Emmanouil Simantirakis is a Professor of Cardiology and Head of the Cardiology Clinic at the University of Crete since September 2024. Born in Heraklion, Crete in 1960, he graduated from the Medical School of the University of Athens in 1985 and specialized in Cardiology following training at the University Hospital of Heraklion and the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London.
He specializes in the clinical management of cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac pacing, with substantial experience in implanting all types of pacemakers, including pioneering techniques such as biventricular pacing and leadless pacemaker implantation, which he was the first to perform in Greece. From 1996 to 2022, he was responsible for the Intensive Care Unit for cardiac patients and since 2010, he has been leading the electrophysiology and pacing laboratory at the University Hospital of Heraklion.
His research focuses on cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac pacing, and advanced diagnostic methods such as heart rate variability and ambulatory electrocardiography. He has published numerous original articles in leading international journals, including the European Heart Journal, JACC, and the New England Journal of Medicine, achieving significant international recognition and a high citation impact.
In addition, he has been actively involved in the education of medical students and trainees since 1990 and served as President of the Hellenic Electrophysiology and Pacing Group. From 2000 to 2006, he was a member of the European evaluation committee in electrophysiology and pacing. He regularly participates as a speaker and chairperson in national and international scientific conferences, highlighting his contribution to the advancement of cardiological knowledge and practice.
Education
Research Interests
Emmanouil Simantirakis’ research interests primarily focus on cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac pacing, as reflected by his publications in high-impact international journals. Specifically, he investigates the pathophysiology and clinical management of atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias, the effects of pacing on cardiac function and remodeling, and pioneering pacemaker implantation techniques such as biventricular and leadless pacing.
He also works on advanced methods for cardiac function assessment, including signal-averaged electrocardiography, heart rate variability, ambulatory electrocardiography, and the evaluation of cardiac mechanical contraction using conduction-pressure catheters. His research includes clinical studies on anticoagulation therapy in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation, featured in large multicenter international trials.
His work has been published in leading cardiology journals such as the European Heart Journal, Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), Circulation, and the New England Journal of Medicine, underscoring the international recognition and impact of his research.
Publications
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=simantirakis+e&sort=date
Anticoagulation with Edoxaban in Patients with Atrial High-Rate Episodes” N Engl J Med. 2023 Sep 28;389(13):1167-1179. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2303062
Anticoagulation in device-detected atrial fibrillation with or without vascular disease: a combined analysis of the NOAH-AFNET 6 and ARTESiA trials. Eur Heart J. 2024 Dec
Atrial overdrive pacing for the obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2005 Dec 15;353(24):2568-77.
Memberships
PARTICIPATION IN GREEK AND INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES
1. Member, Heraklion Medical Council
2. Member, Hellenic Cardiological Society
3. Member, HCS Working Group on Electrophysiology and Pacing
4. Member, European Heart Rhythm Assossiation
5. Fellow, European Society of Cardiology
6. Chairman, HCS Working Group on Electrophysiology and Pacing (elected February 2012)
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEES
1. Member, ESC Accreditation Committee (EHRA)
2. Member, ESC Educational Committee (EHRA)
3. Member, ESC Programme Committee for the Electrophysiology and Pacing Congress (Europace).
