Cardiothoracic Imaging Fellowship
Imaging is performed using the department’s state-of-the-art equipment, including DR (direct radiography) digital systems; CT scanners including the Siemens Somatom Force, Flash, Edge, Definition AS+, Siemens NAEOTOM Alpha® , and GE Revolution; and MR scanners including Siemens Skyra, Aera, TimTrio 3T, Verio 3T, AvantoDOT 1.5T, Espree 1.5T, and GE MR750 3T.
The fellow benefits from being part of our active service in advanced MRA and CT vascular imaging as well as cardiac imaging, including cardiac MRI and coronary artery calcification detection by CT. In addition, the hospital’s excellent cardiology, pulmonology and CT surgery departments give the fellow exposure to a wide variety of cardiothoracic pathology. Our fellows have been extremely successful in pursuing highly competitive academic and private practice positions.Interested in applying?
Learn about program requirements and how to apply, and continue to the sections below to learn more about the program.
Leadership
Maya Galperin-Aizenberg, MD
Program Director
Contact us
Coordinator: Allison O’Callaghan
Department of Radiology/Thoracic Imaging Division Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
3400 Spruce Street/1 Silverstein
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Contact: Allison.O'Callaghan@pennmedicine.upenn.edu | 215-662-3036
Learn more
The curriculum is designed to enable the fellow to achieve the following goals and objectives:
- Master advanced interpretive skills in digital chest radiography, CT, and MR imaging of a wide spectrum of cardiopulmonary disorders
- Develop an in-depth understanding of pulmonary and cardiovascular anatomy, physiology, and disease states
- Learn the appropriate clinical applications of these cardiothoracic imaging modalities and their role in state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging algorithms
- Gain an understanding of the physical principles and technical features of the various cardiothoracic imaging methods
- Develop an understanding of image quality control issues, costs, as well as the benefits and risks to patients associated with the cardiopulmonary imaging methods
- Learn advanced diagnostic imaging techniques, including multislice CT, high-resolution CT, cardiac CT and MR, CT and MR angiography of the heart, aorta, and pulmonary arteries; PET/CT; and 3D image display and analysis
- Develop skill in the performance of transthoracic biopsy procedures in the chest, including indications, pre-biopsy evaluation and informed consent, post-biopsy care, and the management of potential complications
- Acquire good interpersonal and communication skills, including the dictation of accurate, concise reports free of major interpretive or grammatical errors
- Gain experience in becoming an effective consultant and teacher
- Be introduced to cardiopulmonary imaging research, at the clinical, translational or basic science level
- Develop fundamental academic skills, including the preparation of scientific abstracts, posters, lectures, papers and chapters
During the academic year, the cardiothoracic imaging fellow is exposed to the complete gamut of cardiothoracic imaging modalities. The fellow spends 9 of the 12 months of training in thoracic radiology, and 3 months in the cardiovascular imaging (CVI) section. On the CVI rotation, fellows interpret a wide variety of cardiovascular imaging examinations, including thoracic angiographic studies, coronary artery examinations and adult congenital heart exams.
Fellows are provided a minimum of one-half day of research to promote research productivity.