Attention Interventional Cardiologists: Maintenance of Certification Procedural Requirements Announced

The procedural requirements for Maintenance of Certification in interventional cardiology have been established. Candidates must complete a Form Attesting Interventional Cardiology Practice to document performance as the primary operator, co-operator or supervisor of 150 percutaneous coronary interventional (PCI) cases in the two years prior to expiration of a certificate. For those whose certificates expire on December 31, 2009, the documentation period should start no earlier than July 1, 2007, and end no later than October 1, 2009. Additionally, participants will be asked to verify participation in PCI quality improvement projects.

In exceptional cases, a candidate who is unable to meet the volume requirement may complete a procedural log of 25 consecutive PCI cases, including outcomes, in which he or she has served as the primary operator during the two-year documentation period. Please note that regardless of how many manipulations are performed in any one case, each case may count as only one procedure.

All diplomates certified in interventional cardiology will receive an e-mail in April with additional information and details. In January 2009, the documentation form will be mailed only to those in the final year of their certificate who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification. When completed, the form must be signed and returned to ABIM by the director of the catheterization laboratory, the chief of interventional cardiology or the chief of cardiology. If you have questions, please call ABIM’s Contact Center at 1-800-441-ABIM, ext. 4126.