Advanced Fellowship in Cardiovascular Imaging

The Advanced Fellowship in Cardiovascular Imaging is a one-year training opportunity funded by the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center and approved by the UF Graduate Medical Education Committee. The program is open to Cardiology fellows and Radiology residents after completion of their respective general training.

Clinical imaging techniques include MRI, SPECT, PET, CT, and echo. Myocardial viability testing is done with MRI, FDG PET, or thallium SPECT. CT coronary angiography is performed on a 320-detector CT scanner capable of low-radiation dose prospective scanning and will soon have the capacity for dual-energy scans permitting novel imaging techniques such as myocardial perfusion. MR protocols are in regular use for infiltrative diseases, viability, and valve assessment. We offer trainees the opportunity to gain experience supervising the use of body MR protocols in patients with certain implanted cardiac devices (pacemakers and defibrillators). Ischemia testing is done with technetium SPECT and Rubidium PET with coronary flow reserve.

Fellows are expected to participate in the daily leadership of the nuclear lab. The core training consists of 6 months of nuclear cardiology (predominantly Rb-82 PET with coronary flow reserve). The remaining 6 months of training can be applied to cardiac CT, MRI, and echocardiography. These months of imaging experience are added to training during cardiology fellowship/radiology residency and can be tailored to the career goals of the fellow. A typical fellow will achieve COCATS 3 in nuclear cardiology and potentially COCATS 3 in one other modality, depending on the prior training and fellows’ goals. The fellowship does not have any clinic or on-call duties. Additional scholarly expectations include quality improvement activity and providing didactic training for residents and fellows. For additional information please contact Dr. Anita Wokhlu (anita.wokhlu@medicine.ufl.edu).