Profile

Faculty Appointments

Lecturer of Cardiology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens 2004-2008

Assistant Professor of Cardiology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens 2008-2012

Associate Professor of Cardiology at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, 2012 - 2017

Professor of Cardiology at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, 2017 - August 2025.

Adjunct Preofessor of Cardiology, at the Ohio State University,Ohio, USA, 2014.

 

Other appointments

Medical Staff Appointment, Doctors Hospital, Columbus Ohio, USA (1994).

 

Education

• Medical School : National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School 1977-1983

Honorary Scholarship on the 6^th year for excellent performance from the National Foundation of Scholarship:

• Internal Medicine Residency at North East Ohio University, USA (1988-1991)
• Board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine 1991
• Fellowship in Cardiology : Ohio State University, USA 1991-1994
• Interventional Fellow in Cardiology, Ohio State University 1993-1994
• Board certified-Diplomate in Cardiovascular Disease-by the American Board of Internal Medicine  1995
• Certified in Cardiology by Hellenic Ministry of Health (1995).
• Board certified-Diplomate in Interventional Cardiology-by the American Board of Internal Medicine in 2002
• Certified by the Hellenic Ministry of Health in all structural Heart Disease Interventions.

 

Other Certifications – Qualifications

Proctor In TAVI (Medtronic , Abbott)

Proctor in Paravalvular leak closure (Abbott)

Proctor in Transcatheter edge to edge mitral valve therapy, MitraClip (Abbott)

Proctor in ASD, PFO closure (Abbott, Occlutec)

Certified and performing Tricuspid valve edge to edge therapy (Pascal)

• Certified training in ileofemoral and renal percutaneous interventions (Cordis Technology Forum-European Surgical Institute) (2006)
• Certified for performing Excimer Laser, Directional Atherectomy
  

 

Scientific Membership

FACC since 1996

FESC since 2002

FSCI&A since 2003

Member of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology since 1995

Member of the Hellenic working group of interventional Cardiology since 1995

 

Medical Licences

1. Medical License in Greece (since 28/3/1984)
2. Medical License in Ohio State, USA (since 1991 )

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 1997
Title: Mitral Valve Prolapse. Hemodynamic Study
Grade: Excellent

• Chairman 4^th Cardiology Clinic, IASO General Hospital. (1-10-2025 – today)
• Chairman 3d Cardiology Depertment of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Greece. (2017 - 2025).
• Medical Staff Appointment,   DoctorsHospital Columbus Ohio, U.S.A. (1994).

 

Other Clinical Supervisory and Training Responsibilities

• Chairman and Director of Catheterization Laboratory at the 3d Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
• Co-Director of the Coronary Care Unit of the 1^st Department of Cardiology, University of Athens Geece.
• Co-Director of the Unit of Valvular Heart Disease of the 1^st Department of Cardiology, University of Athens Geece
• In Charge of Transcatheter Treatment of Structural Heart Disease program at 1^st Department of Cardiology, University of Athens Geece, which is focused on percutaneous treatment of ASD, PFO, PDA Paravalvular leaks, Valvuloplasties, TAVI
• Active Interventional Cardiologist at 1^st Department of Cardiology, University of Athens Geece, since 1995, in charge of Cath lab schedule.
• In charge of the Cardiology fellowship program in the 1^st Department of Cardiology, University of Athens, Greece. 

Over the last 20 years I have performed most of the interventional techniques applying to Coronary and Structural Heart Diseases in addition to my clinical Cardiology practice. I have performed high skilled techniques treating structural heart disease problems leading to publication in well-known international, peer review, journals, and introducing techniques that can improve patients’ outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation by reducing vascular complications and optimize final device position.

 I have performed the first Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Implantation, of Medtronic Core Valve, in 2008, in Greece and I was the first Cardiologist to become certified for this procedure in Greece. Subsequently, I was able to develop the greatest experience in this field, in my country, with more than 700 cases as primary operator, since 2008. As a result, I was the first Greek Cardiologist to become International Proctor with the Medtronic Core Valve and subsequently was able to develop the greatest experience in this field, in my country. From this position, I have been proctoring interventional cardiologists who want to be trained in TAVI procedures in several University Hospitals, more than 100 proctored implantations up to now, (University of Patras, University of Crete, University of Ioannina), The Greek Army Hospital in Athens and Private Hospitals (Athens Medical Center, Interbalcan Medical Center-Thessaloniki, Mediteraneo Hospital-Athens, Iaso General Hospital, Eriko Dunant Hospital) as well as abroad, in Europe (Finland). I have been invited to give lectures, present papers or be part of the panels in international meetings organized by foreign Universities or Cardiological Societies such as Imperial Valve and Cardiovascular Course (Imperial College, London UK), London PCR, EuroPCR, Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT).

In addition, over the years I have gained great experience with most of the available transcatheter implanted aortic valves (Abbot, Edwards) and I am also Proctor for transcatheter aortic valve implantation with Abbott.

Furthermore, I have been invited to be an official reviewer of the Practice Guidelines for valvular heart disease that will be published in 2017 by the European Society of Cardiology, Committee for Practice Guidelines (CPG).

I have been one of the three directors of the International Athens Proctor Meeting 2016 for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation, a meeting where a lot of worldwide experts participated. 

This experience has been transmitted to medical students, fellows and other cardiologists and reflected in several invited presentations at international meetings and several undergoing research projects.

Our department has also significant experience in performing transcatheter valvuloplasties on pulmonic, and mitral valve (especially retrograde approach which was invented in our institution). Recently I introduced and published a new technique on performing mitral valve valvuloplasty with the anterograde approach using electrophysiology techniques.

I have established the program of Transcatheter Treatment of Structural Heart Disease in the University of Athens, Greece, which has been running over the last years with more than 150 patients with Structural Heart disease being treated. I was initially trained and certified in closure of Atrial Septal Defects, in November 2009, by Professor Bernhard Meier, Bern, Switzerland. Subsequently, I expand the spectrum of disease that are treated at the 1^st Department of Cardiology, University of Athens, which includes currently Atrial Septal Defects, Patent Foramen Ovale with associated ischemic stroke, Paravalvular Leaks, Aortic Pseudo aneurysms after cardiac surgery, patent Ductus Arteriosus and Ventricular Septal Defects after acute myocardial infarction, all of which has enable us to produce a significant number of publications. I have performed more than 200 cases of ASD/PFO closure guided by intracardiac or Transesophageal 2D/3D ECHO. As a result I have been invited by the president of the ESC council on Stroke, Prof. Petr. Widimsky to become a member the council, which I accepted

I have been performing Primary Rescue and Elective coronary angioplasties and a wide spectrum of coronary interventions for the last 20 years (including left main disease bifurcations, CTOs) and I am enrolled in the Cath lab ‘on call schedule’ for primary PCIs in patients with acute myocardial infarction. I am experienced with all the techniques available in the Catheterization Laboratory and have used them in clinical research protocols. I have been certified and have obtained a large experience in most of the coronary interventional techniques including Rotablation, - Intracardiac ECHO, IVUS, FFR.

I have performed interventional procedure on live presentations in well-known interventional cardiology meetings such as valvuloplasty of stenosed mitral valve with the retrograde approach at the «Course on Revascularization», Paris 1999 and Thermography at the Joint Interventional Meeting 2003, Rome and at Athens Interventional Cardiology from 2000 up to 2011.

In addition, after invitation to the 1^st department of Cardiology, University of Athens, I have instructed cardiologist in other countries on how to perform innovated interventional techniques (Hospital Tenon 25/11/1999, mitral valve valvuloplasty; Pressure wire invited by Professor Dan Deleneou 15-16/3/1998; Thermography at Centrum Cardiology Clinic-affiliated with Red Cross Hospital, Frankfurt (27 -28/11/2002).

I have been enrolled in national and international clinical trials as primary investigator, or co-investigator; Action Study AZstudy, GUSTO-4, ARTS-2, Hellenic Endocarditis Study Group (2007), TIMI 9, TIMI 17, TIMI 14, with the most recent running multicenter international studies in which I am the P.I. for my center, being GLACOV trial, (the trial evaluates regression of coronary atherosclerotic plaque with IVUS –VH while treated with evolocumab), (USA code trial 20120153) and the Redual trial.

I have been member of the committee that wrote the Greek Guidelines for Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.

• 2003 Best oral presentations. 24th National Hellenic Cardiology congress.
• 2008. Best oral presentations 29th National Hellenic Cardiology congress. 
• 2006 First prize for research project. 3rd International Greek Biotechnology Forum. 

• Publications (Vavuranakis M, Vavouranakis M) : Medline 307, Scopus 308
• Citations Google Scholar: 20.495
• H-Index Google Scholar: 46
• Chairman in meetings : >300
• Organizing cardiology congresses : 28
• Reviewer: 28
• Lectures in National and International meetings: >500

 

Recent Publications

• Lipoprotein(a) in Atherosclerotic Diseases: From Pathophysiology to Diagnosis and Treatment.
• Lampsas S, Xenou M, Oikonomou E, Pantelidis P, Lysandrou A, Sarantos S, Goliopoulou A, Kalogeras K, Tsigkou V, Kalpis A, Paschou SA, Theofilis P, Vavuranakis M, Tousoulis D, Siasos G. Molecules. 2023 Jan 18;28(3):969. doi: 10.3390/molecules28030969.PMID: 36770634  Free PMC article.  Review.

 

• Novel Biomarkers and Their Role in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome.
• Katsioupa M, Kourampi I, Oikonomou E, Tsigkou V, Theofilis P, Charalambous G, Marinos G, Gialamas I, Zisimos K, Anastasiou A, Katsianos E, Kalogeras K, Katsarou O, Vavuranakis M, Siasos G, Tousoulis D. Life (Basel). 2023 Sep 29;13(10):1992. doi: 10.3390/life13101992.PMID: 37895374  Free PMC article.  Review.

 

• Septic Cardiomyopathy: Difficult Definition, Challenging Diagnosis, Unclear Treatment.
• Zakynthinos GE, Giamouzis G, Xanthopoulos A, Oikonomou E, Kalogeras K, Karavidas N, Dimeas IE, Gialamas I, Gounaridi MI, Siasos G, Vavuranakis M, Zakynthinos E, Tsolaki V. J Clin Med. 2025 Feb 4;14(3):986. doi: 10.3390/jcm14030986.PMID: 39941657  Free PMC article.  Review.

 

• Health economics.
• Papaioannou TG, Karamanou M, Vavuranakis M, Tousoulis D. Lancet. 2017 May 13;389(10082):1879. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30048-X. Epub 2017 May 11.PMID: 28513443 No abstract available.

 

• MicroRNAs in cardiovascular disease.
• Siasos G, Bletsa E, Stampouloglou PK, Oikonomou E, Tsigkou V, Paschou SA, Vlasis K, Marinos G, Vavuranakis M, Stefanadis C, Tousoulis D. Hellenic J Cardiol. 2020 May-Jun;61(3):165-173. doi: 10.1016/j.hjc.2020.03.003. Epub 2020 Apr 17.PMID: 32305497  Free article.  Review.

 

• Inflammatory Biomarkers in Atrial Fibrillation.
• Zacharia E, Papageorgiou N, Ioannou A, Siasos G, Papaioannou S, Vavuranakis M, Latsios G, Vlachopoulos C, Toutouzas K, Deftereos S, Providência R, Tousoulis D. Curr Med Chem. 2019;26(5):837-854. doi: 10.2174/0929867324666170727103357.PMID: 28748764 Review.

 

• Diabetes Mellitus in Acute Coronary Syndrome.
• Stampouloglou PK, Anastasiou A, Bletsa E, Lygkoni S, Chouzouri F, Xenou M, Katsarou O, Theofilis P, Zisimos K, Tousoulis D, Vavuranakis M, Siasos G, Oikonomou E. Life (Basel). 2023 Nov 19;13(11):2226. doi: 10.3390/life13112226.PMID: 38004366  Free PMC article.  Review.

 

• Atrial Fibrillation: Biomarkers Determining Prognosis.
• Mazaris S, Siasos G, Oikonomou E, Tsigkou V, Vavuranakis M, Kokkou E, Zaromitidou M, Papamikroulis GA, Papavassiliou AG, Papaioannou S, Papageorgiou N, Latsios G, Stefanadis C, Tousoulis D. Curr Med Chem. 2019;26(5):909-915. doi: 10.2174/0929867324666170727115642.PMID: 28748766 Review.

 

• Antithrombotic therapy in TAVI.
• Vavuranakis M , Kalogeras K, Kolokathis AM, Vrachatis D, Magkoutis N, Siasos G, Oikonomou E, Kariori M, Papaioannou T, Lavda M, Moldovan C, Katsarou O, Tousoulis D. J Geriatr Cardiol. 2018 Jan;15(1):66-75. doi: 10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2018.01.001.PMID: 29434628  Free PMC article.  Review.

 

• Novel Inflammatory Indices in Aortic Disease.
• Vavuranakis M , Kariori M, Vrachatis D, Siasos G, Kalogeras K, Bei E, Moldovan C, Lavda M, Aznaouridis K, Oikonomou E, Tousoulis D. Curr Med Chem. 2015;22(23):2762-72. doi: 10.2174/0929867322666150630141035.PMID: 26122500 Review.

 

• Managing complications in transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
• Vavuranakis M , Vrachatis DA, Siasos G, Aznaouridis K, Vaina S, Moldovan C, Kalogeras K, Kariori M, Bei E, Papaioannou TG, Vavuranakis MA, Kolokathis AM, Stefanadis C, Tousoulis D. Hellenic J Cardiol. 2015;56 Suppl A:20-30.PMID: 26021340  Free

Scientific Membership

FACC since 1996

FESC since 2002

FSCI&A since 2003

Member of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology since 1995

Member of the Hellenic working group of interventional Cardiology since 1995

 

Medical Licences

• Medical License in Greece (since 28/3/1984)
• Medical License in Ohio State, USA (since 1991 still active)

My research has been focused over the last 20 years in clinical cardiology with emphasis into the field of of Coronary and Structural Heart Disease, Coronary physiology and hemodynamics, platelet function in acute Coronary Syndromes and identification of vulnerable plaque. This work has resulted in several manuscripts that have been published in well-esteemed medical journals and provided data for the production of PhDs under my supervision, by young cardiologists. Specifically, the activities of my research are:

Research work related to my PhD

My PhD was related to the hemodynamic evaluation as well as LV function and shape, in patients with symptomatic mitral valve prolapse that were admitted with chest pain and had normal coronary arteries. This work has been citated in several publications including the Adult Clinical Cardiology Shelf Assessment Program 1995-1996, Section 7,Valvular Disease, reference 22.

Structural Heart Disease Unit

I led the Structural Heart Disease Unit at the 1st Department of Cardiology, University of Athens, overseeing procedures such as ASD and PFO closure, paravalvular leak closure, PDA closure, LAA closure, and aortic pseudoaneurysm repair post-cardiac surgery.  

The appraisal on percutaneous treatment of ASD and its consequences on left atrial function has been another area of research. Left atrial function has also been studied with the use of a steerable catheter permitting retrograde approach of the left atrium.

Valvular Heart Disease Unit

As the director of the unit, the research on Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation has been focused on evaluation of currently available techniques, for improving deployment of the bioprosthetic valve and patients ‘outcome. A database has been created and used for the last 5 years to record patients’ clinical and procedural characteristics and provide long term follow up. This has served as the source for clinical research and several publications. Some of the PhDs that are accomplished under my supervision are related to the work that is done in this Program. A close collaboration with other departments (Radiology) has provided further imaging research opportunities in the evaluation of transcatheter implanted valves and research protocols are running.

Other clinical research projects include participation in funded clinical trials. I have designed and produce the protocol of a multicenter trial PTOLEMEOS study (code: D5130C00173), ELKE code: 12885) evaluating the optimal antiplatelet therapy during Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

The HYDRA trial HYDRA “A Clinical Evaluation of the HYDRA Self Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve”. protocol: VI-CL-HYDRA-02 – ELKE code: 13666., in which trial I am P.I. for our center, is evaluating a new Transcatheter Aortic valve prosthesis.

Unit of Biomedical Technology

I have been involved in the creation and operation of this unit from the first years of my academic career. Initially as the director and later as active participant I have organized several research protocols and projects.  These are focusing in the use of new imaging techniques, for the detection of neovascularization in atherosclerotic plaques in both experimental and clinical settings. The identification of vasa vasorum and their growth into the vessel wall during atherosclerotic plaque development, in both coronary and carotid plaques, has been achieved via Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound. This project is performed with collaboration with the Department of Computer Sciences of the University of Houston and the Association for Eradication of Heart Attack.

I used mathematical algorithms to analyze intracoronary pressure signals and develop models to study coronary microcirculation function.

I have assessed the available diagnostic modalities that are in clinical use for measuring the elastic properties of the human arterial bed and performed studies evaluating the elastic properties of the aorta.

Furthermore, the elastic properties of the coronary arteries with an innovating technique that permitted simultaneous recordings of pressure and area recordings (IVUS loaded on coronary Pressure Wire) have also been studied and reported.

In addition, the mathematic analysis of pressure wave forms obtain by intracoronary pressure wire has also been the focus of my research signals.

As part of the research activities of this unit we have studied platelet function and reactivity in patients with acute coronary syndromes, the significance of residual reactivity in myocardial perfusion after primary PCI and its long-term consequences. Furthermore, we participated in the GRAPE, multicenter Greek registry which has provided significant information on platelet use in patients with acute coronary syndromes and led to several publication.

Coronary stents

I have studied the evaluation of coronary artery atherosclerotic disease with intracoronary ultrasound and how stent expansion is achieved in calcified coronary lession.

Remodeling process of the coronary arteries of diabetic patients.

I have performed clinical studies with coronary covered stents.

Vulnerable plaque-Thermography

Evaluation of coronary arterial vulnerability with the use of coronary thermography a novel method developed in our department This modality has facilitate the identification of vulnerable plaques but also has been used as a tool for identification of the vulnerable patient by measuring coronary sinus temperature.

Coronary artery fistulae.

Extensive review of the database in which there were reports of 33.600 patients. Patients with coronary artery fistulae were identified and coronary angiograms were reviewed.

My work has been cited in the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Guidelines for Coronary Angiography, JACC 1999, Vol.33, Issue 6, 1756-1824, ref 376 : Vavouranakis M et al: Coronary artery fistulas in adults: Incidence, angiographic characteristics, natural history. Catheter Cardiovasc Diagn1995,35:116-120), and in the textbook of Hurst's,12th edition: p.1198/Part 6, ref. 76. Vavuranakis M et al: Coronary artery fistulas in adults: Incidence, angiographic characteristics, natural history. Catheter Cardiovasc Diagn 1995,35:116-120.

Funded Research Programs

1. Primary investigator. «Study of the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque with intracoronary ultrasound». [70/4/9148, n.p.. 21960/29.05.06]. 2007-2008.
2. Primary investigator: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Open Label, Blinded Endpoint, Phase 3 Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Prophylactic Ticagrelor with Acetylsalicylic Acid versus Clopidogrel with Acetylsalicylic Acid in the Development of Cerebrovascular Embolic Events during Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) Operations – the PTOLEMEOS study (code: D5130C00173)-  ELKE code: 12885.
3. Co-investigator in HYDRA “A Clinical Evaluation of the HYDRA Self Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve”. Protocol: VI-CL-HYDRA-02 – code ELKE: 13666.
4. Co-investigator in GLAGOV. “Global Assessment of Plaque regression With a PCSK9 antibody as Measured by intravascular Ultrasound”. (code :20120153 – code ELKE:12182).
5. Co-investigator in OLE “Extension (OLE) Study to Assess Safety and Efficacy of Evolocumab”, (code :20140128 – code ELKE:12983).
6. Co-investigator in REDUAL. “Evaluation of Dual Therapy with Dabigatran vs. Triple Therapy with Warfarin in Patients With AF That Undergo a PCI With Stenting (REDUAL-PCI)” (code:1160.186 – code ELKE:12781).

A.     Teaching medical Students and post-graduation students

As a Faculty Member of the University of Athens initially as a Lecturer and afterwards as an Assistant professor, Associate Professor and Professor of Cardiology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, I have been teaching medical students, residents and fellows in clinical wards, in the coronary care unit and in the catheterization laboratory over the last 16 years. As a teacher I have devoted a great amount of personal effort and interest to daily educational activities, leading to high appreciation among medical students, as I receive from their feedback.

In particular, I had been teaching medical students who are on their 5^th year all aspects of Clinical Cardiology, with emphasis on history and clinical examination at bedside and familiarizing them with new technique and modalities, in the Cath lab. In addition, I have been giving lectures at the amphitheater on a regular base.

I have instructed and supervised medical students to organize “round tables” as part of the Scientific Congresses of Hellenic Medical Students and 4th International FORUM of Hellenic Medical Students & Junior Doctors, Athens, 16-18 April 2010.

I was in charge of the training courses that exchange-foreign medical students receive, in our Department, through the program of International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA). I have been training 8-10 foreign medical students, each year, from different countries including all European countries and USA.

I was in charge for one of the courses named ‘Interventional Cardiology’ that was given to the 5^th year medical students at the medical school of Athens University.

I have given lectures each year in several courses that are part of the 6-year curriculum of Medical School

I have created and running the Post Graduation Program on structural heart disease. Diagnosis and therapy, at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.