Profile

• Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
• Resident in Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Chania, Crete, Greece (1997 – 1999)
• Resident in Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, General Hospital “G. Gennimatas”, Athens, Greece (2000-2004)
• Certified cardiologist, Prefecture of Athens (2005)
• Accreditation in Echocardiography, Hellenic Ministry of Health (2005)
• Accreditation in Advanced Echocardiographic Techniques (Stress Echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, TDI, Color Kinesis, Strain, Strain Rate) (2007)
• Theoretical and practical training in implantation and monitoring of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) Systems "Beating Heart Curriculum" which took place in "St. Jude Medical Advanced Learning Center ”Zaventem, Belgium and“ Hospital de la Santa Creu ”, Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. Program director Dr M. Bongiorni under the auspices of St Jude Medical. (2011)
• Certification as Pacemaker and ICD implanting Physician in Athens Bioclinic Hospital from the Central Health Council (KESY), Hellenic Ministry of Health (2012)
• Certification as Pacemaker and ICD implanting Physician in IASO General Clinic from the Central Health Council (KESY), Hellenic Ministry of Health (2021)

“The diagnostic value of adenosine stress-contrast echocardiography for diagnosos of coronary artery disease: comparison to SPECT Tl -201“ 1st Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.

• Director, Department of Cardiac Echocardiography, IASO General Clinic, Athens, Greece. (2021-present)
• Scientific Supervisor, Pacing and ICD Center, IASO General Clinic, Athens, Greece. (2021-present)
• Clinical and Research Fellow, 1st Department of Cardiology, General Hospital Athens “Hippokration”, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. (2005-present)
• Clinical and Research Fellow, Evgenidion Clinic, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. (2015-present)
• Private Office: Kifissias Avenue 38, Athens 11526, Greece (2005-present)
• Scientific Supervisor, Pacing and ICD Center, Athens Bioclinic Hospital, Bioiatriki Healthcare Group, Athens, Greece. (2012-2021)
• Director, Department of Cardiac Echocardiography, Athens Bioclinic Hospital, Bioiatriki Healthcare Group, Athens, Greece. (2017-2021)
• Consultant Cardiologist, 2nd Cardiac Surgery Department, Hygeia Hospital, Athens, Greece (2005-2018)

• After residency, I participate in a continuous and active way in the activities of the First Department of Cardiology of the University of Athens with a special interest in Echocardiography. In particular, in the Echocardiography Laboratory of the above clinic, I actively participate in the performance of echocardiograms that concern both routine echocardiograms and research protocols. Specifically, I participated in a continuous and active way in performing STRESS ECHO in hospitalized and outpatients. I also participate in the performance of transesophageal Echocardiograms, TDI, cardiac resynchronization optimization studies and newer techniques stain, strain rate and three-dimensional echocardiography. (January 2005 - today)
• Active participation in the Echocardiography Laboratory in Athens Bioclinic Hospital (since 2017 from the position of Scientific Director) in the performance of conventional and advanced echocardiographic techniques. During the period of my four-year scientific management the Echocardiography laboratory was preforming > 3000 echocardiographic studies per year, concerning advanced echocardiographic techniques (STRESS ECHO, Transesophageal Echocardiograms, etc.). (April 2012-November 2021)
• Active participation in the Electrophysiological Laboratory in Athens Bioclinic Hospital in the management of implantable cardiac devices (pacemakers, defibrillators, biventricular systems) as 1st operator, as well as in the monitoring of patients with cardiac devices at the Pacemaker - Defibrillator Clinic. I am also actively involved in electrophysiological studies and arrhythmia ablation procedures in the Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing in Athens Bioclinic Hopsital, which is currently classified on official national registries as one of the top electrophysiological laboratories in Greece, with an annual volume of 150-200 catheter ablation procedures. In atrial fibrillation ablation procedures, I have considerable experience in intracardiac echocardiography, which is used for safe transseptal puncture (April 2012-November 2021)
• I was actively involved in the Electrophysiology Laboratory of the "Henry Dunant" Hospital, where I perform multiple implantations of cardiac implantable electronic devices (pacemakers and defibrillators) as a first operator and I have an active participation in electrophysiological studies and catheter ablations. (2008-2012)
• I have been involved in the Cardiac Surgery Department at “Hygeia” Hospital with follow-up of patients who have undergone open heart surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting, valve replacement, mitral valve repair surgery, surgical treatment of aortic aneurysms, etc.) (2006-2018)
• I routinely perform stress echocardiography as a clinical and research fellow in Evgenidion Clinic, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. (2015-present)

• Fellowship from the "PAPADAKI" foundation after written examinations during the training at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and during the last 3 academic years.
• Fellowship from the BIOTRONIK GROUP in advanced training for one year in Cardiac Electrophysiology (Jun 2009 - Jun 2010). The training involves implantation of pacemakers, ICDs CRT, electrophysiological studies and Catheter Ablation and was performed at the “Henry Dunant Hospital.

• Ioannidis P, Zografos T, Christoforatou E, Kouvelas K, Tsoumeleas A, Vassilopoulos C. The Electrophysiology of Atrial Fibrillation: From Basic Mechanisms to Catheter Ablation. Cardiol Res Pract. 2021 Jun 5;2021:4109269. doi: 10.1155/2021/4109269. PMID: 34194824; PMCID: PMC8203364.
• Ioannidis P, Christoforatou E, Zografos T, Charalambopoulos P, Kouvelas K, Christoulas G, Syros P, Tsitsinakis G, Kappou T, Tsoumeleas A, Floros S, Tagoulis D, Ntarladimas I, Tagoulis I, Avzotis D, Manolis AS, Vassilopoulos C. Incidence, electrophysiological characteristics, and long-term follow-up of perimitral atrial flutter in patients with previously confirmed mitral isthmus block. J Arrhythm. 2021 May 12;37(3):584-596. doi: 10.1002/joa3.12545. PMID: 34141011; PMCID: PMC8207388.
• Chasikidis C, Oikonomou E, Lazaros G, Christoforatou E, Vogiatzi G, Chrysohoou C, Mystakidi VC, Vavouranaki G, Tousoulis D. Association of arterial stiffness with functional parameters in patients with systolic heart failure: Data from the Corinthia study. Hellenic J Cardiol. 2021 May 7:S1109-9666(21)00094-4. doi: 10.1016/j.hjc.2021.04.005. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33965631.
• Ioannidis P, Christoforatou E, Zografos T, Kouvelas K, Tsoumeleas A, Floros S, Kappou T, Vassilopoulos C. Ventricular ectopy from the non-coronary cusp: Pathophysiological and anatomical considerations. Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J. 2021 Apr 19:S0972-6292(21)00059-0. doi: 10.1016/j.ipej.2021.04.005. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33887363.
• Oikonomou E, Theofilis P, Vogiatzi G, Lazaros G, Tsalamandris S, Mystakidi VC, Goliopoulou A, Anastasiou M, Fountoulakis P, Chasikidis C, Christoforatou E, Tousoulis D. The impact of sleeping duration on atherosclerosis in the community: insights from the Corinthia study. Sleep Breath. 2021 Jan 7. doi: 10.1007/s11325-020-02267-y. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33411185.
• Ioannidis P, Zografos T, Vassilopoulos C, Christoforatou E, Kouvelas K, Kappou T, Dadous G, Skeberis V, Fragakis N, Vassilikos V, Sakadamis G, Kanonidis I. The evolution of mapping and ablation techniques in the treatment of atrial tachycardias occurring after atrial fibrillation ablation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2021 Apr;60(3):493-511. doi: 10.1007/s10840-020-00759-1. Epub 2020 May 13. PMID: 32405890. Cited by: 1
• Oikonomou E, Vogiatzi G, Lazaros G, Tsalamandris S, Goliopoulou A, Mystakidou V, Theofilis P, Christoforatou E, Chasikidis C, Tousoulis D. Relationship of depressive symptoms with arterial stiffness and carotid atherosclerotic burden in the Corinthia study. QJM. 2020 Sep 1;113(9):633-642. doi: 10.1093/qjmed/hcaa079. PMID: 32125429. Cited by: 1
• Oikonomou E, Theofilis P, Mpahara A, Lazaros G, Niarchou P, Vogiatzi G, Tsalamandris S, Fountoulakis P, Christoforatou E, Mystakidou V, Anastasiou M, Goliopoulou A, Tousoulis D. Diagnostic performance of electrocardiographic criteria in echocardiographic diagnosis of different patterns of left ventricular hypertrophy. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol. 2020 May;25(3):e12728. doi: 10.1111/anec.12728. Epub 2019 Nov 14. PMID: 31724804; PMCID: PMC7358819.
• Ioannidis P, Zografos T, Vassilopoulos C, Christoforatou E, Dadous G, Skeberis V, Sakadamis G, Kanonidis I. Selective Activation Re-Mapping Reveals the Mechanism in Apparently Unstable Atrial Tachycardias. J Atr Fibrillation. 2019;11(6):2152. doi:10.4022/jafib.2152. PMID: 31384367; PMCID: PMC6652787. Cited by: 1
• Oikonomou E, Lazaros G, Tsalamandris S, Vogiatzi G, Christoforatou E, Papakonstantinou M, Goliopoulou A, Tousouli M, Chasikidis C, Tousoulis D. Reply: Possible Effect of Alcohol Consumption on Aortic Dilatation by Inducing the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System. Angiology. 2019 Nov;70(10):980-981. doi: 10.1177/0003319719865671. Epub 2019 Jul 24. PMID: 31339333.
• Papaioannou TG, Oikonomou E, Lazaros G, Christoforatou E, Vogiatzi G, Tsalamandris S, Chasikidis C, Kalambogias A, Mystakidi VX, Galiatsatos N, Santouri M, Latsios G, Deftereos S, Tousoulis D. Aortic stiffening is associated with increased left ventricular mass in women but not in men. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2020 Dec;27(19):2109-2112. doi: 10.1177/2047487319865054. Epub 2019 Jul 16. PMID: 31311304.
• Oikonomou E, Lazaros G, Christoforatou E, Chasikidis C, Vavouranaki G, Vogiatzi G, Papamikroulis GA, Tsalamandris S, Gergiopoulos G, Mazaris S, Theofilis P, Anastasiou M, Galiatsatos N, Tousoulis D. Breakfast association with arterial stiffness and carotid atherosclerotic burden. Insights from the 'Corinthia' study. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2019 Jul;29(7):744-750. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2019.04.008. Epub 2019 May 2. PMID: 31138498. Cited by: 2
• Oikonomou E, Lazaros G, Tsalamandris S, Vogiatzi G, Christoforatou E, Papakonstantinou M, Goliopoulou A, Tousouli M, Chasikidis C, Tousoulis D. Alcohol Consumption and Aortic Root Dilatation: Insights from the Corinthia Study. Angiology. 2019 Nov;70(10):969-977. doi: 10.1177/0003319719848172. Epub 2019 May 7. PMID: 31064194. Cited by: 1
• Papaioannou TG, Oikonomou E, Lazaros G, Christoforatou E, Vogiatzi G, Tsalamandris S, Chasikidis C, Kalambogias A, Mystakidi VX, Galiatsatos N, Santouri M, Latsios G, Deftereos S, Tousoulis D. The influence of resting heart rate on pulse wave velocity measurement is mediated by blood pressure and depends on aortic stiffness levels: insights from the Corinthia study. Physiol Meas. 2019 Jun 4;40(5):055005. doi: 10.1088/1361-6579/ab165f. PMID: 30952147. Cited by: 9
• Lazaros G, Oikonomou E, Vogiatzi G, Christoforatou E, Tsalamandris S, Goliopoulou A, Tousouli M, Mystakidou V, Chasikidis C, Tousoulis D. The impact of sedentary behavior patterns on carotid atherosclerotic burden: Implications from the Corinthia epidemiological study. Atherosclerosis. 2019 Mar;282:154-161. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2019.01.026. Epub 2019 Jan 29. PMID: 30735857. Cited by: 1
• Papaioannou TG, Oikonomou E, Lazaros G, Christoforatou E, Vogiatzi G, Tsalamandris S, Chasikidis C, Kalambogias A, Mavratzas T, Stofa E, Mystakidi VC, Latsios G, Deftereos S, Tousoulis D. Arterial stiffness and subclinical aortic damage of reclassified subjects as stage 1 hypertension according to the new 2017 ACC/AHA blood pressure guidelines. Vasa. 2019 May;48(3):236-243. doi: 10.1024/0301-1526/a000765. Epub 2018 Dec 10. PMID: 30526401. Cited by: 1
• Oikonomou E, Lazaros G, Georgiopoulos G, Christoforatou E, Papamikroulis GA, Vogiatzi G, Chasikidis C, Zacharia E, Giannaki A, Bourouki E, Mavratzas T, Stofa E, Papakonstantinou M, Tousouli M, Tousoulis D. Environment and cardiovascular disease: rationale of the Corinthia study. Hellenic J Cardiol. 2016 May-Jun;57(3):194-197. doi: 10.1016/j.hjc.2016.06.001. Epub 2016 Jun 23. PMID: 27451913. Cited by: 2
• Arbelo E, Brugada J, Hindricks G, et al, Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Pilot Study Investigators: Brugada J, Arbelo E, Hindriks G,... Christoforatou E et al. The atrial fibrillation ablation pilot study: a European Survey on Methodology and results of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation conducted by the European Heart Rhythm Association. Eur Heart J. 2014;35(22):1466‐1478. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehu001. Epub 2014 Jan 31. PMID: 24487524. Cited by: 47
• Arbelo E, Brugada J, Hindricks G, et al, Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Pilot Study Investigators: Brugada J, Arbelo E, Hindriks G,... Christoforatou E, et al. ESC-EURObservational Research Programme: the Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Pilot Study, conducted by the European Heart Rhythm Association. Europace. 2012;14(8):1094‐1103. doi:10.1093/europace/eus153. Epub 2012 May 24. PMID: 22628450. Cited by: 29
• Vlachopoulos C, Xaplanteris P, Sambatakou H, Mariolis E, Bratsas A, Christoforatou E, Miliou A, Aznaouridis K, Stefanadis C. Acute systemic inflammation induced by influenza A (H1N1) vaccination causes a deterioration in endothelial function in HIV-infected patients. HIV Med. 2011 Nov;12(10):594-601. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1293.2011.00935.x. Epub 2011 Jun 5. PMID: 21645196. Cited by: 5
• Tsiachris D, Chrysohoou C, Oikonomou E, Lazaros G, Dimitriadis K, Maragiannis D, Roussos D, Andreou I, Tsantilas A, Christoforatou E, Pitsavos C, Panagiotakos D, Stefanadis C. Distinct role of electrocardiographic criteria in echocardiographic diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy according to age, in the general population: the Ikaria Study. J Hypertens. 2011 Aug;29(8):1624-32. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0b013e3283487780. PMID: 21610511. Cited by: 6
• Aggeli C, Giannopoulos G, Roussakis G, Christoforatou E, Marinos G, Toli C, Pitsavos C, Stefanadis C. Safety of myocardial flash-contrast echocardiography in combination with dobutamine stress testing for the detection of ischaemia in 5250 studies. Heart. 2008 Dec;94(12):1571-7. doi: 10.1136/hrt.2007.135145. Epub 2008 May 12. PMID: 18474538. Cited by: 13
• Aggeli C, Christoforatou E, Giannopoulos G, Roussakis G, Kokkinakis C, Barbetseas J, Vlachopoulos C, Stefanadis C. The diagnostic value of adenosine stress-contrast echocardiography for diagnosis of coronary artery disease in hypertensive patients: comparison to Tl-201 single-photon emission computed tomography. Am J Hypertens. 2007 May;20(5):533-8. doi: 10.1016/j.amjhyper.2006.10.003. PMID: 17485016. Cited by: 7
• Aggeli C, Giannopoulos G, Roussakis G, Christoforatou E, Marinos G, Brili S, Barbetseas J, Stefanadis C. Pre-ejection tissue-Doppler velocity changes during low dose dobutamine stress predict segmental myocardial viability. Hellenic J Cardiol. 2007 Jan-Feb;48(1):23-9. PMID: 17388106. Cited by: 1
• Aggeli C, Giannopoulos G, Misovoulos P, Roussakis G, Christoforatou E, Kokkinakis C, Brili S, Stefanadis C. Real-time three-dimensional dobutamine stress echocardiography for coronary artery disease diagnosis: validation with coronary angiography. Heart. 2007 Jun;93(6):672-5. doi: 10.1136/hrt.2006.101220. Epub 2006 Nov 3. PMID: 17085530; PMCID: PMC1955206. Cited by: 10
• Karavidas A, Lazaros G, Matsakas E, Kouvousis N, Samara C, Christoforatou E, Zacharoulis A. Early pacemaker lead thrombosis leading to massive pulmonary embolism. Echocardiography. 2004 Jul;21(5):429-32. doi: 10.1111/j.0742-2822.2004.03078.x. PMID: 15209722. Cited by: 7
• Kouvousis N, Lazaros G, Christoforatou E, Deftereos S, Petropoulou-Milona D, Lelekis M, Zacharoulis A. Pacemaker pocket infection due to acremonium species. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2002 Mar;25(3):378-9. doi: 10.1046/j.1460-9592.2002.00378.x. PMID: 11990673. Cited by: 2

• Hellenic Cardiological Society (HCS)
• Working Group of Pacing and Electrophysiology of the HCS
• Working Group of Echocardiography of the HCS
• Working Group of Valvular Heart Disease, Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension and Pediatric Cardiology of the HCS
• Working Group of Cardiomyopathies, Basic Research and Inherited Heart Diseases of the HCS
• Hellenic Cardiac Electrophysiology Society
• European Society of Cardiology
• European Heart Rhythm Association
• Working Group on Myocardial & Pericardial Diseases of the European Society of Cardiology

Active participation in the implementation of scientific protocols in the Echocardiography, as well as Peripheral Vessels Dept. of the First Department of Cardiology in the “Hippokration” General Hospital (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) in a wide range of scientific research in cardiology, with special emphasis on the following:

• STRESS ECHO studies regarding the assessment of ischemia using dobutamine as well as adenosine and comparison of the results with myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and coronary angiography. Assessment of viability as well as studies concerning the evaluation of the diagnostic value and safety of the method.
• Cardiac dyssynchrony studies using TDI techniques, strain, strain rate.
• Echocardiographic studies concerning the assessment of diastolic function in patients with thalassemia
• Echocardiographic studies in patients with myopathies and rheumatic diseases.
• Echocardiographic studies related to the evaluation of left atrial function and in the identification of indices related to systolic and diastolic function in patients with heart failure.
• Echocardiographic studies on the evaluation of left ventricular and left atrial function in patients with hypertension, peripheral vascular disease and erectile dysfunction.
• Active participation in the main research team of The IKARIA Study
• Active participation in the main research team of The Corinthia Study ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03385122

Active participation in electrophysiological studies, catheter ablation procedures and management of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices:

• Ablation of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation
• 3-D Mapping and ablation of atrial tachycardia
• Mapping and ablation of ventricular arrhythmias
• Participation in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Pilot Study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00744835) Participated as Collaborator

(The results of these studies have been published in peer-review international journals, as well as abstract presentations in national and international congresses)