Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

 

 

The Section of Interventional Cardiology at the University of Louisville is composed of three core interventional faculty which includes Sohail Ikram, M.D., Director of Interventional Cardiology; Venkata Yalamanchili, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, and Rita Coram, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine and Director of the Women’s Cardiovascular Health Program.  In addition, the fellows rotate with six gratis faculty members in a busy private practice setting.

 

            The fellows participate in coronary intervention at four hospitals which include University of Louisville Hospital, VA Hospital, Jewish Hospital and Norton Hospital.  A new rotation as of this year involves participating in the performance of interventional procedures under the supervision of interventional physicians from three local private practice groups.  The training in interventional cardiology at the University of Louisville program is diverse in the sense that fellows are exposed to a variety of experiences including coronary intervention, peripheral intervention, physiological lesion assessment and intravascular ultrasound.  Each fellow performs approximately 350 procedures a year under the direct supervision of an interventional attending.  In addition, each fellow performs approximately 50 interventional peripheral procedures which include renal intervention, carotid intervention and upper and lower extremity intervention. 

 

            Each fellow is required to participate in research projects and submit two manuscripts during their training.  There are a number of research studies going on which are both multicentered research studies and investigator-originated studies.  Among those, we have a number of investigator-originated studies which include physiological assessment of renal artery stenosis, intravascular ultrasound assessment of bifurcation lesions, and the effect of adenosine on no-reflow phenomenon.  In addition, we are participating in a number of multicentered interventional research studies which include the FAME study, comparing the role of fractional flow reserve versus conventional stenting of multivessel disease, and the CORAL study which is addressing the role of renal artery stenting versus medical therapy in patients with renal artery stenosis.  Within the Cath Lab there are a number of other studies involving acute coronary syndrome and acute MI.  The physiological assessment of lesions using FFR and IVUS is the main focus of the program and fellows are exposed to a wide variety of cases by which they will be fully acquainted with intravascular ultrasound and coronary physiology by the end of their training. 

 

            There is a weekly Interventional Cardiology/Cardiothoracic Surgery Conference at the Jewish Hospital Rudd Heart and Lung Institute.  It is expected that each fellow present topics in interventional cardiology and a wide variety of discussions occur during the meeting with interventional cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery faculty. 

 

            In conclusion, the program in interventional cardiology at the University of Louisville is a well versed program which covers all areas of interventional cardiology and peripheral vascular interventions needed to provide excellent training to the fellows to prepare them for a bright future in both academic cardiology and private practice.

 

           

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The program accepts applications using ERAS.  To apply for the 2010-2011 academic year, please complete the ERAS application.  Other requirements include a copy of medical school transcripts, USMLE scores, a curriculum vitae and a personal statement.  Applications must be supported by an objective letter of reference from your current Cath Lab Director, Cardiovascular Program Director, and a research mentor.

 

This university accepts the J-1 visa.  It does not accept the H-1B visa.  The deadline to submit an application through ERAS for the 2010-2011 academic year is April 15, 2009.

 

Completed applications are reviewed and selected applicants are invited for formal interviews via email.  The program is accredited for two fellows. 

 

 

Program Director:                Sohail Ikram, M.D.

                                                            University of Louisville

                                                            Interventional Cardiology

                                                            550 S. Jackson St, ACB-3^rd Floor

                                                            Louisville, KY   40292

                       

            Program Coordinator:         Connie Cummins

                                                            cjcumm02@louisville.edu

                                                            Tel. (502) 852-4379

                                                            Fax (502) 852-7147