Heart failure/transplantation

The MHI Heart Failure Clinic actively follows approximately 300 patients with heart failure due to a variety of causes - ischemic, valvular, idiopathic and heart failure with intact systolic function. The team is composed of six cardiologists, four nurses - including a specialized nurse-clinician - a dietician and a secretary. In addition, various caregivers are called upon to work as part of the team when necessary (clinical pharmacist, social worker and psychiatrist). The team is very active in research and works in collaboration with the MHI transplant team.

The MHI's heart transplant team is made up of three cardiologists, six surgeons, three nurses, a social worker and a psychiatrist. Some 15 to 20 heart transplants are performed every year. The team follows roughly 200 post-transplant patients and assesses some 70 new candidates per year. In addition, the team follow pediatric transplant patients transferred from pediatric hospitals once the patient reaches adult age. The transplant team also runs a very active research program.

A one- or two-year fellowship in heart failure and transplantation is offered to cardiologists from Quebec, Canada and abroad. The candidate is integrated into the clinical teams and takes part in heart failure clinics, pre-transplant assessments, follow-up on hospitalized patients and post-transplant follow-up, if desired. Candidates interested in advanced training in post-transplant follow-up are given a chance to learn the technique of endomyocardial biopsy. Participation in the research projects is an integral part of training and the candidate is strongly urged to initiate his or her own research project leading to publication. The candidate is also expected to be available for on-call duty in general cardiology at the hospital.

To obtain funding, candidates are advised to apply for grants from recognized agencies. The Department of medicine at the MHI offers scholarships; however, a limited number of scholarships are available and they are awarded on a competitive basis. 

Eligibility

• Candidates who have previously completed cardiology training.
• Successfully completed USMLE step 2 or LMCC examination (exemptions from these examinations are possible if candidates are recommended by the dean of the faculty of medicine where specialty training was completed).
• See "Eligibility requirements" section for more details.