uh, yeah, i wouldn't recommend dropping your cardio spot, unless you just absolutely can't handle 4 years away from family (you know you can always return 😉. also, didn't you think about this when you ranked your spots? NEVER rank a place where you can't see yourself going. i mean, someone is probably ready to die b/c s/he didn't match, and here you are complaining that its too far. be strong and pick one thing. its a tough spot you put yourself into by ranking a place you don't like at all.
anyway, about nrmp violation. done that, been there. not pretty. i was not eligible for the match for one whole year after that fiasco (the length of the "ban" depends on what they think of you and your situation). i actually had switched from PMR into IM...i just stayed where i was doing my transitional year in IM...the other place was pissed off when i let them know MONTHS in advance (even though i had plenty of reasons besides not wanting to do PMR...family issues, not distance). anyway, they had to do a whole inquiry, i had to write a letter, my transitional year PD had to write a letter, my PMR program had to write a letter. yeah, it was painful. and still, nrmp decided to "ban" me from the match for a whole year (good thing i wasn't planning on going anywhere...just doing IM). so i am now applying for a fellowship this year instead of last year when i was a pgy2.
also, the cardiology world is SMALL compared to the IM world. if you drop your program, they will spread word like FIRE about you. so if you cannot, just cannot stand to move across the country, talk to them about your situation as in "dr. x, what do you think?" because maybe they will be somewhat understanding and not badmouth you. don't tell them "yeah, i'm leaving". also, look into a cardio program that's close to you to see if they would take you in 2 years from now. check out what your chances would be. your current cardio program will fill your spot in less time than you can say "lub dub".
so think twice.
