Varun Malik
Adelaide Medical School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
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.
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Appointments
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 -
Awards and Achievements
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 Competencies
Language Competency English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review -
Education
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 -
Postgraduate Training
Date Title Institution Country 2023 - 2024 Advanced Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellow University of California, Los Angeles United States FRACP Royal Australasian College of Physicians Australia -
Research Interests
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Journals
Year Citation 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.
Scopus1 Europe PMC12024 Malik, V., & Shivkumar, K. (2024). Stellate ganglion blockade for the management of ventricular arrhythmia storm. European Heart Journal, 45(10), 834-836.
Scopus6 Europe PMC12024 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.
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 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.
Scopus7 Europe PMC42024 Malik, V., & Ajijola, O. A. (2024). Autonomic Dysfunction and PVC-Mediated Cardiomyopathy. JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, 10(10), 2183-2185.
2024 Malik, V. (2024). Direction from the wanderer: insight into cardiac neural control from single axons within the vagus nerve. Journal of Physiology, 2 pages.
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.
Scopus15 WoS1 Europe PMC22023 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.
Scopus5 Europe PMC22022 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.
Scopus8 WoS3 Europe PMC72022 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 Europe PMC12022 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.
Scopus15 WoS3 Europe PMC92022 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.
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.
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.
Scopus28 WoS12 Europe PMC132021 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.
Scopus27 WoS15 Europe PMC142021 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).
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.
Scopus15 WoS12 Europe PMC102020 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.
Scopus14 WoS7 Europe PMC32020 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.
Scopus20 WoS14 Europe PMC62020 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.
Scopus7 Europe PMC42020 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).
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 Europe PMC12019 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.
Scopus112 WoS78 Europe PMC652019 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.
Scopus13 WoS5 Europe PMC72019 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.
Scopus116 WoS82 Europe PMC602019 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 PMC22019 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.
Scopus1 WoS12016 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 -
Conference Papers
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
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Editorial Boards
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 -
Review, Assessment, Editorial and Advice
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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