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Postgraduate in Cardiac
Electrophysiology
and Pacing
the Postgraduate Course
This Postgraduate in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing - is offered within the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy - after a
specialization in Cardiology, and is supported by the Institute for Postgraduate Training of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
(iPAVUB).
Members
The Training Committee is composed of the following members of the UZ Brussel and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Prof. Pedro Brugada, Chairman Postgraduate in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, UZ Brussel,
Dr. Gian Battista Chierchia, Director Atrial Fibrillation and Pacing Program, UZ Brussel,
Prof. Jan Cornelis, Vice-Rector Research Vrije Universiteit Brussel,
Prof. Yvette Michotte, Dean Medical and Pharmacy Faculties Vrije Universiteit Brussel,
Prof. Marc Noppen, CEO UZ Brussel,
Dr. Andrea Sarkozy, Director Clinical Electrophysiology Laboratory, UZ Brussel,
Prof. Danny Schoors, Head of the Department of Cardiology, UZ Brussel,
Prof. Rosette S’Jegers, Vice-Rector Education Vrije Universiteit Brussel,
Prof. Ben Van Camp, Rector Vrije Universiteit Brussel,
Prof. Guy Van Camp, Head of the Non-Invasive Cardiology Unit, UZ Brussel.
Teachers
Prof. Dr. Pedro Brugada, Dr. Gian Battista Chierchia, Prof. Danny Schoors, Dr. Andrea Sarkozy, Prof. Guy Van Camp,
UZ Brussel.
A broad spectrum of international speakers visits the Cardiology Department at the UZ Brussel for the purpose of this
postgraduate training.
The Fellows are actively engaged in the “Meet the Masters” international program for Electro-physiology Fellows
directed by Professor Pedro Brugada.
Fellows
Potential Fellows can come from any country and must comply with the following rules:
• Certification as specialist in Cardiology in the country of origin with recognition of that certificate by the Belgian
Health Authorities before the start of the training.
•Letter of recommendation from the Chief of Cardiology and the Chief of Medicine of the Institution where the
certification in Cardiology-Internal Medicine was obtained in the country of origin.
• Proof of financial support from the Institutions in the country of origin.
• Fluency in the English language.
CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY AND PACING
During the past few decades, major advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of
cardiac diseases. New technologies and medications have been developed with great success.
Unfortunately, and in spite of all this progress, heart disease remains the number one killer in
developed countries. One out of three individuals still dies from a heart problem, far more than
from cancer, traumatic deaths and AIDS.
There are three major categories of heart disease:
• Diseases that affect the coronary arteries and thereby diminish the blood flow and the oxygen
supply to the heart (coronary artery disease with angina pectoris and myocardial infarction),
• Diseases affecting the mechanical function of the heart (heart failure),
• Diseases affecting the electrical system of the heart (cardiac arrhythmias).
These three different categories interact with each other and frequently coexist. For instance, an
acute myocardial infarction caused by an acute obstruction of a coronary artery can cause acute
heart failure and acute arrhythmias that may lead to cardiogenic shock or sudden cardiac death.
Cardiac arrhythmias can also cause heart failure and heart failure can cause arrhythmias.
The interactions between the three are very complex. Ultimately the causes of cardiac death are
equally divided between death from heart failure and arrhythmic death. While death from heart
failure is usually predictable and protracted by treatment, arrhythmic death is unpredictable,
sudden and unexpected, thereby very difficult to reverse.
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing have become subspecialties within the
Cardiology area because of their complexity and the very special skills required for
the early recognition and appropriate treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and other
electrical problems of the heart that can cause sudden arrhythmic death.
The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) gives a certification in Clinical Electrophysiology and in Cardiac Pacing after passing a voluntary examination, but there is no
formal practical or long-lasting theoretical training for this certification.
The Postgraduate Training in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing is offered at the
UZ Brussel and Vrije Universiteit Brussel under the direction of Prof. Dr. Pedro Brugada, Head
of the Heart Rhythm Management Centre at Brussels, Course Director of the Heart Rhythm
Management Fellows Development Program in Europe and Asian-Pacific and Vice-Chairman
of the Certification Committee on Electrophysiology of the EHRA.
This practical and theoretical postgraduate training fills the gap in education that is required
for the good practice of Clinical Electrophysiology and Pacing and prepares the Fellows for a
successful certification. Prof. Brugada has trained Fellows in Cardiac Electrophysiology and
Pacing for almost 30 years, helping them to obtain very important cardiology positions in
centres all over the world.
Program
Fellows are expected to be involved 100 % in the activities of the Heart Rhythm Management Centre. This is a full-time engagement in Clinical
and Basic Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing according to a program that will be designed individually. The minimum training period is
one academic year (200 effective training days, congress participation, publications and seminars).
Hands-on training and clinical practice
Research
Self-study
Congress participation and publications
Interdisciplinary seminars Physiology and Electrophysiology
Weekly seminars Heart Rhythm Management Centre
ECTS-CR*
20 CR
20 CR
10 CR
4 CR
3 CR
3 CR
60 CR
HOURS
600 hrs
600 hrs
300 hrs
120 hrs
90 hrs
90 hrs
1800 hrs
*ECTS-CR: European Credit Transfer System-Credits
Certificate
At the end of the postgraduate course a certificate for a ‘Postgraduate in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing’, signed by the Rector
of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, will be handed out by the institute for Postgraduate Training of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (iPAVUB).
Grants
Candidates are encouraged to apply for the Fellowship grants of the EHRA with specific mention of our training site
(UZ Brussel - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Heart Rhythm Management Centre, Prof. Dr. Pedro Brugada) at
http://www.escardio.org/bodies/associations/EHRA/EHRA-Training-Fellowships/
Contact
Heart Rhythm Management Centre
Prof. Dr. Pedro BRUGADA
Mrs. Kristien VAN CAELENBERG
UZ Brussel, Dpt. Cardiology
Ave. Laarbeeklaan 101
1090 Brussels, Belgium
[email protected]
Tel: 00 32 2 476 35 09
www.vub.ac.be/iPAVUB
“Nihil sine nixu”
(Nothing without effort)
The Heart Rhythm Management Centre started its activities at the University Hospital UZ Brussel during spring 2007. In less than six months,
clinical activity has rocketed to the #1 position in Belgium, and has been paralleled by important scientific production.
Emerging fields of activity are multidisciplinary (clinical) and translational (research) programs in collaboration with the departments
of Genetics, Pediatrics, Neonatology, Geriatrics, Neurology, as well as a fundamental research program in Physiology.
The large scope of clinical activities, fueled by increasing patient demand in Belgium and elsewhere, together with the presence of a
state-of-the-art infrastructure and a research-stimulating multidisciplinary academic environment unique in Europe, as well as the intrinsic
qualities of Professor Dr. Pedro Brugada and his team, are a unique opportunity for the Vrije Universiteit Brussel to implement this academic
training program.
V.U. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Dienst Onderwijszaken, Grietje Goris, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel • Photo Sofie Silbermann
Added value