Subspecialty Careers: Highlights about Careers in Internal Medicine: Interventional Cardiology
The Discipline
From the Latin word intervenire, "to come between,"
Interventional Cardiology is the branch of Cardiology responsible
for catheter-based interventions in the management of ischemic
heart disease, congenital heart disease, and acquired valvular
disease.
Procedures
Important procedural skills include coronary artery
catheterization, angioplasty, intra-coronary thombolysis,
valvuloplasty, coronary artery stent placement, and intra-aortic
balloon counterpulsation.
Training
Interventional Cardiology fellowship training requires 12 months of
accredited training beyond three years of general cardiology
training.
Training Positions
For the 2010-2011 academic year, there are 135 ACGME-accredited
training programs in Interventional Cardiology with 297 active
positions. Only eight percent are female and 45% are U.S. medical
graduates.
Certification
The American Board of Internal Medicine offers certification in
Interventional Cardiology.
Major Professional Societies
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and
Interventions
2400 N. Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037-1153
1-800-992-7224
Major Publications