Dr Alessandra Pina
Higher Degree by Research Candidate
School of Medicine
College of Health
I graduated with in Medicine in 2017 and completed my advanced cardiology training in 2023 at the University of Milan-Bicocca (Italy), graduating with honours, and I subsequently worked as a cardiologist across both electrophysiology and general cardiology settings before moving to Australia in September 2024.
Since relocating in Australia, I've been involved in a Master's program that I am upgrading to a PhD. My research focus is atrial fibrillation, the role of education, integrated models of care, and digital health. In particular, I am coordinating two clinical trials in Adelaide on integrated care management (iCARE) and digital atrial fibrillation education (SMART-AF).
I am also collaborating on several research projects related to AF ablation, with experience spanning both clinical and pre-clinical (animal) models. I have additionally developed skills in study design and coordination, data analysis, and the conduct of systematic reviews and meta-analysis.
My research focuses on atrial fibrillation, its underlying substrate, integrated models of care, and the role of digital health in arrhythmia management.
I am currently coordinating and managing two registered clinical trials in Adelaide exploring the role of patient education and digital technologies in the management and follow-up of atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias.
I have also collaborated on several research projects related to AF ablation, including procedural techniques, outcomes, and mechanistic implications, with experience spanning both clinical and pre-clinical (animal model) studies.
Through my research program, I have additionally developed strong skills in study design, data analysis, and the conduct of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 - 2024 | Cardiologist | Azienda Ospedaliera di Desio e Vimercate |
| 2024 - ongoing | HDR Student | Adelaide University |
| 2024 - ongoing | Electrophysiology Fellow | Royal Adelaide Hospital |
| 2024 - 2026 | Cardiologist | Humanitas Gavazzeni |
| 2024 - 2024 | Cardiologist | Ospedale San Carlo |
| 2018 - 2023 | Cardiology Advanced Trainee | University of Milano-Bicocca |
| Language | Competency |
|---|---|
| English | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Italian | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Spanish; Castilian | Can read, write, speak and understand spoken |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 - 2023 | University of Milano-Bicocca | Italy | Specialization in Cardiology |
| 2011 - 2017 | University of Milano-Bicocca | Italy | Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery |
| Date | Title | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 - 2023 | Postgraduate advanced training in Cardiology | University of Milano-Bicocca | Italy |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Valappil, S. P., Chapman, D., Puvrez, A., Pina, A., Ariyaratnam, J. P., Elliott, A., . . . Wong, C. X. (2026). Characterization of a successful transseptal access with an electrified guidewire: An ex vivo ovine study. Heart Rhythm, S1547-5271(26)00118-9. Scopus1 |
| 2026 | Valappil, S. P., Mehrdad, E., Puvrez, A., Barbaro, D., Pina, A., Kakarla, S., . . . Wong, C. X. (2026). Transseptal access with an electrified guidewire and large pulsed field ablation sheath.. Europace, 28(4), 3 pages. |
| 2026 | Kakarla, S., Iwakawa, H., Ariyaratnam, J. P., Varzaly, J., Pina, A., Valappil, S. P., . . . Sanders, P. (2026). DURABILITY OF PULMONARY VEIN ISOLATION: DOES THE PULSED FIELD ABLATION SYSTEM MATTER?. Heart rhythm, S1547-5271(26)02385-4. |
| 2025 | Valappil, S. P., Chapman, D., Muenzinger, C., Puvrez, A., Ariyaratnam, J. P., Jayakumar, M., . . . Sanders, P. (2025). Left Bundle Area Pacing In Hypertrophied Hearts: An Ex-Vivo Ovine Model To Study Deployment Of Pacing Leads In Thick Septum. Heart Rhythm, 22(8), 2055-2064. Scopus3 WoS2 Europe PMC4 |
| 2025 | Abbas, M., Emami, M., Kamsani, S. H., Ariyaratnam, J. P., Wilson, L., Stolcman, S., . . . Sanders, P. (2025). Pulsed Field Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices. Heart Rhythm, 22(9), e594-e604. Scopus10 WoS7 Europe PMC5 |
My research is funded by a NMHRC scholarship
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