Program Highlights

Full breadth of CCEP experience

• Involvement in clinical trials of most of the upcoming left atrial appendage closure devices, ablation tools, etc.
• We use all three major mapping systems (ESI, Carto, Rhythmia)
• Exposure to advanced EP including epicardial access, LAA closure, laser lead extractions, etc.
• Our cardiology colleagues include the past presidents of the ACC, ASE, etc.
• Strong cardiac MRI and cardiac CT program
• Research opportunities, including an animal lab, many clinical and basic research protocols, post-doctoral fellow, multiple optical mapping systems, etc.
  
  

Structure of the program

Two CCEP fellows at a time (one first year, one second year). Others on the service include a rotating general cardiology fellow (most months) and nurse practitioner.

Clinical Skills

Didactic Schedule: Conferences

• Weekly Friday AM case conference
• EP tracings review
• Monthly journal club
• Thursday cardiology grand rounds
• Monthly research conference

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Houston Methodist is a 915-bed acute-care referral hospital with a historical emphasis on cardiovascular disease. The facilities include a 56-bed post-operative cardiovascular ICU and an 24-bed CICU, as well as state-of-the-art laboratories and procedural facilities. The cardiology procedure facilities include designated catheterization laboratories with stereotaxis and robotic technology, two cardiac MRI suites, and state-of-the-art echocardiography, nuclear cardiology and computed tomography (CT) laboratories.

In August 2018, Houston Methodist opened a new 22-story building named Walter Tower, with nearly 1 million square feet, to include sophisticated cardiovascular surgical suites specially designed for highly technical and minimally invasive image-guided heart procedures. The building features 14 heart catheterization labs with expanded space and MRI and CT conveniently located next to post-op rooms, and a helipad that will give emergency personnel direct access to the OR, cath lab and intensive care units.

Our facilities also include a state-of-the-art research institute that houses the Houston Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation & Education (MITIE), which is an educational resource for health care professionals and trainees who wish to improve their skills and acquire new ones through procedural simulation technology.

World-Renowned Faculty

The Houston Methodist Department of Cardiology is a world-renowned center for every aspect of cardiovascular care and research. The department's more than 40 full-time faculty have enormous expertise in every aspect of cardiac care, ranging from standard procedures such as outpatient consultation, echocardiography, angiography, electrophysiology testing, percutaneous coronary revascularization and heart transplantation, to advanced clinical research into heart failure, cardiac rehabilitation, preventive cardiology, radio-frequency ablation, laser revascularization and cardiac MRI.

Our faculty include past-presidents of the American College of Cardiology, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and American Society of Echocardiography. Many of them hold national and international recognition and are also leaders in establishing national guideline documents in Cardiology.