Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology recommendations for basic training in paediatric and congenital cardiology 2020

Abstract

The recommendations of the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology for basic training in paediatric and congenital cardiology required to be recognised as a paediatric cardiologist by the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology are described below. Those wishing to achieve more advanced training in particular areas of paediatric cardiology should consult the training recommendations of the different Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology Working Groups available on the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology website (www.aepc.org) and the respective publications 1–6. The development of training requirements is the responsibility of the Educational Committee and the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology Council in collaboration with the Working Groups of the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology. Trainees should be exposed to all aspects of general paediatric and congenital cardiology from fetal life to adolescence and adulthood. Centres performing generalised and specialised work in paediatric and congenital cardiology should be committed to deliver postgraduate training. At each training institute, trainers should be appointed to supervise and act as mentors to the trainees. Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology will provide basic teaching courses to supplement the training process.

Clinical Genetics of Inherited Arrhythmogenic Disease in the Pediatric Population

“…Phenotypes with an autosomal recessive (AR) and X-linked inheritance pattern occur, but they are a minority [ 23 ]. Four major IASs can be typically observed in pediatrics: long QT syndrome (LQTS), short QT syndrome (SQTS), Brugada syndrome (BrS) and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) [ 24 ].…”

Global leadership in paediatric and congenital cardiac care: “Humility in Leadership – an interview with Katarina Hanséus, MD, PhD, President of the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology (AEPC)”

“…The collaboration between the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology and Cardiology in the Young additionally allows an avenue to publish important guidelines and white papers. For example, over the past year, the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology has published within Cardiology in the Young guidelines related to basic training in paediatric and congenital cardiology, 7 training in diagnostic and interventional electrophysiology, 9 and a position paper on COVID-19 in paediatric and congenital cardiology, 10 as well as being involved in the White Paper describing the initiative of Heart University. 6 The journal therefore provides not only information that is medical and scientific, but also generally useful for our Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology members and the community of paediatric and congenital cardiac care as a whole.…”

“…Dr. Tretter: The Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology has published multiple position papers in Cardiology in the Young, covering multiple topics: 7,9,10,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] • basic training in paediatric and congenital cardiology 7 • ideal configuration of the modern theatre for paediatric cardiac catheterisation 17 • standards for training in paediatric echocardiography 18 • training in congenital cardiovascular MRI 19 • training in diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterisation 20 • training in paediatric cardiac intensive care 21 • indications for cardiovascular magnetic resonance in children with congenital and acquired heart disease 22,23 • multidisciplinary family-centred psychosocial care for patients with CHD 24 • clinical training in paediatric heart failure and transplantation 25 • training in pulmonary hypertension 26 • training in diagnostic and interventional electrophysiology 9,27 • coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) FAQ's in Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology 10…”

“…The Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology hosts an annual educational conference, which I will be bold to say is my favorite annual educational event. In addition, the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology published a statement paper within Cardiology in the Young this past year regarding recommendations for basic training in paediatric and congenital cardiology 7. So, clearly these missional statements are being pursued in full force.…”

Recommendations from the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology for training in diagnostic and interventional electrophysiology

“…The current Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology recommendations for general training in paediatric and congenital cardiology propose five modules during the 3 years of basic training: basic paediatric cardiology, imaging, haemodynamics and catheterisation, cardiac rhythm disorders, and paediatric intensive care. 5 The general paediatric cardiology electrophysiology training requirements described in this section are intended to be sufficient for fellows who do not plan a formal career in electrophysiology. Training is required for all trainees and is intended to ensure that each fellow acquires the knowledge base and skills necessary to become a paediatric cardiologist.…”