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Joseph Akar, MD, PhD

Professor of Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine); Director, Cardiac Electrophysiology Program, Internal Medicine; Director, Complex Ablation Program

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Joseph Akar, MD, PhD

Patient Care Locations

Appointments

Biography

I am the Chief of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Professor at the Yale School of Medicine. I completed Internal Medicine residency at the Yale New Haven Hospital, followed by fellowships in Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of Virginia, where I also obtained a PhD in Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics. Subsequently I joined Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago where I was on faculty for 5 years before returning to Yale to establish and direct the Complex Ablation Program.

I specialize in catheter ablation of complex arrhythmias such as refractory persistent atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and arrhythmias related to heart failure and valve disease. I have expertise in performing ablation without fluoroscopy in order to reduce patient exposure to radiation. I implant a wide range of cardiac devices, and I have a particular interest in device remote monitoring. I have published extensively in these areas and am a member of multiple guideline committees. I have received research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the American College of Cardiology, and the Food and Drug Administration.

Education & Training

  • Fellow
    University of Virginia (2004)
  • PhD
    University of Virginia (2004)
  • Fellow
    University of Virginia (2002)
  • Resident
    Yale-New Haven Hospital (1998)
  • MD
    University of Pittsburgh (1995)

Departments & Organizations