Clinical Fellowship

Overview

The Royal Papworth Hospital TAVI fellowship aims to provide interventional cardiologists who have already attained sufficient experience in coronary intervention training in TAVI and other structural heart disease interventions. The successful candidate will be fully competent in all aspects of the TAVI pathway including initial patient assessment, TAVI patient work‑up and valve implantation. This will include large‑bore access under ultrasound guidance, the use of closure devices, experience in peripheral intervention either for the management of complications or facilitation of transfemoral TAVI, use of embolic protection devices and implantation of both balloon‑expandable and self‑expanding TAVI systems.

At least 75% of the fellow’s time will be pure hands‑on TAVI and other structural heart disease intervention training with 15‑20% dedicated to pre‑ and post‑procedure patient reviews and the TAVI MDT. 5‑10% of time can be spent on TAVI CT training and research interests.

• Attendance to TAVI and structural heart disease (SHD) intervention clinics where new referrals and first post‑TAVI follow‑up patients are seen.
• Attendance to weekly TAVI and SHD multi‑disciplinary teams (MDTs).
• Review of in‑patient referrals for TAVI including presentation of such cases at weekly MDT.
• Post‑procedural ward rounds with an aim to facilitate discharge within 24‑48hrs.
• TAVI CT training provided on a weekly basis by the team of TAVI‑dedicated radiologists.

• Assist, train and become independent in TAVI implantation in both simple and complex anatomies.
• Use real‑time ultrasound‑guided arterial puncture for transfemoral access including micropuncture techniques.
• Competence in vessel closure with the Angio Seal and Pro Style systems.
• Use transradial and transfemoral secondary access for peripheral intervention including peripheral balloons and self‑expanding stents for the management of complications.
• Use intravascular lithotripsy to assist TAVI in difficult peripheral vascular anatomies.
• Full competency in the use of axillary TAVI devices.
• Significant experience in PFO, ASD, PVL and LAAO closure.
• Gain experience in transcatheter edge‑to‑edge repair, para valvular leak closure and other SHD procedures.

• MBBS, and FRCS/MRCS or equivalent.
• Appropriate knowledge base and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems.
• Demonstrates awareness of the basics of managing cardiac disease.
• Shows aptitude for practical skills such as manual dexterity and hand‑eye coordination.
• Shows aptitude for practical skills, e.g. hand‑eye coordination, dexterity, visual‑spatial awareness.
• Attendance at relevant courses, e.g. ATLS, basic surgical skills.

The Trust values difference and welcomes all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation. Providing they meet the minimum post criteria, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview.