Nazem Akoum, MD
Professor
Medicine
Adjunct Professor
Bioengineering
Section Chief, Cardiac Electrophysiology
Director, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship
Attending Physician, University of Washington Medical Center

Faculty Information

Biography

Dr. Akoum is the director of the UW atrial fibrillation program and an associate professor of medicine. In addition to his vast expertise in catheter ablation of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, he is also an expert in cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators.

Dr. Akoum conducts research aimed at matching patients with atrial fibrillation to the best treatment option. This personalized approach includes selecting the best candidates for catheter ablation and choosing the ablation approach, novel drugs, and devices to treat the arrythmia and associated stroke risk.

Dr. Akoum is a native of Lebanon and earned his undergraduate degree in Mathematics as well as his medical degree from the American University of Beirut. He came to the United States in 2002 and trained in internal medicine at Indiana University, and cardioloy and cardiac electrophysiology at the Universtiy of Utah. He was on faculty at the University of Utah for five years before joining UW.

Dr. Akoum is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the Rhythm Society, as well as the European Rhythm Association.

Education & Training: 
MS in Clinical Investigation
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
2011
Chief Cardiovascular Disease Fellow
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
2007-2008
MD
American University of Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon
2001
BS in Mathematics
American University of Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon
1997
Honors: 
University of Washington Cardiology Teaching Excellence Award
2016-2017
Northwestern Cardiovascular Young Investigators Forum Finalist
2012
Heart Rhythm Society Young Investigator Competition Finalist, Honorable Mention
2012
Research Scholar in Translational Comparative Effectiveness Research
2011
Northwestern Cardiovascular Young Investigators Forum, Third Place
2011
Fellow of the Year, University of Utah, Division of Cardiology
2008
Housestaff Teaching Award Nominee, University of Utah, Internal Medicine Department
2007
Graduating Resident of the Year Nominee, Indiana University
2005
Resident Research Award, Indiana University, Department of Medicine, First Prize
2004
Contact
Mailing Address: 

University of Washington Medical Center

1959 NE Pacific Street

Box 356422

Seattle, WA 98195-6422

 

Non-Clinical Administrative Support Contact:

Lori Joubert

ljoubert@cardiology.washington.edu

 

For appointments or other clinical matters, please contact the Heart Institute.

 

Research & Clinical Interests
Research Interests: 
  • Cryptogenic Stroke
  • Embolic Stroke of Unknown Source
  • Catheter Ablation Outcomes
  • Imaging in Electrophysiology
Clinical Interests: 
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Arrhythmia and Electrophysiologic Diagnosis and Therapy
  • Cardiovascular Disease
Publications