Research Rotation

During the first year of fellowship, you will be strongly encouraged to identify a mentor, write a mini-proposal and obtain preliminary data. During the second year of fellowship, the emphasis of your training will shift to research. You will continue clinical activity, but you will also analyze data and write and publish the results.

The research rotation is designed to provide you with training in the scientific method as it applies to cardiac electrophysiologic research. This rotation will also help to highlight the translation of research data to the practice of cardiac electrophysiology. Through your work, you will learn to:

• Identify relevant research questions
• Formulate testable hypotheses
• Prepare a competitive research proposal
• Interpret data
• Communicate results and conclusions in written and oral format
• Hone your critical thinking/review skills

Each CCEP resident will participate in conferences designed to enhance their understanding of cardiac electrophysiologic research. These include a formal lecture series on cardiovascular electrophysiology, journal clubs, weekly basic and clinical research cardiology grand rounds presentations, basic science research seminars at Rammelkamp Center for Education and Research, and special CCEP resident sessions designed to train CCEP residents on the process of formulating hypotheses and conveying research in written and oral format.

While you conduct your research project, you will follow these steps:

• Meet with CCEP Program Director and Chief of Cardiology to outline the timeline for research
• Identify a mentor and a project
• Submit a research proposal to the Director of Heart and Vascular Research
• Present proposed research at the electrophysiology conference and cardiology grand rounds
• Modify protocol based on the above
• Obtain final approval of the protocol by the Director of Heart and Vascular Research
• Present progress quarterly at the electrophysiology conference

During your rotation, you will be able to utilize the start-of-the-art clinical electrophysiologic laboratories at MetroHealth Medical Center and core laboratories of Rammelkamp Center for Education and Research.  These facilities include a fully equipped animal electrophysiologic laboratory, whole-cell and patch-clamp apparatus, confocal and fluorescent microscopy, optical mapping with fluorescent indicators, and standard molecular and biochemical laboratory equipment.

There is a broad range of active research programs available, reflecting our institution’s cell-to-bedside approach in electrophysiology. In addition, the academic environment is greatly enhanced by ongoing research programs in the department in areas of molecular biology of ion channels, ion channel physiology, cell biology and whole animal research. 

The electrophysiology faculty members have played a primary role in several multi-center trials. The faculty is also involved in basic electrophysiologic research. Major areas of interest include:

• Mechanisms of cardiac repolarization
• Autonomic control of the heart
• Electrical stimulation of autonomic nerves
• Mechanisms of antiarrhythmic drug action
• Genotyping of long QT syndrome
• Genotyping of atrial fibrillation
• Mechanisms of atrial and ventricular defibrillation
• Electrophysiology of heart failure
• Ion channel heterogeneity of the heart

Prediction and prevention of sudden cardiac death by risk stratification by electrocardiogram and electrogram signal processing, including T wave alternans and heart rate/QT variability

In addition to primary faculty within the electrophysiologic section, you will interact with other faculty whose principal research focus is in cardiac electrophysiology.

Your designated research mentor will provide you with close supervision. Along with the quarterly formal presentation of research progress, you will meet with the Director of Heart and Vascular Research at regular intervals. Also, you will be expected to submit their research for presentation at national meetings and for publication in a peer reviewed journal.