reflection
v. Anisotropic conduction

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c. Autonomic nervous system effects on all factors of genesis

d. Protocols for treatment
e. Patient care basics
i. Effective treatment
ii. Sensitivity
iii. Treating the whole patient
f. Ethical responsibilities
4. Antiarrhythmic drug actions
a. Mechanism(s) of action
b. Drug-receptor interactions
c. Modulated and guarded receptor hypothesis
d. Cellular electrophysiological effects of the various classes of drugs
e. Modulation of drug effects by metabolic alterations

Basic Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

The fellow will be evaluated based on the ACGME core competencies patient care (compassionate,
appropriate, effective), medical knowledge (established and evolving protocols and application to patient care),
practice-based learning and improvement (continuous assessment and quality improvement), interpersonal and
communication skills (effective information exchange with patients, colleagues and associates), professionalism
(ethics and sensitivity of diversity), and systems-based practice (awareness of larger context of health care
system). These competencies will be covered in-depth in our lecture series.
Objectives: To understand how the autonomic nervous system, ischemia, electrolyte disturbances, cardiac
disease and other conditions affect cardiac electrophysiology and alter the pharmacological properties of
antiarrhythmic drugs. To learn the indication, limitations and risks of available and experimental pharmacological
treatments for rhythm disturbances. Special emphasis is placed on current patient care protocols and
communication with patient on effectiveness, efficacy, interactions and pros and cons of medical therapy. To
apply this medical knowledge in a clinical patient care setting. Additional emphasis is placed on emerging
medical therapies and continued research protocols.
1. Basic pharmacokinetic principles
a. Absorption
i. Effect of lipid solubility
ii. Ionic changes on absorption
b. Distribution
i. Apparent vs. anatomic volumes
ii. Tissue and protein binding
c. Metabolism
i. Hepatic and non-hepatic mechanisms
ii. First pass
iii. Induction
iv. Inhibition by other factors
d. Elimination
i. Liver
ii. Lung
iii. Kidney
iv. T1/2
v. Zero/first order kinetics
vi. Dose-dependent kinetics
e. Clearance
i. T1/2
ii. Steady state
iii. Compartmental analysis
f. Receptor theory
g. Structure-activity relationships
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h. Agonist, antagonist
i. Therapeutic index
2. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of antiarrhythmic agents
a. Classes of antiarrhythmic drug action
b. Effects of drugs on conduction and refractoriness of myocardial tissue
c. Channel-blocking drugs
d. Drug indications
e. Contraindications
f. Dosages
g. Interactions
h. Adverse effects
i. Elimination T1/2 in renal, hepatic or heart failure
3. Pharmacological treatment of arrhythmia patients
a. Patient communication
b. Ethical obligations
c. Improving patient care
d. Treating the whole patient

Arrhythmias
The fellow will be evaluated based on the ACGME core competencies patient care (compassionate,
appropriate, effective), medical knowledge (established and evolving protocols and application to patient care),
practice-based learning and improvement (continuous assessment and quality improvement), interpersonal and
communication skills (effective information exchange with patients, colleagues and associates), professionalism
(ethics and sensitivity of diversity), and systems-based practice (awareness of larger context of health care
system).
Objectives: To learn the pathogenesis of the full gamut of arrhythmias, related symptom complexes and
syndromes, and neurocardiac diseases and to understand the technique, application, indications, limitation,
sensitivity and specificity of the various non-invasive and invasive diagnostic tests. These arrhythmias and
clinical syndromes include sinus node dysfunction, heart block due to AV node and His-Purkinje dysfunction;
supraventricular tachycardias; ventricular tachycardias; resuscitated sudden cardiac death; patient population at
risk of sudden cardiac death; syncope; palpitations; long QT and other hereditary arrhythmia syndromes;
proarrhythmic complications; and neurocardiogenic syncope syndromes. To learn the indication, limitations and
risks of available and experimental pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for the above disorders.
Specific non-pharmacological approaches include catheter ablation, pacemakers, implantable defibrillators,
surgical ablation, and implantable pharmacological devices. To apply this medical knowledge in a clinical patient
care setting.
1. Supraventricular
a. Sinus node dysfunction
b. Atrioventricular conduction abnormalities
c. Supraventricular tachycardias
i. Site of origins
ii. Mechanisms
d. Pre-excitation syndromes
e. Differentiation of SVT with aberrancy from VT and WPW
2. Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias
a. VPD
b. VT
i. Sustained
ii. Non-sustained
iii. Monomorphic
iv. Polymorphic
v. Bidirectional

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c.

Etiologies associated types of underlying heart disease

i. Myocardial infarction
ii. Cardiomyopathy
iii. RV dysplasia
iv. Long QT syndromes
v. Digitalis toxicity
vi. Idiopathic
vii. Verapamil sensitive
d. Definition and distinction
e. AV dissociation
f. Fusion or capture beats
g. QRS morphology
3. Arrhythmia patient care
a. Appropriate care
b. Effective communication
c. Ethical obligations
d. Treatment of the whole patient

Invasive Electrophysiology
The fellow will be evaluated based on the ACGME core competencies patient care (compassionate,
appropriate, effective), medical knowledge (established and evolving protocols and application to patient care),
practice-based learning and improvement (continuous assessment and quality improvement), interpersonal and
communication skills (effective information exchange with patients, colleagues and associates), professionalism
(ethics and sensitivity of diversity), and systems-based practice (awareness of larger context of health care
system).
Objective: To learn the indication, limitations and risks of available and experimental non-pharmacological
treatments for the above disturbances - specifically, catheter ablation, pacemakers, implantable defibrillators,
surgical ablation, and the emerging use of implantable pharmacological devices. To develop a thorough
understanding of the indications, limitations, and risks of pacemaker and defibrillator implantation, and to improve
implantation techniques. This also involves development of a thorough understanding of the appropriate use and
risks of fluoroscopic imaging equipment and the management of acute complications such as cardiac tamponade.
Particular emphasis will be placed on indications for implantation techniques for biventricular pacemakers,
management of congestive heart failure, and prophylaxis for sudden cardiac death. To apply this knowledge to
patient care settings to determine the most effective treatment plan.
1. Introductory principles
a. Indications
b. Data interpretation
c. Therapeutic implications
d. Sensitivity
e. Specificity
f. Normal conduction
g. Resource
h. Resource stimulator
i. Recorders
j. X-ray
k. Emergency
2. Catheter techniques and risks
a. Recording sites

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3.

4.

5.

6.

b. Risks
i. Perforation
ii. Hematoma
iii. Bleeding
iv. Thromboembolic pneumonia
v. Arrhythmias
vi. Tamponade
His Bundle recordings
a. Recording
b. Validation
Sinus and AV Node functions
a. Sinus node recovery times (SNRT)
b. Sino atrial conduction times (SACT)
c. Intracardiac conduction intervals
i. PA
1. Sinus
2. Pacing
ii. AH
1. Sinus
2. Pacing
iii. HV
1. Sinus
2. Pacing
iv. H-RB
1. Sinus
2. Pacing
Refractory periods
a. Atrial
b. Ventricular
c. AV Node
d. His Purkinje
e. Ventricular conduction
i. Normal
ii. Eccentric
f. Concealed conduction
g. Gap phenomena
Atrioventricular Block/Intraventricular Conduction Defects
a. Natural history
i. Av Nodal
ii. Intrahisian
iii. Infrahisian
b. Fascicular blocks
i. Uni
ii. Bi
iii. Tri
c. Bundle branch block
i. Functional
ii. Rate dependent
iii. Alternating
iv. Prolonged HV
d. Prognostic significance
i. Acute myocardial infarction
ii. Fascicular block(s)
e. Atrial pacing induced infra AV Nodal block

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f.

Permanent pacing indications related to AV block site

i. Congenital
ii. Chronic
iii. Acute infarction
g. Antiarrhythmic drugs
i. Effect on autonomic nervous system
ii. Effect on AV conduction
7. Supraventricular Tachycardia
a. Pacing techniques
i. Atrial overdrive pacing
ii. Atrial extrastimulation
iii. Ventricular pacing
iv. Ventricular extrastimulation
b. Types
i. Clinical criteria
ii. ECG criteria
iii. Electrophysiologic criteria
c. Accessory pathway location by 12 lead ECG
i. WPW Syndrome
d. Mechanisms
i. Intraatrial
1. Sinus
2. Sinoatrial re-entrant
3. Atrial-automatic
4. Re-entrant
5. Miltifocal
6. Atrial flutter
7. Atrial fibrillation
ii. AV junctional
1. AV Nodal re-entrant
a. Typical
b. Atypical
2. Automatic
a. Junctional automatic tachycardia
b. Nonparoxysmal junctional tachycardia
iii. Atrioventricular reciprocating (re-entrant) tachycardia
1. Orthodromic
2. Antidromic
3. Nodoventricular
4. atriofascicular
5. Permanent form of AV junctional re-entrant tachycardia (PJRT)

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e. Site origins
i. Intraatrial
1. Sinus
2. Sinoatrial re-entrant
3. Atrial-automatic
4. Re-entrant
5. Miltifocal
6. Atrial flutter
7. Atrial fibrillation
ii. AV junctional
1. AV Nodal re-entrant
a. Typical
b. Atypical
2. Automatic
a. Junctional automatic tachycardia
b. Nonparoxysmal junctional tachycardia
iii. Atrioventricular reciprocating (re-entrant) tachycardia
1. Orthodromic
2. Antidromic
3. Nodoventricular
4. atriofascicular
5. Permanent form of AV junctional re-entrant tachycardia (PJRT)
iv. Electrophysiologic assessment
1. Endocardial pacing
2. Mapping studies to localize origin and pathway site
3. EP ECG interpretation
4. Pharmacologic indications
a. Vagolytic agents
b. Vagomimetic agents
c. Sympathomimetic agents
d. Beta blocking agents
5. Assessment of drug effects at EP testing
6. Serial EP testing indications
7. Antitachycardia pacing
8. Indications fro catheter or surgical ablation
8. Ventricular tachycardia
a. Differential diagnosis of wide QRS
b. Criteria
i. VT
ii. Bundle branch
iii. Re-entrant
c. Programmed stimulation protocols
i. Minimal
ii. Recordings
iii. Interpretation
d. Characteristics
i. Automatic
ii. Re-entrant
iii. Triggered
e. Sensitivity and specificity induction
i. Sustained
ii. Non-sustained
iii. Monomorphic
iv. Polymorphic
v. Ventricular fibrillation

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f.

Pacing termination protocols

i. Burst
ii. Adaptive
iii. Scanning extrastimuli
9. Pacemaker/ICD implantation
a. Instrumentation
b. Patient preparation
i. Monitoring
ii. Site
c. Techniques
d. Analysis and electrophysiologic testing
i. Pacing threshold
ii. Sensing electrogram recoding
iii. Slew rate
iv. VA conduction
v. Pacemaker syndrome
vi. Complications
1. Immediate
2. Late
vii. Troubleshooting
viii. Documentation
ix. DFT testing
10. Sudden cardiac death
a. Presentations
b. At risk patients
i. Post acute MI
ii. Cardiomyopathy
iii. Long QT
iv. Drug toxicity
c. Programmed ventricular stimulation
i. Indications
ii. Sensitivity
iii. Specificity
iv. Drug-facilitated patients
v. Congenital Long QT
vi. Acquire Long QT
vii. Exercise-induced VT
11. Arrhythmia mapping techniques
a. Interpretation of local electrograms
i. Effects of filtering
ii. Local activation times of tachycardias
iii. Late potentials
iv. Low amplitude potentials
v. Fractionated electrograms
vi. Continuous electrical activity

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b. Endocardial catheter mapping

i. Indications
1. Patients with VT
2. Patients with SVT
ii. EP concepts
1. Entrainment
2. Resetting
3. Fusion
4. Activation
5. Entry or exit block resulting from pacing intervention
iii. Activation and potential mapping with multiple electrograms
iv. Catheterization safety
1. Hemodynamic compromise
2. Ischemic compromise
c. Intraoperative mapping
i. Computer-aided multichannel recorders
ii. Understanding surgical ablation
1. WPW mapping
a. Pacing induction
b. AV groove mapping
c. Early ventricular activation
d. Atrial activation
2. Problems
a. Multiple VT morphologies
b. Anesthetic effects
c. Geometry distortions of VT morphology
3. Earliest site of origin
a. Endocardial mapping
b. Epicardial mapping
12. Antitachycardia devices
a. Patient Assessment
i. Pacemakers for bradycardia
ii. Cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) for tachycardia
iii. Physiology of electrical stimulation
iv. Genesis of endocardial electrogram
v. Basic pulse generator design and function
1. Pacemakers
2. ICDs
vi. Pacemakers
1. Guidelines
2. Indications
3. Contraindications
4. Type
vii. ICDs
1. Guidelines
2. Indications
3. Contraindications
4. Type
viii. Implantation testing
1. Threshold testing
2. Electrogram recording
ix. Device complications
x. Device and antiarrythmic drug interactions
xi. Follow-up methods
1. Pacemakers
2. ICDs
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13. RF Catheter Ablation-Tachycardias

a. Introduction
i. Appropriate patient selection
ii. Indications
iii. Complications
iv. Physics of current delivery
v. Pathology of tissue damage
vi. Peak voltage and current delivered
1. Impedance characteristics
2. Temperature
b. Atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT)
i. Indications
ii. Potential complications AV block
iii. Catheter placement
iv. Patch placement
v. Range of energies
vi. Fast vs. slow pathway ablation
vii. Anatomical or pathway potential guided
viii. Efficacy
c. Atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia (AVRT)
i. Mapping of tricuspid and mitral rings for pathway potentials
ii. Classification of pathways
1. Free wall
2. Anterior septal
3. Posterior septal
iii. Efficacy
iv. Potential complications
d. Atrioventricular junction ablation
i. Indications for inducing AV block
ii. Hemodynamic consequences of complete AV block
iii. His bundle recordings
e. Ventricular tachycardia (VT)
i. Mapping
ii. Catheter placement
iii. Exit block localization
1. Overdrive pacing
2. Premature ventricular stimulation
iv. Indications
v. Appropriate patient selection
vi. Contraindications
vii. Energy ranges
viii. Alternative energy sources
f. Atrial flutter/tachycardia
i. Mapping
ii. Catheter placement
iii. Efficacy
14. Surgical treatment of tachycardia
a. Atrial fibrillation
i. MAZE procedure
1. Indications
2. Patient selection
b. VT
i. Risks
ii. Determinants of post-op mortality and morbidity

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c.

Intra-op techniques
i. Localizing His bundle
ii. Localizing accessory pathways
iii. Localizing tachycardia foci
d. Current techniques
e. Limitations
f. Potential benefits
15. Invasive electrophysiology patient care
a. Appropriate care
b. Effective communication
i. Sensitivity
ii. Outlining the plan of care
iii. Outlining alternate treatment plans
iv. Discussing treatment risks and benefits
c. Ethical obligations
d. Treatment of the whole patient

Device Management
The fellow will be evaluated based on the ACGME core competencies patient care (compassionate,
appropriate, effective), medical knowledge (established and evolving protocols and application to patient care),
practice-based learning and improvement (continuous assessment and quality improvement), interpersonal and
communication skills (effective information exchange with patients, colleagues and associates), professionalism
(ethics and sensitivity of diversity), and systems-based practice (awareness of larger context of health care
system).
Objective: To develop a thorough understanding of the management of permanent pacemakers and implantable
cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), including troubleshooting and implantable device-related problems. To gain an
advanced understanding of electrocardiographyas well as other non-invasive risk stratifying studies such as
signal-averaged electrocardiography, T wave alternans testing, heart rate variability, and autonomic testing. To
further the fellows patient management and consulting skills for patients with all types of arrhythmias or
arrhythmia-related problems. To apply the medical knowledge gained to patient care settings to determine the
most effective treatment plan.
1. Pacemaker Service
a. Patient Follow-up
i. History
ii. Physical exam
iii. Chest x-ray
1. Lead position integrity
2. Generator orientation
iv. ECG
v. Telemetered pacemaker data
vi. Telemetered pacemaker programming
b. Indications for permanent pacemakers
c. Mode codes
i. 5 positions
ii. Prescription
d. Electrocardiography
e. Rates
i. Lower limits
ii. Upper limits
iii. Magnet rates
iv. Hysteresis
v. Fallback AV intervals
vi. Pacing timing cycles
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f.

g.
h.
i.

j.

Programmability
i. Rate
ii. Output
Evaluation of atrial capture
Atrial pacing systems
Troubleshooting
i. Undersensing
ii. Oversensing
iii. Crosstalk
Rapid paced ventricular rates
i. PMT
ii. Tracting of rapid atrial rates
Rate adaptive systems
Evaluation of chronotropic incompetence
End of life (EOL) indicators
Elective replacement (ERI) indicators
Management of external magnetic interference (EMI)

k.
l.
m.
n.
o.
2. Pacing
a. Physiology of electrical stimulation
b. Genesis of endocardial electrogram
c. Basic pulse generators
i. Design
ii. Function
d. Leads
i. Active
ii. Passive
iii. Uni-polar
iv. Bi-polar
v. Insulation
vi. Sensor types
vii. Epicardial
viii. Endocardial
e. Indications for device implantation
i. Bradycardia
ii. Tachycardia
f. Proper prescription
g. Contraindications
h. Complications
i. Single chamber
ii. Dual chamber
iii. Rate adaptive devices
iv. Antitachycardia devices
i. Device interactions
i. Drugs
ii. Other devices
j. Analyzer function and operation
i. Measurements
ii. Minimal acceptable PSA measurements
k. Post-implant complications
l. Device malfunction differential diagnosis
m. Use of external programmers

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3. Electrocardiography
a. Indications
i. Overt cardiovascular disease
ii. Suspected cardiovascular disease
iii. Assess therapy results
iv. Patient age and risk factors
1. Hypercholesterolemia
2. Diabetes
3. Obesity
4. Smoking
5. Positive family history
v. Pre-op assessment
vi. Diseases and additional factors
1. Renal failure
2. Diabetic acidosis
3. Hypothermia
4. Electrolyte abnormalities
5. Toxic drugs
6. Miscellaneous
b. Complications
i. Inappropriate interpretation
ii. Underestimation
1. Sensitivity
2. Specificity
3. Predictive value
iii. Patient disease as a result of above
c. Techniques
i. Electrode placement
ii. Lead reversals
iii. Standardization
iv. Paper speed
v. Artifacts
vi. Muscle tremor
d. Normal Ecg
e. QRS
i. Axis
ii. Rotation
iii. Position
f. Arrhythmias
i. Rhythm
ii. Cardiac
g. Av conduction
i. AV block
ii. VA conduction
h. Intraventricular conduction
i. BBB
ii. Fascicular blocks
iii. Anomalous and aberrant conduction
i. Hypertrophy
i. Atrial
ii. Ventricular
1. Right
2. Left
j. Ischemia
k. Infarction
l. Pacemaker rhythms
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m. ECG patterns
i. Dextrocardia
ii. Long QT
iii. Mitral stenosis
iv. Chronic lung disease
v. CVA
vi. Tamponade
vii. Pericarditis
viii. Pulmonary embolism
ix. Hyperthermia
x. Hypothermia
xi. Electrolyte imbalances
xii. Antiarrhythmic drug effects
4. Ambulatory ECG Monitoring
a. Continuous analog tape monitoring (Holter)
i. Duration
ii. Indications
iii. Use
1. Risk stratification post acute MI
2. Documenting ischemic ST changes
3. Evaluating antiarrhythmic therapy
b. Patient activated short term event recorders
i. Types
1. Hand held
2. Memory loop
ii. Indications
5. Signal-Averaged ECG (SAECG)
a. Late potential
b. Indications
i. Risk stratification after myocardial infarction for sustained VT
ii. Dilated cardiomyopathy
iii. RV dysplasia
iv. Syncope
c. Criteria
i. 40-Hz high-pass filter
1. QRS duration
2. Root mean square (RMS) vector magnitude
3. Low amplitude signal (LAS)
ii. 25-Hz high-pass filter
1. QRSD
2. RMS
3. LAS
d. Prognostic value
i. Post-MI
1. Patient population
2. Effectiveness
3. Sensitivity and specificity ranges
ii. Other patient populations
e. Natural history of late potentials
i. Post acute MI
ii. Late potential development
f. Syncope and late potentials
i. VT induced
ii. Sensitivity and specificity
iii. False positives
iv. False negatives
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6. Tilt table testing

a. Indications
i. Vasovagal syncope
ii. Unexplained syncope
b. Methods
i. Standards
ii. Foot boards
iii. False positives
iv. Head angle
v. Duration
vi. Drugs
vii. Sensitivity
viii. Reproducibility
1. Positive tilt
2. Negative tilt
3. Variability ranges
ix. Predicting therapy
x. Provocation
1. Isoproterenol
2. NTG
3. Edrophonium
4. Epinephrine
5. ATP
7. Exercise testing
a. Indications
i. Reproducing arrhythmias brought on by exercise
ii. Judge drug efficacy or proarrhythmia
iii. Determine drug efficacy in rate control during AFIB
iv. Evaluate rate responsive pacemakers
b. Standards
c. Methods
8. Heart Rate Variability
a. Standards
b. Indications
9. Device patient care
e. Appropriate care
f. Effective communication
i. Sensitivity
ii. Outlining the plan of care
g. Ethical obligations
h. Treating the whole patient

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ACGME General Competencies

Vers. 1.3
9.28.99

Patient Care
Fellows must be able to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the
treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.
Fellows are expected to:
Communicate effectively and demonstrate caring and respectful behaviors
When interacting with patients and their families gather essential and accurate information about their
patients to make informed decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on patient
information and preferences, up-to-date scientific evidence, and clinical judgment
Develop and carry out patient management plans
Counsel and educate patients and their families
Use information technology to support patient care decisions and patient education
Perform competently all medical and invasive procedures considered essential for the area of practice
Provide health care services aimed at preventing health problems or maintaining health
Work with health care professionals, including those from other disciplines, to provide patient-focused
care

Medical Knowledge
Fellows must demonstrate knowledge about established and evolving biomedical, clinical, and cognate
(e.g. epidemiological and social-behavioral) sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care.
Fellows are expected to:
Demonstrate an investigatory and analytic thinking approach to clinical situations
Know and apply the basic and clinically supportive sciences which are appropriate to their discipline

Practice-Based Learning And Improvement

Fellows must be able to investigate and evaluate their patient care practices, appraise and assimilate
scientific evidence, and improve their patient care practices.
Fellows are expected to:
Analyze practice experience and perform practice-based improvement activities using a systematic
methodology
Locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to their patients health problems
Obtain and use information about their own population of patients and the larger population from which
their patients are drawn
Apply knowledge of study designs and statistical methods to the appraisal of clinical studies and other
information on diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness
Use information technology to manage information, access on-line medical information; and support their
own education
Facilitate the learning of students and other health care professionals

Interpersonal And Communication Skills

Fellows must be able to demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective
information exchange and teaming with patients, their patients families, and professional associates.
Fellows are expected to:
Create and sustain a therapeutic and ethically sound relationship with patients
Use effective listening skills and elicit and provide information using effective nonverbal, explanatory,
questioning, and writing skills
Work effectively with others as a member or leader of a health care team or
Other professional groups
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Professionalism
Fellows must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to
ethical principles, and sensitivity to a diverse patient population.
Fellows are expected to:
Demonstrate respect, compassion, and integrity; a responsiveness to the needs of patients and society
that supercedes self-interest; accountability to patients, society, and the profession; and a commitment to
excellence and on-going professional development
Demonstrate a commitment to ethical principles pertaining to provision or withholding of clinical care,
confidentiality of patient information, informed consent, and business practices
Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to patients culture, age, gender, and disabilities

Systems-Based Practice
Fellows must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of
health care and the ability to effectively call on system resources to provide care that is of optimal value.
Fellows are expected to:
Understand how their patient care and other professional practices affect other health care professionals,
the health care organization, and the larger society and how these elements of the system affect their
own practice
Know how types of medical practice and delivery systems differ from one another, including methods of
controlling health care costs and allocating resources
Practice cost-effective health care and resource allocation that does not compromise quality of care
Advocate for quality patient care and assist patients in dealing with system complexities
Know how to partner with health care managers and health care providers to assess, coordinate, and
improve health care and know how these activities can affect system performance

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Approved: 04/19/2005

Literature
Textbooks
1. Josephson ME: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology: Techniques and Interpretation. 2nd edition. Lea &
Febiger, Philadelphia, 1993.
2. Zipes DP and Jalife J: cardiac Electrophysiology: From Cell to Bedside. 2nd edition. W.B. Saunders
Company, Philadelphia, 1995.
3. EPSAP: Electrophysiology Self-Assessment Program. G.V. Naccarelli, editor-in-chief. American College
of Cardiology and North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology, 1996.
Literature/Guidelines
1. Guidelines for clinical intracardiac electrophysiology and catheter ablation procedures: a report of the
American College of Cardiology/AHA Task Froce on Practical Guidelines developed in collaboration with
NASPE. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1995:26;555-573.
2. Guidelines for clinical intracardiac electrophysiologic studies: a report of the American College of
Cardiology/AHA Task Force on Assessment of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Cardiovascular Procedures. J
Am Coll Cardiol. 1998;14:1827-1842.
3. Dreifus LS, Fisch C, Griffin JC, et al. Guidelines for implantation of cardiac pacemakers and
antiarrhythmic devices: a report of the American College of Cardiology/AHA Task Force on Assessment
of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Cardiovascular Procedures. Circulation 1991;84:455-467.
4. Task Force of the Working Group on Arrhythmias of the European Society of Cardiology. The Sicilian
Gambit. A new approach to the classification of antiarrhythmic drugs based on their actions on
arrhythmogenic mechanisms. Circulation 1991;84:1831-1851.
5. Clinical competence in invasive cardiac electrophysiological studies. ACP/ACC/AHA Task Force on
Clinical Privileges in Cardiology. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1994;23:1258-1261.
6. Clinical competence in cardiac electrocardiography. ACP/ACC/AHA Task Force on clinical privileges in
Cardiology. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1995;25:1465-1469.
7. Heart rate variability for risk stratification of life-threatening arrhythmias. American College of Cardiology
Cardiovascular Technology Assessment Committee. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1993;22:948-950.

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Rotations
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
9:
10:
11:
12:

Clinical EP Lab
Clinical EP Lab
Clinical EP Lab
Cardiac Care Unit
Outpatient Clinic
Outpatient Clinic
Non-invasive & Device Follow-up
Non-invasive & Device Follow-up
Inpatient EP Service
Inpatient EP Service
Clinical EP & Device Lab
Clinical EP & Device Lab

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CCEP Timeline for Competency Assessment

Level 11 General Cardiology Fellowship: Cardiac Arrhythmia and EP Core
Skills
Description

Time Frame

Knowledge and experience in the diagnosis and management of bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias

By 2 months

Indications for and limitations of electrophysiologic studies,

By 2 months

The appropriate use of pharmacological and nonpharmocologic therapeutic options

By 2 months

Proper and appropriate use of antiarrhythmic agents, including drug interactions and proarrhythmic potential

By 2 months

Exposed to noninvasive and invasive techniques related to the diagnosis and management of patients with cardiac
arrhythmias that include ECG monitoring, event recorders, exercise testing for arrhythmia assessment, tilt table
testing, and implantation of cardiac arrhythmia control devices
Basic ECG training on manifestations of arrhythmias

By 2 months

By 1 year

Didactic sessions and conferences in heart rhythm disorders and clinical correlations

By 1 year

Experience as a consultant in arrhythmia management with training and experience in arrhythmias associated with
congenital heart disease, cardiac and noncardiac surgical patients, and pre- and post-cardiac transplantation
patients
Formal instruction and experience with insertion, management, and follow-up of temporary pacemakers

By 1 year

By 1 year

Formal instruction and experience with measuring pacing and sensing thresholds and recording electrograms for
management of patients with temporary pacemakers
Formal training and experience with indications and techniques for elective and emergency cardioversions

By 1 year
By 1 year

Insertion of a minimum of 10 temporary pacemakers

By 1 year

Performance of at least 8 cardioversions

By 1 year

Level 21 General Cardiology Fellowship: Advanced Noninvasive

Skills
Description

Time Frame

Minimum of 6 months training as a noninvasive cardiac arrhythmia specialist with advanced competency and
proficiency in the diagnosis, treatment and longitudinal care of patients with complex arrhythmias
Advanced training in normal and abnormal cardiac electrophysiology and mechanisms of arrhythmias

After 6 months
After 6 months

Proficiency in the performance and interpretation of noninvasive diagnostic clinical procedures such as ambulatory
ECG monitoring, signal-averaged electrocardiography, tilt table testing, heart rate variability, and other tests of the
autonomic nervous system
Acquire knowledge of basic and clinical pharmacology of antiarrhythmic agents and proficiency in their use

After 6 months

After 6 months

Acquisition of skills and experience for managing inpatients and outpatients with complex cardiac arrhythmias,
including programming and follow-up management of all types of bradycardia pacing systems
Ability to function as the primary operator who interrogates, interprets, prescribes, and reprograms in at least 100
patients
Acquire advanced expertise in temporary pacing

After 6 months

After 6 months

Acquire advanced expertise in transesophageal atrial pacing

After 6 months

After 6 months

Acquire advanced expertise in cardioversion

After 6 months

Acquire advanced expertise in invasive electrophysiologic study data

After 6 months

Acquire advanced expertise in complex arrhythmia ECG interpretation

After 6 months

Significant exposure to invasive electrophysiology, implantable cardioverter defibrillators and the surgical aspects if
arrhythmia control device implantation

After 6 months

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CCEP Timeline for Competency Assessment

Level 31 CCEP Fellowship Training
EPS1,2
Technical Skills
Description

Time Frame

Operational skills to perform right and left heart catheterization and arterial access percutaneous techniques via
femoral and other venous and arterial access sites
Manual dexterity to safely place and manipulate electrode catheters in the appropriate chambers for the arrhythmia
under study
Ability to obtain appropriate recordings from various locations
Ability to safely perform programmed electrical stimulation
Ability to recognize and manage procedural complications (e.g. vascular or cardiac perforation)
Proficiency in the use of external defibrillation and intravenous cardiac medications
Proficiency in the appropriate use of sedation during procedures, including airway management
Proficiency in the testing, interrogation, and programming of implantable antiarrhythmic devices, including
pacemakers and defibrillators
Technical knowledge regarding the use of recording equipment, including knowledge of electrical safety and
pertinent radiation-related issues
Each trainee should be a primary operator and analyze 100-150 diagnostic studies, at least 50 of the studies
should involve patients with supraventricular arrhythmias
Trainee should be the primary operator during > 50 electrophysiological evaluations of implantable antiarrhythmic
devices
Experience with at least 10 transseptal catheterization procedures

Cognitive Skills
Description

6 months
6 months
1 year
3 months
3 months
1 year
1 year
1 year
After 2 years
After 2 years
1 year

Time Frame

Thorough understanding of the basic electrophysiological mechanisms and clinical manifestations of arrhythmias
Knowledge of applications and limitations of the available recording and stimulations technologies
Knowledge of current indications for an EPS
Knowledge of contraindications for an EPS (Absolute contraindications include unstable ischemia, bacteremia or
septicemia, acute decompensated heart failure not caused by the arrhythmia, major bleeding diathesis, and lower
extremity venous thrombosis, if femoral vein cannulization is desired)
Knowledge of potential complications and management of such complications
Knowledge of normal and abnormal cardiac anatomy and electrophysiology
Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the normal AV conduction system and accessory pathways
Understanding of the intracardiac electrocardiographic signals
Knowledge of the various methods of programmed electrical stimulation
Ability to measure conduction intervals and refractory periods and knowledge of their significance in normal
pathological states
Knowledge of the predictive value of electrophysiological testing in patients with various arrhythmias and clinical
syndromes
Knowledge of pharmacological effects of medications used during the studies
Ability to interpret data derived from electrophysiological testing
Knowledge of the indications for and complications of therapy with antiarrhythmic devices
Knowledge of the pharmacology of antiarrhythmic drugs and of sympathetic and parasympathetic agonists and
antagonists
Knowledge of the indications for and complications of (risks, benefits and applications) ablative therapy
Detailed knowledge of recent clinical trials that affect the selection of patients for EPS
Familiarity with a diverse patient population who manifest a broad variety of arrhythmias

CCEP Core Curriculum & Policies

1 month

Page 21

1 year
1 year
6 months
6 months

1 year
6 months
6 months
1 year
6 months
3 months
6 months
3 months
6 months
6 months
1 year
1 year
1 year
1 year

Revised: 02/15/2005
Approved: 04/19/2005

CCEP Timeline for Competency Assessment

Catheter Ablation1,2
Skills
Description

Time Frame

Participation in a minimum of 75 catheter ablations, including ablation and modification of the atrioventricular (AV)
node, AV accessory pathways, atrial flutter, AV junction, and atrial and ventricular tachycardia
Primary operator in 15 accessory pathway ablations
Primary operator of > 10 transspetal catheterizations
Proficiency in managing the bradyarrhythmia and AV heart block.
Knowledge of complications which may occur during catheter ablation, including valvular disruption, coronary
occlusion, cerebrovascular accident and death
Knowledge of differentiating when to consider catheter ablation as a first-line therapy (e.g. a symptomatic patient
with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, or where medical therapy is intolerable, or evidence of adverse
consequences of the arrhythmia), and when to use other therapeutic controls (e.g. in patients with rhythm
disturbances that are likely to spontaneously resolve atrial tachycardia, or unlikely to recur a first episode of
atrial flutter)
Ability to differentiate when AV node reentry is a benign arrhythmia or when catheter ablation is indicated (e.g. in
patients with other compounding heart disease, such as coronary artery disease, or if the arrhythmia produces
hemodynamic compromise or intolerable side effects)
Knowledge of the use of catheter ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AV node ablation and pacemaker
implantation when medical therapy is not successful)
Knowledge of application of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia in ischemic disease,
bundle-branch reentry and idiopathic tachycardia
Knowledge of risks and benefits associated with radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia
Ability and dexterity to successfully manipulate catheters in all locations of the heart to achieve adequate contact
between the catheter and the myocardium to create curative lesions
Detailed knowledge of the cardiac anatomy
Ability to perform transseptal catheterization for treatment of left-sided substrates such as left atrial foci and leftsided accessory pathways
Knowledge of transseptal and retrograde aortic technique

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After 2 years
After 2 years
1 year
1 year
1 year
1 year

1 year

1 year
1 year
1 year
1 year
1 year
1 year
1 year

Revised: 02/15/2005
Approved: 04/19/2005

CCEP Timeline for Competency Assessment

Device Implantation1,2
Skills Tranvenous bradycardia device implantation (pacemaker)
Description

Time Frame

Developing expertise in permanent atrial and ventricular lead placement

Developing expertise in threshold testing and programming of devices
Knowledge of principles of surgical asepsis
Knowledge of surgical techniques of implantation and management of implant-related complications
Must participate as the primary operator under direct supervision in at least 50 primary implantations, with at least
half involving dual chamber pacemakers
Must participate as the primary operator under direct supervision in at least 20 pacemaker system revisions or
replacements
Must participate in the follow-up of at least 100 pacemaker patient visits
Acquire proficiency in advanced pacemaker electrocardiography, interrogation and programming of complex
pacemakers

6 months
3 months
3 months
1 year
1 year
1 year
1 year
1 year

Skills Transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator systems

Description

Time Frame

Participate as the primary operator under the direct supervision in at least 20 system implantations
Must participate in the surgical replacement or revision of at least 10 systems
Must participate in the follow-up of at least 50 patient visits

1 year
1 year
1 year

CCEP Core Curriculum & Policies

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CCEP Timeline for Competency Assessment

External DC Cardioversion2
Technical Skills
Description

Time Frame

Proper operation of the skin and electrode placement, including the application of saline jelly
Achievement of artifact-free monitored strip and synchronization signal/marker
Technically acceptable 12-lead electrocardiograms before and after DCCV
Temporary pacing and defibrillation capabilities
Ability to perform advanced cardiovascular life support, including proper airway management

3 months
1 month
1 month
3 months
1 month

External DC Cardioversion2
Cognitive Skills
Description

Time Frame

Knowledge of electrophysiological principles of DCCV

Knowledge of indications for the procedures
Knowledge of anticoagulation management
Knowledge of the proper use and administration of antiarrhythmic therapy

3 months
3 months
1 year
1 year

CCEP Core Curriculum & Policies

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Revised: 02/15/2005
Approved: 04/19/2005