Comprehensive heart failure + transplant cardiology fellowship in Boston

Fellows in the Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology Fellowship at Tufts Medical Center and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center gain comprehensive training in both inpatient and outpatient care. Our curriculum is designed to ensure fellows meet ACGME requirements and align with COCATS guidelines for heart failure training.

We take particular pride in the high-volume experience we offer in transplant, cardiogenic shock and mechanical circulatory support management. By the end of the program, each fellow will be prepared to evaluate and manage people with heart failure, heart transplants and mechanical circulatory support in any care setting.

As fellows progress through the year, they take on increasing responsibility and develop hands-on expertise in the procedures and clinical decision-making that define this complex specialty.

Inpatient training experience

During the inpatient rotation, fellows will:

• Learn how to evaluate and diagnose dilated cardiomyopathy, including when to perform an endomyocardial biopsy
• Manage acute heart failure using oral and IV therapies, including diuretics, beta-blockers, inotropes, and vasodilators
• Understand the indications for temporary and durable mechanical support, including intra-aortic balloon pumps and ventricular assist devices (VADs)
• Work closely with surgical teams to evaluate patients who may need revascularization or advanced device therapy
• Participate in transplant evaluations and post-transplant care, including hemodynamic monitoring and immunosuppressive management
• Become familiar with complications such as rejection, infection, and graft vasculopathy
• Gain extensive procedural experience with endomyocardial biopsies
• Manage patients with mechanical circulatory support, from selection to long-term care

Outpatient training experience

Fellows attend weekly heart failure and transplant clinics, where they care for people with:

• Chronic heart failure
• Left ventricular assist devices
• Pre-transplant evaluations
• Post-transplant follow-up

During the outpatient experience, fellows will:

• Master the outpatient evaluation of heart failure, including symptom assessment, physical exam and medication management
• Provide education and support for lifestyle changes and self-care
• Understand when to refer for transplant and what makes someone a transplant candidate
• Participate in transplant selection committee meetings and weekly care discussions
• Adjust immunosuppressive therapy based on biopsy results and clinical status
• Manage outpatient complications of transplant care, including hypertension, diabetes and infections
• Join monthly meetings with the New England Consortium of Cardiac Transplantation for broader regional insight

What research opportunities are available?

Fellows are encouraged to take part in research throughout the year. Opportunities include basic, translational and clinical research in heart failure and transplant cardiology. Most fellows join active clinical trials during their training.

Tufts Medical Center’s Molecular Cardiology Research Institute and Division of Cardiology offer mentorship and support to design a research experience that aligns with each fellow’s interests and career goals.