MGH Radiology - Cardiovascular Imaging and Intervention Fellowship Program

Mass General Hospital - Department of Radiology - Vascular/Interventional Radiology Fellowship Program

PHILOSOPHY

The department of Cardiovascular Intervention's philosophy regarding training is consistent with the ACGME emphasis on graded responsibility and identification of and concentration on core competencies. We have a strong commitment to encouraging maximum hands-on participation of trainees performing complex procedures, rather than observation by the trainees.

ABOUT US

The Cardiovascular Imaging and Intervention Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, USA is a one-year program which is ACGME approved; after completion of the fellowship, individuals will be eligible to be examined for Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Vascular and Interventional Radiology. This program provides 10 months of training in all aspects of Cardiovascular Intervention, with 2 months of non-vascular interventions. A parallel 2-year track in Abdominal Imaging and Interventions leading to CAQ eligibility is also available, which offers 18 months of Abdominal Imaging and Intervention, and 6 months of Vascular Imaging and Interventions.

The Vascular Interventional track is an intensive experience in all facets of Cardiovascular Intervention. The section is responsible for performance of approximately 4000 procedures per year. This includes:

Diagnostic angiography including thoracic, abdominal peripheral and pulmonary arteries

Angioplasty and stenting of peripheral, renal and extra-cranial cerebral arteries

Diagnostic venography of the central and peripheral veins

Transvascular embolization for the control of hemorrhage from the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, tumors and trauma

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE)

Chemoembolization of hepatic neoplasms and the management of peripheral arteriovenous malformations

Catheter based venous interventions including angioplasty and stenting of the central veins

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS)

Dialysis interventions including hemodialysis catheter insertion and management

Dialysis access angioplasty and declotting (both lytic and mechanical), and venous access procedures (tunneled catheter insertion

Venous port insertion, (PICC lines), and lymphangiography (both diagnostic and thoracic duct obliteration)

Management of venous disease, including both RF and laser ablation of the saphenous veins, as well as local therapy of venous disease

Management of obliteration of post-catheterization pseudoaneurysms

MGH is a full service hospital with OB and Pediatrics, so that there is material available from those subspecialties as part of the program.

In addition, Cardiovascular Intervention is responsible for supervision and interpretation of all vascular imaging performed by the Department of Radiology, including:

CT/CTA and MR/MRA for thoracic, abdominal, visceral and peripheral arterial and venous disease

Ultrasound for both arterial and venous disease

There are 8 multi-detector row CTs providing imaging and 8 MR systems including 3T magnets. All imaging is interpreted via PACS, and multiple 3D workstations are available within the section for processing of images. There are over 10,000 imaging studies performed. Interested fellows may also participate in the activities of the Cardiac Imaging group, with exposure to CT and MR imaging of the heart and coronary arteries, as well as Cardiac Screening.