Profile

KONSTANTINOS KOUVELAS

CARDIOLOGIST -  ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIST

EXTERNAL ASSOCIATE
  1. General
  • Education & Academic Titles
    • 1993 – 1999: Degree in Medicine (MD), Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Grade: "Very Good", 8.10/10)
    • November 28 – 30, 2002: 23rd Seminar on Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Athens Naval Hospital
    • June 19, 2003 – March 20, 2005: Residency in Internal Medicine, 1st Department of Internal Medicine – Infectious Diseases Unit, "G. Gennimatas" Athens General Hospital 
    • November 24 – 25, 2009: Training Program "Implant Skills Builder Part 1 – Module 3: Building Hands-On & Building", Tolochenaz, Switzerland
    • March 2010 – October 2010: Training Program "Beating Heart Curriculum – CRT Module"
    • July 2007 – October 2011: Residency in Cardiology, 2nd Department of Cardiology, Hellenic Red Cross Hospital (Korgialenio-Benakio)
    • November 2011: Board Certification in Cardiology (Medical Specialty Title)
    • July 2017: Certification in Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs) by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)
    • July 2017: Attainment of title "EHRA Certified Cardiac Device Specialist Level 1"
    • March 2021: Accreditation as Scientific Director of the Pacemaker - Defibrillator Center at IASO General Hospital (Government Gazette/FEK Issue B’ 1073 / 19.03.2021, pp. 13008-13009)
  • Doctoral Thesis
    • Status: In writing phase
    • Topic: "Comparative study of voriconazole versus fluconazole or liposomal amphotericin B in the treatment of experimental left-sided Candida albicans endocarditis
  • Professional Experience
    • March 2021 – Present: Associate Cardiologist – Electrophysiologist, Heart Rhythm Center & 3rd Department of Cardiology, IASO Hospital
    • July 2019 – Present: Private Cardiology Practice, 5 Sofouli St., Pefki, PC: 15121
    • September 2023 – Present: Attending Cardiologist, Athens Hospital (General Clinic)
    • June 2022 – Present: Scientific Director of the Arrhythmia Outpatient Clinic, Athens Hospital (General Clinic)
    • July 2019 – August 2021: Associate Cardiologist – Electrophysiologist, Electrophysiology Department and Department of Cardiology, Bioclinic Athens
    • July 2019 – August 2021: Consultant Cardiologist, BIOIATRIKI Healthcare Group
    • January 2019 – June 2019: Attending Physician, 1st Department of Cardiology, MITERA Hospital (HYGEIA Group)
    • May 2015 – December 2018: Attending Physician, 2nd Department of Cardiology, Hellenic Red Cross Hospital (Korgialenio-Benakio) | Head of the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), Head of the Arrhythmia and Anticoagulation Outpatient Clinic
    • February 2013 – March 2015: Director – Scientific Head of the Department of Cardiology, GALINOS Hospital, Athens
    • January 2012 – January 2013: Attending Cardiologist, GAIA Gynecology Clinic, Athens Medical Center (Marousi)
    • July 2007 – October 2011: Resident in Cardiology, 2nd Department of Cardiology, Hellenic Red Cross Hospital (Korgialenio-Benakio)
    • January 2006 – July 2007: Scientific Associate, 4th Department of Internal Medicine, University of Athens & Research Laboratory of Infections and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, "Attikon" University General Hospital
    • June 2003 – March 2005: Resident in Internal Medicine, 1st Department of Internal Medicine – Infectious Diseases Unit, "G. Gennimatas" Athens General Hospital
    • April 2002 – December 2002: Clinical Assistant in Cardiology, 1st Department of Cardiology, Athens Naval Hospital
    • May 2001 – April 2002: Head of Outpatient Clinics, Salamis Naval Hospital /  Chief Medical Officer on the ammunition transport vessel "EVROS"
    • September 1999 – February 2001: Compulsory Primary Care Service, Pylos Health Center, Messinia, Greece
  • Clinical Interest
    • Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices for heart rhythm management (Pacemakers, Defibrillators, Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy – CRT systems, Implantable Loop Recorders / Holter)
    • Heart Failure
    • Anticoagulant Therapy
  • Recent Publications
    • Ioannidis P, Gerontitis D, Katsaras D, Tsonona V, Charalambopoulos P, Samara D, Vassilopoulos A, Kouvelas K, Christoforatou E, Katsivas A. Hybrid Pentaspline Pulsed-Field and Radiofrequency Ablation for Left Atrial Mitral Isthmus Block: Acute and Long-term Outcomes. Heart Rhythm O2. 2026; in press. doi: 10.1016/j.hroo.2026.04.028.
    • Ioannidis P, Gerontitis D, Tsonona V, Charalambopoulos P, Samara D, Vassilopoulos A, Kouvelas K, Christoforatou E, Katsaras D. Combined Pulsed Field and Radiofrequency Ablation for Coexisting Atrial Tachycardia During or After Atrial Fibrillation Ablation. Interventional and Clinical Outcomes. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2026 Aug;37(8):1643-1655. doi: 10.1111/jce.70389. Epub 2026 Jun 1. PMID: 42226476.
    • Ioannidis P, Katsaras D, Zografos T, Charalambopoulos P, Kouvelas K, Tsitsinakis G, Raitsos-Exarchopoulos I, Kappou T, Zagoraios A, Ganas P, Vassilopoulos A, Xylakis E, Christoforatou E. Box Lesion Isolation of the Left Atrial Posterior Wall with Radiofrequency Ablation Restricted in Predetermined Lines for the Treatment of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: The Prognostic Role of Acute Interventional Outcome and Trigger Identification. J Innov Card Rhythm Manag. 2023 Nov 15;14(11):5642-5653. doi: 10.19102/icrm.2023.14115.
    • 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 Jul-Aug;21(4):245-247. doi: 10.1016/j.ipej.2021.04.005.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Tzeis S, Asvestas D, Moraitis N, Vardas EP, Mililis P, Letsas K, Kouvelas K, Nikita KS, Vardas P. Safety of smartwatches and their chargers in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices. Europace. 2021 Jan 27;23(1):99-103. doi: 10.1093/europace/euaa220.
    • Manolis A, Kouvelas K et al. ICD implantation for primary SCD prevention in the era of the economic crisis. XXVIIes JOURNEES EUROPEENES Paris 2017. Archives of cardiovascular diseases 2017.
    • Kouvelas K , Oikonomides DL et al. Ongoing Atrial Fibrillation Registry-Anticoagulation management. Eurothrombosis, 1 Oct 2016.
    • Manolis A, Kouvelas K et al. Circadian behavior of RR intervals ventricular tachycardia cycle length stability in heart failure ICD recipients. Archives of cardiovascular diseases 2015; Vol 7 (No 1) (Special issue): p.p. 70 (Abstract 346).
    • Maniotis C, Kouvelas K et al. Implantable loop recorder and syncope rhythm correlation. Hospital Chronicles 2014; 9 (suppl I): 1-3.
    • Manolis AG, Kouvelas KG, Maniotis CD. Regular tachycardia terminated by ventricular anti-tachycardia pacing in an ICD recipient. What is the mechanism? Acta Cardiol. 2013 Aug;68(4):443-5. doi: 10.1080/ac.68.4.2988902.
    • Maniotis C, Kouvelas K et al. Ventricular tachycardia recognized as ventricular fibrillation due to double counting of the QRS complex. Hospital Chronicles 2013; 1:16-19.
    • Manolis A, Kouvelas K et al. Prevalence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in ICD treated patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Archives of cardiovascular diseases 2013; vol.5 (No 1) (special issue): p.p. 59 (abstract 180).
    • Maniotis C, Kouvelas K et al. ICD misdiagnosis due to double counting. Athens Cardiology update 2012. Athens, Greece. Hospital Chronicles 2012; 7(suppl. 1): p.p. 100 (abstract).
    • Manolis A, Kouvelas K et al. Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy in Heart Failure patients with Atrial Fibrillation. MESPE 2012(Suppl 1). Proceedings of the 8th International MESPE Congress; p.p. 37-39.
    • Manolis A, Kouvelas K et al. Nightmare regularity of ventricular tachycardia R-R intervals in ICD treated patients. XXIIes JOURNEES EUROPEENES Paris 2012.
    • Manolis A, Kouvelas K et al. Arrhythmic storm in non ischemic patients treated with ICD Device for primary prevention. Long term follow up and prognosis. XXIes JOURNEES EUROPEENES Paris 2011. Archives of cardiovascular diseases 2011; Vol 3 (No 1) (Special issue): p.p. 67 (Abstract C 209).
    • Nikitas G, Kouvelas K, Kyriakides Z. Bidirectional ventricular tachycardia. Hospital Chronicles 2011; 6(1):42-44.
    • Manolis A, Kouvelas K et al. CRT Responders. Nychtamer dynamicity of Ventricular Repolarization during Biventricular pacing vs Unichamber Pacing. XXes JOURNEES EUROPEENES. Paris 2010, Archives of cardiovascular diseases 2010; Vol 2 (No 1) (Special issue): p.p. 67 (Abstract C 211).
    • Nikitas G, Kouvelas K, Manolis A. Recurrent Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias following acute myocardial infarction and the role of primary coronary intervention. MESPE: 2010; 12:45-46.
    • Giannitsioti E, Athanasia S, Antoniadou A, Fytrou H, Athanassiou K, Bourvani P, Kanellakopoulou K, Kouvelas K, Papadopoulos A, Plachouras D, Giamarellou H. Does a bed rail system of alcohol-based handrub antiseptic improve compliance of health care workers with hand hygiene? Results from a pilot study. Am J Infect Control. 2009 Mar;37(2):160-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2008.04.252.
    • Manolis AG, Chatzis D, Kouvelas KG. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator lead diaphragmatic perforation. Europace. 2009 Feb;11(2):271. doi: 10.1093/europace/eun334.
    • Manolis A, Chatzis D, Kouvelas K et al. Arrhythmic burden during conventional atrial pacing at high rates vs atrial pacing with algorithms for the prevention of atrial fibrillation paroxysms. XIXes JOURNEES EUROPEENES 14-17 Janvier 2009 (βιβλίο περιλήψεων).
    • Manolis AG, Chatzis DG, Kouvelas K, Kyriakides ZS. Partial inhibition of ongoing antitachycardia pacing sequence due to T-wave oversensing. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2008 Jun;31(6):780-1. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2008.01087.x.
    • Manolis AG, Kourouklis S, Chatzis D, Kouvelas K, Kyriakides Z. Irregular ventricular tachycardia underdetected by implantable cardioverter defibrillator device. Cardiol J. 2008;15(3):281-3.
    • Kouvelas KG , Manolis A. QT interval Prolongation: Should the Cardiologist worry about the treatment? MESPE, Vol.9, n.2, April-June 2007.
  • Membership in Societies and Editorial Boards
    • Hellenic Cardiological Society
    • European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
    • Working Group on Electrophysiology & Pacing of the Hellenic Cardiological Society