Varun Malik
School of Medicine
College of Health
Dr. Malik is a cardiologist and electrophysiologist based in Adelaide, Australia. He is currently clinical senior lecturer at the University of Adelaide Dr. Malik received his medical degree from The University of Western Australia in Perth, Australia. He obtained Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Physicians in adult cardiology and proceeded to complete a Fellowship in cardiac electrophysiology and pacing at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia. Together with this, he obtained his PhD degree from the University of Adelaide, under the mentorship of Professor Prashanthan Sanders. He was visiting research faculty at UCLA (2023-2024 in Professor Kalyanam Shivkumar's lab at the UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Centre and The Neurocardiology Program of Excellence. His scientific work has been awarded several Australian and International awards including the Heart Rhythm Society’s Young Investigator Award (Clinical Research) and JACC Clinical Electrophysiology best author award for his paper entitled “Autonomic Afferent Dysregulation in Atrial Fibrillation.”His clinical interests include catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias and autonomic neuromodulation, atrial fibrillation, management of dysautonomias (especially postural tachycardia syndrome and vasovagal syncope) and device implantation. His primary research has focussed on the pathophysiology and clinical sequelae of atrial fibrillation, specifically due to autonomic dysregulation of afferent or interoceptive nerve inputs. His main research goals are to delineate the role that the autonomic nervous system plays as both a trigger and substrate of cardiac arrhythmias, to develop novel therapeutic strategies that harness the autonomic neural control of the heart. He is passionate about scientific progress through appropriate peer review and serves as editorial board member for Heart Rhythm 02. Dr. Malik also enjoys outreach medicine and the provision of cardiac services to Australia’s First Nations people.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 - 2024 | Visiting research Faculty and Advanced Clinical Electrophysiology Fellow | University of California, Los Angeles |
| 2022 - ongoing | Senior Clinical Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| Date | Type | Title | Institution Name | Country | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Distinction | Dean's Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence Distinction | University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2022 | Research Award | Best Young Author award - JACC Clinical Electrophysiology | JACC Clinical electrophysiology Journal | United States | - |
| 2021 | Research Award | Nimmo Prize: Clinical Research | Central Adelaide Local Health Network | Australia | - |
| 2021 | Research Award | Heart Rhythm Prize | Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand | Australia | - |
| 2021 | Award | Young Investigator Award - Clinical Research | Heart Rhythm Society: Washington D.C., District of Columbia, US | United States | - |
| 2019 | Honour | Abstract selected as 'Congress Highlight' | European Heart Rhythm Society | Austria | - |
| 2019 | Research Award | FocusOn Award: Best Abstract from Australia | European Heart Rhythm Society | Portugal | - |
| 2018 | Achievement | Nimmo Finalist: Clinical Research | Central Adelaide Local Health Network | Australia | - |
| 2007 | Scholarship | Jean Rogerson Undergraduate Research Scholarship | University of Western Australia | Australia | - |
| 2007 | Award | Young Investigators Day Research Encouragement Award: Basic Science (Medical Research Foundation) | Royal Perth Hospital | Australia | - |
| Language | Competency |
|---|---|
| English | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 - 2022 | University of Adelaide | Australia | Doctor of Philosophy with Dean's commendation for doctoral thesis excellence |
| The University of Western Australia | Australia | Bachelor Of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery | |
| University of Western Australia | Australia | Bachelor of Medical Science |
| Date | Title | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 - 2024 | Advanced Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellow | University of California, Los Angeles | United States |
| FRACP | Royal Australasian College of Physicians | Australia |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Malik, V. (2025). Direction from the wanderer: insight into cardiac neural control from single axons within the vagus nerve. Journal of Physiology, 603(7), 1905-1906. |
| 2025 | Kamsani, S. H., Fitzgerald, J. L., Thiyagarajah, A., Evans, S., Jayakumar, M., Ariyaratnam, J. P., . . . Lau, D. H. (2025). Adoption of left bundle branch area pacing using stylet-driven lead in a tertiary academic training center: Learning curve and acute procedural outcomes. Heart Rhythm O2, 6(3), 253-258. Europe PMC1 |
| 2025 | Malik, V., Elliott, A. D., Thomas, G., Pitman, B., Fitzgerald, J. L., Young, G. D., . . . Sanders, P. (2025). Pulmonary vein isolation does not alter cardiovascular afferent autonomic reflexes in atrial fibrillation. Journal of Arrhythmia, 41(3), e70119-1-e70119-10. Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC2 |
| 2025 | Nakajo, M., Mori, S., Nakayama, H., Yoshiura, T., Xu, S., Rimmer, M., . . . Shivkumar, K. (2025). Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Human Stellate Ganglion. Clinical Anatomy, 8 pages. Scopus1 WoS1 |
| 2025 | Pathak, R. K., Elliott, A. D., Lau, D. H., Middeldorp, M. E., Linz, D., Fitzgerald, J. L., . . . Sanders, P. (2025). Aggressive Risk Factor Reduction Study for Atrial Fibrillation Implications for Ablation Outcomes: The ARREST-AF Randomized Clinical Trial.. JAMA Cardiol, 10(12), 10 pages. |
| 2024 | Aksu, T., Brignole, M., Calo, L., Debruyne, P., Biase, L. D., Deharo, J. C., . . . Carlos Zerpa Acosta, J. (2024). Cardioneuroablation for the treatment of reflex syncope and functional bradyarrhythmias: A Scientific Statement of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the ESC, the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) and the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS). Europace, 26(8), 19 pages. Scopus43 WoS34 Europe PMC34 |
| 2024 | Malik, V., & Ajijola, O. A. (2024). Autonomic Dysfunction and PVC-Mediated Cardiomyopathy. Jacc Clinical Electrophysiology, 10(10), 2183-2185. |
| 2024 | Malik, V., Hayase, J., Chin, R., Cao, M., Lao, Y., Ajijola, O. A., . . . Bradfield, J. (2024). PO-06-079 PERSISTENCE OF ARRHYTHMOGENIC SUBSTRATES IN PATIENTS WITH VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA RECURRENCE FOLLOWING STEREOTACTIC BODY RADIATION THERAPY: A CASE-SERIES. Heart Rhythm, 21(5), S698-S699. |
| 2024 | Malik, V., Linz, D., & Sanders, P. (2024). The Role of the Autonomic Nervous System as Both “Trigger and “Substrate” in Atrial Fibrillation. Cardiac Electrophysiology Clinics, 16(3), 271-280. Scopus2 Europe PMC2 |
| 2024 | Malik, V., & Shivkumar, K. (2024). Stellate ganglion blockade for the management of ventricular arrhythmia storm. European Heart Journal, 45(10), 834-836. Scopus12 WoS9 Europe PMC11 |
| 2024 | Roberts, J. S., Hayase, J., Malik, V., Yasin, O. Z., Chin, R., Cao, M., . . . Bradfield, J. (2024). PO-06-077 ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC CHARACTERIZATION OF VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA RECURRENCE AFTER STEREOTACTIC BODY RADIATION THERAPY FOR REFRACTORY VT: INSIGHTS INTO THE EFFECTS ON SUBSTRATE. Heart Rhythm, 21(5), S698. |
| 2023 | Malik, V., Chew, D. P., Vaile, J., & Sanders, P. (2023). Sympathetic Denervation Abolishes Recurrent Ventricular Fibrillation and Intractable Coronary Spasm: Autonomic Dysfunction: A Shared Mechanism?. JACC Clin Electrophysiol, 10(5), 1017-1020. Scopus6 WoS5 Europe PMC6 |
| 2023 | Ariyaratnam, J. P., Elliott, A. D., Mishima, R. S., Kadhim, K., McNamee, O., Kuklik, P., . . . Sanders, P. (2023). Identification of Subclinical Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction in Patients With Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation. JACC: Heart Failure, 11(11), 1626-1638. Scopus24 WoS22 Europe PMC13 |
| 2022 | Ariyaratnam, J. P., Mishima, R. S., Emami, M., Malik, V., Fitzgerald, J. L., Lau, D. H., . . . Sanders, P. (2022). PO-669-08 LEFT ATRIAL CARDIOMYOPATHY UNDERPINS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AND HEART FAILURE WITH PRESERVED EJECTION FRACTION. Heart Rhythm, 19(5), S319-S320. |
| 2022 | Ariyaratnam, J., Mishima, R., McNamee, O., Kadhim, K., Emami, M., Malik, V., . . . Sanders, P. (2022). Invasive Haemodynamic Testing with Fluid Challenge to Explore the Relationship Between Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Atrial Fibrillation. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 31, S39. |
| 2022 | Mishima, R. S., Ariyaratnam, J. P., Pitman, B. M., Malik, V., Emami, M., McNamee, O., . . . Elliott, A. D. (2022). Cardiorespiratory fitness, obesity and left atrial function in patients with atrial fibrillation. International Journal of Cardiology: Heart & Vasculature, 42, 101083-1-101083-8. Scopus11 WoS11 Europe PMC11 |
| 2022 | Malik, V., Nguyen, M. T., Seeley, M. C., Thiyagarajah, A., Elliott, A. D., Arnolda, L. F., . . . Lau, D. H. (2022). Abnormal Cardiac Remodeling in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: Further Insights Into its Cardiac Origin. JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, 8(8), 1044-1046. Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2022 | Malik, V., Elliott, A. D., Thomas, G., Mishima, R. S., Pitman, B., Middeldorp, M. E., . . . Sanders, P. (2022). Autonomic Afferent Dysregulation in Atrial Fibrillation. JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, 8(2), 152-164. Scopus19 WoS18 Europe PMC18 |
| 2021 | Mishima, R. S., Verdicchio, C. V., Noubiap, J. J., Ariyaratnam, J. P., Gallagher, C., Jones, D., . . . Elliott, A. D. (2021). Self-reported Physical Activity and Atrial Fibrillation Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Heart Rhythm, 18(4), 520-528. Scopus34 WoS33 Europe PMC30 |
| 2021 | Kadhim, K., Middeldorp, M. E., Elliott, A. D., Agbaedeng, T., Gallagher, C., Malik, V., . . . Sanders, P. (2021). Prevalence and assessment of sleep-disordered breathing in patients with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 37(11), 1846-1856. Scopus31 WoS25 Europe PMC23 |
| 2021 | Mishima, R. S., Elliott, A. D., Ariyaratnam, J. P., Jones, D., Nguyen, O., Martin, L., . . . Sanders, P. (2021). Cardiorespiratory fitness and electroanatomical remodelling in patients with atrial fibrillation. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 28(Supplement_1). |
| 2021 | Malik, V., Elliott, A., Thomas, G., Arnolda, L., Lau, D., & Sanders, P. (2021). AF Begets Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction: A Possible Contributor to “AF begets AF”. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 30, S101-S102. |
| 2021 | Mishima, R. S., Elliott, A. D., Ariyaratnam, J. P., Jones, D., Martin Lauren, N. O., Noubiap, J. J., . . . Sanders, P. (2021). B-PO03-093 CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS AND ELECTROANATOMICAL REMODELLING IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION. Heart Rhythm, 18(8), S226. |
| 2021 | Mishima, R. S., Elliott, A. D., Ariyaratnam, J. P., Malik, V., Pitman, B. M., Lau, D. H., & Sanders, P. (2021). B-PO03-144 LOWER CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS IS ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER RESTING LEFT ATRIAL STRAIN IN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION. Heart Rhythm, 18(8), S247. |
| 2021 | Mishima, R. S., Ariyaratnam, J. P., Malik, V., Pitman, B. M., Elliott, A. D., & Sanders, P. (2021). Cardiorespiratory fitness and left atrial strain in atrial fibrillation: A comparative study. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 28(Supplement_1). |
| 2021 | Malik, V., Elliott, A., Thomas, G., Arnolda, L., Lau, D., & Sanders, P. (2021). Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation is Not Associated With Cardiac Volume-regulating Afferent Nerve Disruption. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 30, S153-S154. |
| 2021 | Malik, V., Elliott, A. D., Thomas, G., Sadashi Mishima, R., Pitman, B. M., Middeldorp, M. E., . . . Sanders, P. (2021). B-YIA1-01 ABNORMAL CARDIAC VOLUME-SENSITIVE REFLEX IN PATIENTS WITH AF: IMPACT OF RHYTHM AND IMPLICATIONS ON ATRIAL REMODELING. Heart Rhythm, 18(8), S48. |
| 2020 | Malik, V., Mishima, R., Elliott, A., Emami, M., Roberts-Thompson, K., Mahajan, R., . . . Sanders, P. (2020). 70Autonomic dysfunction in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients: absent vasomotor reflex to decreased cardiac venous return during af in comparison to sinus rhythm; implications for earlier rhythm control. EP Europace, 22(Supplement_1). |
| 2020 | Wells, R., Malik, V., Brooks, A. G., Linz, D., Elliott, A. D., Sanders, P., . . . Lau, D. H. (2020). Cerebral blood flow and cognitive performance in postural tachycardia syndrome: insights from sustained cognitive stress test. Journal of the American Heart Association, 9(24), 1-10. Scopus20 WoS21 Europe PMC17 |
| 2020 | Malik, V., Ganesan, A. N., Selvanayagam, J. B., Chew, D. P., & McGavigan, A. D. (2020). Is Atrial Fibrillation a Stroke Risk Factor or Risk Marker? An Appraisal Using the Bradford Hill Framework for Causality. Heart Lung and Circulation, 29(1), 86-93. Scopus15 WoS10 Europe PMC6 |
| 2020 | Malik, V., Gallagher, C., Linz, D., Elliott, A. D., Emami, M., Kadhim, K., . . . Lau, D. H. (2020). Atrial fibrillation is associated with syncope and falls in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 95(4), 676-687. Scopus25 WoS21 Europe PMC22 |
| 2020 | Malik, V., Mishima, R., D Elliott, A., H Lau, D., & Sanders, P. (2020). The "Road" to Atrial Fibrillation: The Role of the Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System.. J Atr Fibrillation, 13(1), 1-8. Scopus12 Europe PMC12 |
| 2019 | Malik, V., Lau, D. H., Linz, D., Middeldorp, M. E., & Sanders, P. (2019). Is the stomach a way to one's heart? Gastric autonomic activity and AF susceptibility in gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 30(11), 2271-2273. Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2019 | Malik, V., Mohammadi, F. A., Chew, D. P., Lance, D., Lau, D., Sanders, P., . . . Vaile, J. (2019). S-PO01-159 A CASE OF RECURRENT VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION AND INTRACTABLE CORONARY SPASM ABOLISHED BY SYMPATHETIC DENERVATION: AUTONOMIC DYSFUNCTION A SHARED MECHANISM?. Heart Rhythm, 16(5), S133-S134. |
| 2019 | Clinical case corner 1 - Arrhythmias (2019). EP Europace, 21(Supplement_2), ii1030-ii1042. |
| 2019 | Moderated ePosters 10: clinical AF (2019). EP Europace, 21(Supplement_2), ii858-ii866. |
| 2019 | Linz, D., Elliott, A. D., Hohl, M., Malik, V., Schotten, U., Dobrev, D., . . . Sanders, P. (2019). Role of autonomic nervous system in atrial fibrillation. International Journal of Cardiology, 287, 181-188. Scopus130 WoS117 Europe PMC110 |
| 2019 | Malik, V., McKitrick, D. J., Lau, D. H., Sanders, P., & Arnolda, L. F. (2019). Clinical evidence of autonomic dysfunction due to atrial fibrillation: implications for rhythm control strategy. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, 54(3), 299-307. Scopus15 WoS12 Europe PMC13 |
| 2019 | Thiyagarajah, A., Kadhim, K., Lau, D. H., Emami, M., Linz, D., Khokhar, K., . . . Sanders, P. (2019). Feasibility, safety, and efficacy of posterior wall isolation during atrial fibrillation ablation. Circulation. Arrhythmia and electrophysiology, 12(8), e007005. Scopus125 WoS111 Europe PMC101 |
| 2019 | Sanders, P., Malik, V., & Lau, D. H. (2019). Glycemic control in atrial fibrillation: a sweet spot of risk factor modification. JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, 5(8), 904-906. Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC2 |
| 2019 | Malik, V., Gallagher, C., Linz, D., Elliott, A., Emami, M., Kadhim, K., . . . Lau, D. (2019). Atrial Fibrillation is Independently Associated with Both Syncope and the Risk of Falling in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 28, S202-S203. |
| 2019 | Malik, V., Thiyagarajah, A., Munawar, D., Linz, D., Elliott, A., Emami, M., . . . Lau, D. (2019). Abnormal Cardiac Electrical Remodelling in POTS: Mechanistic Insights on Potential Autonomic Dysregulation. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 28, S199-S200. |
| 2018 | Malik, V., McKitrick, D. J., Lau, D. H., Sanders, P., & Arnolda, L. F. (2018). P2883 Novel clinical evidence of autonomic dysfunction due to atrial fibrillation; with partial reversal after successful pulmonary vein isolation: implications for an early rhythm control strategy. European Heart Journal, 39(suppl_1), 605. |
| 2017 | Malik, V., Saleem, S., Arnolda, L. F., & Alsady, M. (2017). C-PO04-56 - CONTEMPORARY CIED (CARDIAC IMPLANTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE) MECHANICAL & LEAD RELATED COMPLICATIONS IN AUSTRALIA. Heart Rhythm, 14(5), S348. |
| 2016 | Tsay, I., Wood, A., Soh, S., Paymard, M., Malik, V., & Tan, R. (2016). Patient Outcomes After STEMI in Regional Hospitals. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 25, S55. |
| 2016 | Soh, S., Tsay, I., Paymard, M., Malik, V., Bhushan, V., Wood, S., . . . Tan, R. (2016). Waiting Time for Transferred Regional Patients with Suspected ACS. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 25, S72. |
| 2016 | Malik, V., Safaa, A., Clugston, R., Noc, M., Fister, M., Vranckx, P., . . . Heidbuchel, H. (2016). How should i treat this unusual anterolateral ST-elevation myocardial infarction with recurrent ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest?. Eurointervention, 12(7), 928-932. Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2016 | Malik, V., Alasady, M., & Arnolda, L. F. (2016). Transient Loss of Ventricular Pacing Capture Caused by Vagal Induced Ventricular Refractoriness: A Novel Mechanism for Pacemaker Failure in Vasovagal Syncope. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 27(9), 1114-1115. |
| 2015 | Malik, V., Mckitrick, D., Paul, V., & Arnolda, L. (2015). The reflex response to Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) is altered in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (PAF) Patients: Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI) has no effect on LBNP response. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 24, S232. |
| 2013 | Malik, V., Mckitrick, D., Weerasooriya, R., & Arnolda, L. (2013). AFAF (Autonomic Function in Atrial Fibrillation) Study: The Effect of Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI) for Atrial Fibrillation (AF) on Autonomic Reflexes. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 22, S93-S94. |
| 2007 | Malik, V., Holobotovskyy, V. V., Phillips, J. K., Mckitrick, D. J., & Arnolda, L. F. (2007). Intrathecal cGMP elicits pressor responses and maintains mean blood pressure during haemorrhage in anaesthetized rats. Journal of Physiology, 581(2), 543-552. Scopus8 WoS8 Europe PMC8 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Ariyaratnam, J. P., Mishima, R., Gallagher, C., Emami, M., Wong, C., Malik, V., . . . Sanders, P. (2021). Left Atrial Hemodynamics and Invasive Functional Testing to Characterize Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. In CIRCULATION Vol. 144 (pp. 3 pages). Boston, MA: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. |
| 2018 | Malik, V., McKitrick, D. J., Lau, D. H., Sanders, P., & Arnolda, L. F. (2018). Novel clinical evidence of autonomic dysfunction due to atrial fibrillation; with partial reversal after successful pulmonary vein isolation: implications for an early rhythm control strategy. In EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL Vol. 39 (pp. 605). Munich, GERMANY: OXFORD UNIV PRESS. |
2022
Improving Acute Atrial Fibrillation Management for better patient outcomes
Grant in RM
Relationship privacy:Public
2011
The effect of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation on autonomic reflexes
Manual Grant
Relationship privacy:Public
| Date | Role | Editorial Board Name | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 - ongoing | Board Member | Heart Rhythm Society: Washington D.C., District of Columbia, US | Heart Rhythm 02 Journal | United States |
| 2024 - 2026 | Board Member | American College of Cardiology: Washington D.C., District of Columbia, US | JACC Clinical electrophysiology (Journal) | United States |
| Date | Title | Type | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 - 2024 | Cardioneuroablation for the treatment of reflex syncope and functional bradyarrhythmias: A Scientific Statement of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the ESC, the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) and the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS) | Journal Review | European Heart Rhythm Society | Austria |
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