Kaveh Karimzad, MD
Department of Cardiology, Division of Internal Medicine
About Dr. Kaveh Karimzad
Kaveh Karimzad, MD is Associate Professor of Medicine at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He joined MD Anderson cardiology department faculty in 2012 after completing his fellowship in cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology at University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Dr. Karimzad is the director of cardiac electrophysiology and Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIED) clinic at MD Anderson. He devotes a significant portion of his practice to medical and procedural management of cancer patients with different cardiac arrhythmias. Dr. Karimzad runs CIED clinic which is responsible for managing cardiac devices in cancer patients with pacemakers and defibrillators who are undergoing surgery, radiation therapy and MRI scan at MD Anderson.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Cardiology, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Research Interests
Dr. Karimzad research interests are Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) in Chemotherapy induced Cardiomyopathy, Unique features of CIEDs implantation in cancer patients, management of CIEDs during radiation therapy and role of left atrial appendage closure device (Watchman) for prevention of thromboembolic event in cancer patients with atrial fibrillation.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1999 | Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR, Doctor of Medicine |
Postgraduate Training
| 2011-2012 | Clinical Fellowship, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, University of Texas, Houston, Texas |
| 2008-2011 | Clinical Fellowship, Cardiovascular Disease, University of Texas, Houston, Texas |
| 2006-2008 | Clinical Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Texas, Houston, Texas |
| 2005-2006 | Clinical Internship, Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, Louisiana |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2013 | American Board of Internal Medicine Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology |
| 2011 | American Board of Internal Medicine Cardiovascular Disease |
| 2010 | National Board of Echocardiography |
| 2010 | Texas Medical License |
| 2009 | Medical Board of California |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2019
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Director of Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - Present
Director of Cardiac Device Clinic, Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - Present
Chief Fellow, Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2011
Other Professional Positions
Medical Practice, Military Service Obligation, Medical Practice, Military Service Obligation, Ghazvin, 1999 - 2001
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
cardiology department representative, MRI safety committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - Present
cardiology department representative, Electronic Health Records (EHR), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - Present
cardiology department representative, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2019 | Faculty Excellence Award, MD Anderson Division of Internal Medicine for Excellence in patient care |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2024. Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs). Invited. Institutional lecture Baylor internal medicine residents. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Vasovagal Syncope. Invited. Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine grand rounds: M&M. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2020. Antiarrhythmics. Invited. Antiarrhythmics. Houston, TX, US.
- 2020. Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation. Invited. Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation. Houston, TX, US.
- 2020. The Role of Electrophysiology in the Management of Cancer. Invited. The Role of Electrophysiology in the Management of Cancer. Houston, TX, US.
- 2020. CIED in cancer patients. Invited. Cardio- Oncology Multidisciplinary Practice (COMP). Houston, Texas, US.
- 2019. Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Invited. Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Basic Electrophysiology. Invited. Basic Electrophysiology. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDS) in cancer patients. Invited. Division on Internal Medicine Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2017. Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs) in cancer patients. Invited. Division of Internal Medicine Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. Management of Cardiac Devices During Radiation Therapy. Invited. Boot Camp in Onco- Cardiology. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2014. Management of Cardiac Devices During Radiation Therapy. Invited. Third International Conference on Cancer and Heart. Houston, Texas, US.
National Presentations
- 2025. Autonomic dysfunction in cancer. Invited. Heart Rhythm Society (HRS). San Diego, California, US.
- 2024. A single center analysis of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis and the association of electrographic changes and arrhythmias. Poster. Heart Rhythm Society (HRS). Boston, Massachusetts, US.
- 2024. Temporary Pacing Strategies in Cancer Patients. Invited. Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention (SCA). Long Beach, California, US.
- 2024. Immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis complicated by conduction system disease needing pacemaker implantation: a single center experience of pacing outcomes. Poster. American Heart Association(AHA). Boston, Massachusetts, US.
- 2023. Reexamining the incidence and predictors of Radian Therapy induced Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Malfunction in cancer patients and streaming management. Conference. American Heart Association (AHA). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US.
- 2022. Atrial fibrillation in patients with biopsy-proven AL Amyloidosis: A cancer center experience. Poster. American Heart Association (AHA). Chicago, Illinois, US.
- 2021. Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Cancer patients with heart failure. Poster. American Heart Association (AHA), US.
- 2021. ICDs and CRT in Cardio-Oncology patients. Invited. Heart Rhythm Society (HRS). Boston, Massachusetts, US.
- 2021. Wearable Cardiac device in cancer patients. Poster. Heart Rhythm Society (HRS). Boston, Massachusetts, US.
- 2019. New onset atrial fibrillation after stem cell transplantation- 10 year experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Poster. American Heart Association (AHA). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US.
- 2019. Left Atrial appendage thrombus and stroke in cancer patients with atrial fibrillation. Poster. American Heart Association (AHA). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US.
- 2016. Left Atrial Dyssynchrony as a Predictor of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Cancer Patients. Conference. 21st Annual World Congress on Heart Disease. Boston, MA, US.
- 2015. A Novel method for detecting serious cardiac device errors in patients receiving Radiotherapy, Using daily pulse checks. Poster. Cancer Network, US.
- 2012. Assessment of Left Atrial Mechanical Dyssynchrony with Speckle Tracking Predicts Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Catheter Ablation. Poster. Assessment of Left Atrial Mechanical Dyssynchrony with Speckle Tracking Predicts Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Catheter Ablation. Boston, MA, US.
- 2011. FFR in Cancer Patients. Poster. FFR in Cancer Patients. Baltimore, MA, US.
International Presentations
- 2021. Electrophysiology in Cardio- Oncology. Invited. International Cardio-Oncology Society Podcast, US.
- 2012. Radiation and Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices. Invited. Second International Conference on Cancer and Heart. Houston, US.
- 2011. Diastolic Strain Rate and Doppler Parameters are Associated with Scar Size and Transmurality in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients. Poster. Diastolic Strain Rate and Doppler Parameters are Associated with Scar Size and Transmurality in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients. Vancouver, CA.
- 2011. Position of Left Ventricular Lead and the Outcome of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Role of Echocardiographic Deformation Imaging. Poster. Position of Left Ventricular Lead and the Outcome of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Role of Echocardiographic Deformation Imaging. Madrid, ES.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Palaskas, NL, King, NE, Ostos-Mendoza, KC, Ruiz-Jurado, A, Ali, HR, Koutroumpakis, E, Deswal, A, Iliescu, C, Durand, J, Karimzad, K. Pacing Solutions for Immune Checkpoint Myocarditis and Associated Conduction Disorders. JACC: Case Reports 30(8), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40250924.
- Potter AS, Patel A, Khawaja M, Chen C, Zheng H, Kaczmarek J, Gao F, Karimzad K, Song J, Koutroumpakis E, Khalaf S, Iliescu C, Deswal A, Palaskas NL. Outcomes by Class of Anticoagulant Use for Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Active Cancer. JACC CardioOncol 4(3):341-350, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36213361.
- Steiner RE, Banchs J, Koutroumpakis E, Becnel M, Gutierrez C, Strati P, Pinnix CC, Feng L, Rondon G, Claussen C, Palaskas N, Karimzad K, Ahmed S, Neelapu SS, Shpall E, Wang M, Vega F, Westin J, Nastoupil LJ, Deswal A. Cardiovascular events in patients treated with chimeric antigen receptor t-cell therapy for aggressive B-cell lymphoma. Haematologica 107(7):1555-1566, 2022. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34758610.
- Kim JW, Dayah TJ, Javaid A, Monlezun DJ, Balanescu DV, Donisan T, Karimzad K, Hakeem A, Boone DL, Palaskas N, Lopez-Mattei J, Kim PY, Durand JB, Song J, Balanescu SM, Yang EH, Herrmann J, Marmagkiolis K, Toutouzas K, Johnson NP, Iliescu CA. Reclassification of Treatment Strategy with Fractional Flow Reserve in Cancer Patients with Coronary Artery Disease. Medicina (Kaunas) 58(7), 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35888603.
- Shobayo F, Bajwa M, Koutroumpakis E, Hassan SA, Palaskas NL, Iliescu C, Abe JI, Mouhayar E, Karimzad K, Thompson KA, Deswal A, Yusuf S. Acute coronary syndrome in patients with cancer. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 20(4):275-290, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35412407.
- Safdar A, Ahmed T, Liu VY, Addoumieh A, Agha AM, Giza DE, Balanescu DV, Donisan T, Dayah T, Lopez-Mattei JC, Kim PY, Hassan S, Karimzad K, Palaskas N, Tsai JY, Iliescu GD, Yang EH, Herrmann J, Marmagkiolis K, Angelini P, Iliescu CA. Trigger related outcomes of takotsubo syndrome in a cancer population. Front Cardiovasc Med 9:1019284, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36386379.
- Karimzad K, Deswal A. In older patients with permanent AF and HF, digoxin and bisoprolol did not differ for QoL at 6 mo. Ann Intern Med 174(6):JC69, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34058112.
- Kim P, Masha L, Olson A, Iliescu C, Karimzad K, Hassan S, Palaskas N, Durand JB, Leung CH, Lopez-Mattei J. QT Prolongation in Cancer Patients. Front Cardiovasc Med 8:613625, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33718445.
- Khalil M, Karimzad K, Durand JB, Malek AE, Raad II, Viola GM. Prevention of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device-Related Infection in Patients With Cancer: The Role of a Comprehensive Prophylactic Bundle Approach That Includes the Antimicrobial Mesh. Open Forum Infect Dis 7(11):ofaa433, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33204750.
- Sudasena D, Balanescu DV, Donisan T, Hassan S, Palaskas N, Kim P, Karimzad K, Lopez-Mattei J, Arain S, Gould KL, Iliescu C. Fulminant Vascular and Cardiac Toxicity Associated with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Sorafenib. Cardiovasc Toxicol 19(4):382-387, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30543051.
- Palaskas N, Morgan J, Daigle T, Banchs J, Durand JB, Hong D, Naing A, Le H, Hassan SA, Karimzad K, Mouhayar E, Kim P, Lopez-Mattei J, Thompson K, Yusuf SW, Iliescu C. Targeted Cancer Therapies With Pericardial Effusions Requiring Pericardiocentesis Focusing on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Am J Cardiol 123(8):1351-1357, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30765065.
- Liu VY, Agha AM, Lopez-Mattei J, Palaskas N, Kim P, Thompson K, Mouhayar E, Marmagkiolis K, Hassan SA, Karimzad K, Iliescu CA. Interventional Cardio-Oncology: Adding a New Dimension to the Cardio-Oncology Field. Front Cardiovasc Med 5:48, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29868614.
- Reddy N, Moudgil R, Lopez-Mattei JC, Karimzad K, Mouhayar EN, Somaiah N, Conley AP, Patel S, Giza DE, Iliescu C. Progressive and Reversible Conduction Disease with Checkpoint Inhibitors. Can J Cardiol Ref. No.: CJC-D-17-00514R2(10):1335.e13-1335.e15, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28822650.
- Munoz E, Iliescu G, Vejpongsa P, Charitakis K, Karimzad K, Lopez-Mattei J, Yusuf SW, Marmagkiolis K, Iliescu C. Takotsubo Stress Cardiomyopathy: "Good News" in Cancer Patients?. J Am Coll Cardiol 68(10):1143-4, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27585514.
- Loghin C, Karimzadehnajar K, Ekeruo IA, Mukerji SS, Memon NB, Kantharia BK. Outcome of pulmonary vein isolation ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: predictive role of left atrial mechanical dyssynchrony by speckle tracking echocardiography. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 39(1):7-15, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24310816.
- Javadi S, Mosaffa N, Karimzadeh K. The Effect of Glycation of Culture Medium on Phagocytic and Respiratory Burst of Peritoneal Macrophages from Balb/C mice. Immunology 1:179-185, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
Review Articles
- Ahmed T, Mouhayar E, Banchs J, Karimzad K, Hassan SA, Brewster A, Yusuf SW. Extensive Painless Aortic Dissection in a Patient With Breast Cancer. Curr Probl Cardiol 48(8):101253, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 35577080.
- Potter AS, Hulsurkar MM, Wu L, Narasimhan B, Karimzad K, Koutroumpakis E, Palaskas N, Deswal A, Kantharia BK, Wehrens XHT. Kinase Inhibitors and Atrial Fibrillation: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Implications. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 9(4):591-602, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37100538.
- Ahmed T, Marmagkiolis K, Ploch M, Irizarry-Caro JA, Amatullah A, Desai S, Aziz MK, Yarrabothula A, Fossas-Espinosa J, Koutroumpakis E, Hassan S, Karimzad K, Kim P, Cilingiroglu M, Iliescu C. The year in Cardio-oncology 2022. Curr Probl Cardiol 48(1):101435, 2023. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36183977.
- Donisan T, Balanescu DV, Palaskas N, Lopez-Mattei J, Karimzad K, Kim P, Charitakis K, Cilingiroglu M, Marmagkiolis K, Iliescu C. Cardiac Interventional Procedures in Cardio-Oncology Patients. Cardiol Clin 37(4):469-486, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31587788.
- Giza DE, Boccalandro F, Lopez-Mattei J, Iliescu G, Karimzad K, Kim P, Iliescu C. Ischemic Heart Disease: Special Considerations in Cardio-Oncology. Curr Treat Options Cardiovasc Med 19(5):37, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28425056.
Editorials
- Iliescu, C, Koutroumpakis, E, Karimzad, K. Autonomic Dysfunction Among Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer. JACC: CardioOncology 6(5):788-790, 2024. PMID: 39479320.
Abstracts
- k S, Musadig A, Memon N, Banchs J, Karimzad K. Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus and Stroke in Cancer Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Shah K, Musadig A, Juhee S, Yusuf SW, Karimzad, K. New Onset Atrial Fibrillation after Stem Cell Transplantation - 10 Year Experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center. American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Lee M, Dayah, T, Balanescu D, Donisan T, Karimzad K, Hakeem A, Boone D, Palaskas N, Lopez-Mattei J, Kim P, Durand JB, Song J, Balanescu SM, Yang EH, Herrmann J, Marmagkioli K, Toutouzas K, Johnson N, Iliescu C. Reclassification of Treatment Strategy with Fractional Flow Reserve in Cancer Patients with Coronary Artery Disease. Journal American College of Cardiology 12(4, Suppl S):100.56, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Karimzad, K. Left Atrial Dyssynchrony as a Predictor of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Cancer Patients. International Academy of Cardiology, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- JD Grant JD, MD, A Dougherty A, MD, K Karimzad K, MD, DR Gomez DR, MD, MA Rozner MA, PhD, MD. (S026) A Novel Method for Detecting Serious Cardiac Device Errors in Patients Receiving Radiotherapy Using Daily Pulse Checks. Cancer Network, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Karimzad, K. Assessment of Left Atrial Mechanical Dyssynchrony with Speckle Tracking Predicts Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Catheter Ablation. Heart Rhythm Society, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Karimzad, K. Diastolic Strain Rate and Doppler Parameters are Associated with Scar Size and Transmurality in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients. International Academy of Cardiology, 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- Karimzad, K. Position of Left Ventricular Lead and the Outcome of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Role of Echocardiographic Deformation Imaging. Europace, 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- Karimzadehnajar K, Azpura F, Shezad S, Durand JB, Iliescu C. Fractional Flow Reserve: Less is sometimes more in cancer patients. The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Scientific Sessions, 2011. e-Pub 2011.
Book Chapters
- Karimzad K. Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Therapeutic Radiation in Cancer Patients with Implanted Pacemaker of Defibrillator Devices. In: Cancer and the Heart. 3rd, 2019.
- Karimzad, K. Common arrhythmias / Device management in patients with Cancer. In: Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease - A Concise Clinical Atlas. Springer International Publishing AG, Cham.
- Kim P, Zarifa A, Salih M, Karimzad K. Oncologic Critical Care. In: Arrhythmias in the Cancer Patient. Springer.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified October 09, 2025