Subspecialty Fellowship Programs

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY

The University of British Columbia’s Cardiac Electrophysiology Program provides a comprehensive range of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, including electrophysiology studies, non-complex and complex catheter ablation, permanent transvenous and leadless pacemaker, biventricular pacemaker and ICD implantation, Subcutaneous ICD, arrhythmia device programming and troubleshooting, laser lead extractions and management for inherited arrhythmias. The program operates at two sites – Vancouver and Victoria – both of which offer unique and exceptional training opportunities in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology while providing state-of-the-art heart rhythm management to the population of British Columbia, which is approaching 5 million residents.

The Vancouver program is based at St. Paul’s and Vancouver General Hospitals, where the team performs approximately 1000 electrophysiology procedures each year, the majority of which are ablations, with more than half being complex. The team also implants around 550 ICDs (including 150 biventricular devices) and nearly 800 pacemakers annually.

The Vancouver Electrophysiologists include Drs. Jason Andrade, Matthew Bennett, Richard Bennett, Shanta Chakrabarti, Marc Deyell, Andrew Krahn, Zachary Laksman, Nathaniel Hawkins and John Yeung.

The Victoria program is operational at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, where the team performs approximately 850 electrophysiology catheter procedures each year, the majority of which are ablations, with more than half being complex. The team also performs nearly 350 ICD procedures each year, including biventricular devices.

The Victoria Electrophysiologists include Drs. Paul Novak, Larry Sterns, Rick Leather, Markus Sikkel, Martin van Zyl, and Mike Thibert.

Both sites employ 3D mapping systems, such as CARTO, Ensite, and Rhythmia, for complex ablations, including atrial fibrillation, complex atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, and complex congenital heart disease arrhythmias. Radiofrequency and cryoablations are performed at both locations.

The Fellowship program is designed to foster academic and research-based learning and to culminate in a Diploma in Cardiac Electrophysiology from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. We have a comprehensive 2-year fellowship program that emphasizes clinical training and research for successful applicants.

Dr. Andrew Krahn is the Program Director for the Vancouver site.

Drs Martin van Zyl and Mike Thibert are the Program Directors for the Victoria site.

For more information, please get in touch with Drs. Martin van Zyl & Mike Thibert (fellows@catrials.org) for the Victoria Program and Dr. Andrew Krahn (akrahn@mail.ubc.ca) for the Vancouver program .