Overview
The Section of Cardiology is responsible for the Coronary Care Unit and Inpatient Consultative Services related to cardiovascular disease at the University of Illinois Hospital and the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center - West Side. The section also maintains an off-site presence in offics in suburban Arlington Heights and Deerfield. The entire range of cardiovascular medicine, including primary and tertiary services, is provided.
Research activities include studies in heart failure, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, electron beam tomography, coronary calcification, and new technologies in non-invasive imaging. Additionally, the Section works closely with the Department of Physiology on various projects related to cardiocyte biology and translational research.
The Cardiology Fellowship Program provides training in electrocardiography, exercise testing, echocardiography with doppler, ultrasound, nuclear imaging, diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization, and diagnostic and interventional electrophysiology. The Section manages an electron beam scanner with unique capabilities, including the early detection and screening of coronary artery disease. The Cardiology Fellowship Program is three years in duration. Conferences include: Cardiology Grand Rounds, Cardiac Catheterization Conference, Core Curriculum in Cardiovascular Diseases, a journal club, and research rounds. Additionally, a morning report is conducted daily where interesting or controversial clincal cases and topics are discussed.
The section has fourth year positions available in intervential cardiology and heart failure. There is also an NIH sponsored training grant available to support trainees with interests in basic and translational research.
The University of Illinois Section of Cardiology also houses a Cardiovascular Teaching Center, the focal point of which is "Harvey", a cardiovascular patient simulator able to recreate 27 different cardiovascular diseases. Various laser disc programs, CD/ROM programs, and a heart sound simulator are available. This teaching center is unique and unparalleled in the Midwest.