During March 2024, I had the privilege of completing a four-week rotation in interventional cardiology under the guidance of Dr. Usman Khan, an experience that profoundly enhanced my clinical knowledge and skills. Throughout this observership, I worked closely with Dr. Khan, who is not only an expert in his field but also highly dedicated to teaching and mentoring.
The program offered comprehensive exposure to a wide range of interventional procedures, including coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), VenaSeal, Varithena, venous ultrasound, and radiofrequency thermal ablation. Additionally, it covered the interpretation of complex cardiovascular tests such as nuclear stress tests, echocardiograms, and electrocardiograms (EKGs). Dr. Khan actively involved us in learning new clinical practices and encouraged me to deliver presentations on topics like the sensitivity and specificity of various stress tests, American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines on anti-anginal drugs, doppler ultrasound waveforms and their clinical significance, and immunizations for patients with chronic coronary disease.
The observership provided a dual setting experience, encompassing both hospital and clinic environments. Dr. Khan generously included me in his hospital rounds, where I observed various procedures, such as cardioversion, bubble studies, orbital atherectomy for peripheral artery disease (PAD), and transesophageal echocardiography. I gained valuable insights into the meticulous approaches and advanced techniques used in patient care, significantly deepening my understanding of interventional cardiology. Dr. Khan also facilitated opportunities to observe innovative procedures, such as Micra implantation and atrial flutter ablation. Moreover, he provided comprehensive training on the electronic medical records (EMR) system, ensuring my proficiency in its use.
I highly recommend this observership program for its well-rounded exposure to both hospital and clinical settings.
Muhammad Ali
Riphah International University
Medical school: Islamic International Medical College, Riphah International University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan