The Action Potential of an Applicant: A Seven-Year Study of Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship Match Outcomes (2019-2025)
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Background
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology (CCEP) is a critical subspecialty; however, comprehensive information on fellowship match data remains limited. This study analyzes the CCEP fellowship match from 2019 to 2025 to provide insight into applicant trends, academic backgrounds, and match outcomes.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the National Resident Matching Program from 2019 to 2025. The analyzed variables included applicant volume, available positions and programs, match rates, and applicants’ academic backgrounds. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square, and Pearson correlation with p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Over the study period, data were collected from 980 applicants and 953 available positions, of which 867 were filled (91% match rate). The academic backgrounds of matched applicants were 48% U.S. MD, 29% Non-U.S. IMG, and 13% U.S. IMG. Most applicants (77%) matched within their top three program choices. Significant trend changes included a 99% increase in applicants (p<.001) and a 93% decrease in unfilled programs (p<.001). Unfilled positions showed strong negative correlations with being among applicants’ top three choices (r=-0.952, p<.001) and with having a higher number of U.S. MD applicants (r=-0.885, p=0.008). Matching into a first-choice program was significantly correlated with being a U.S. IMG (r=0.809, p=0.028) or a Non-U.S. IMG (r=0.871, p=0.011).
Conclusion
The CCEP fellowship match has increased in applicant volume and improved match rates over time. Successful matches are linked to popularity among applicants, particularly U.S. MDs, while IMGs show a positive correlation with matching into their first-choice programs.
