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Akash Makkar, MD, is the Director of Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates, with locations in Phoenix, Avondale, Tempe, Chandler, Sun City, Dewey, and Prescott Valley, Arizona. He is board certified in cardiology and clinical cardiac electrophysiology. He completed his electrophysiology fellowship at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, one of the top electrophysiology programs in the country. Prior to that, Dr. Makkar was on faculty at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston. 

Dr. Makkar underwent his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at the University of Louisville, where he served as Chief Cardiology Fellow for the year 2009-2010. Dr. Makkar earned his medical degree from Kanpur University, India. He graduated from medical school in first place among all students garnering the sought-after Governor’s Medal for the best graduating medical student. He also did post-graduate education from Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, one of the premier training hospitals in India.

Dr. Makkar is well-known for his excellent bedside manners as well as his skills for complex cardiac electrophysiology diagnosis and treatments. He is well respected within the cardiology community as an expert in his field and a physician other physicians trust with their patients. This has made him one of the busiest electrophysiologists in the state, but he never forgets why: Expert and skilled cardiac care focused on each patient’s individual needs. 

Dr. Makkar is specially trained and an expert in performing the full range of electrophysiology procedures, including complex trans-septal catheter ablations, implantation of complex cardiac devices, leadless pacemakers, laser lead extractions, and left atrial appendage occlusion device (Watchman) Implantations. In fact, Dr. Makkar performs the highest number of ablations and laser extractions in the state of Arizona. Dr. Makkar is also an active researcher, having authored numerous abstracts and manuscripts. Dr. Makkar has been recognized for being one of the first electrophysiologists to perform fluoroless (no radiation/X-rays) atrial fibrillation ablations in the state of Arizona. He has also been voted into the prestigious PHOENIX Magazine Top Doc list for Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology.

Dr. Shantha Kumar is an interventional cardiologist specializing in Interventional Cardiology and Adult Cardiology. He received his medical degree from Bangalore Medical College and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Kumar is qualified to deliver comprehensive care for your cardiovascular system and heart. Dr. Kumar may see patients for symptoms like difficulty breathing, dizziness or chest pain. Cardiovascular issues that may be identified and cared for by a cardiologist can include congenital heart defects, angina, arrhythmia, heart failure, rheumatic heart disease, heart aneurysms and coronary artery disease.

Zaher Akkad, MD, FACC, is a cardiologist at Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona, with four locations in Phoenix, Maricopa, Goodyear, and Chandler, Arizona. Dr. Akkad holds multiple board certifications, including internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiology, nuclear cardiology, and echocardiography, as well as Endovascular Medicine.

Dr. Akkad was trained at Wayne State University-affiliated hospitals in Detroit, Michigan. Before joining Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona, Dr. Akkad was an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Cardiology at Wayne State University. During this time, he was the Interim Director of the Echocardiography Lab. 

He has published multiple textbook chapters in the fields of cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and congestive heart failure.

Dr. Akkad’s clinical skills are outstanding. He is a multi-talented cardiologist, he is experienced in all aspects of non-invasive cardiology, including echocardiography, transesophageal echo, and nuclear cardiology. He is a fully-trained interventional cardiologist with superb skills in all aspects of cardiac Catheterization and stents also endovascular, carotid and peripheral interventions as well as pacemaker implantation. He is experienced in Structural Cardiac interventions including TAVR and  Watchman procedures. 

Dr. Akkad is very compassionate and has exceptional patient skills. His philosophy is to treat his patients as if they are family and provides prompt, cutting-edge, and evidence-based treatments. He is currently accepting new patients and eager to help them get healthy as soon as possible. Please check the testimonials from some of our patients below.  On behalf of Dr. Akkad and his team, we look forward to taking care of you.

Soy cardióloga que habla español.

Testimonials

Dr. Divyashree Varma is a Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist based in Phoenix, Arizona, where she has been in practice since 2020. Born in India and raised in New Delhi, Dr. Varma completed her medical education at Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, graduating as Valedictorian with honors in all subjects.

She moved to the United States for advanced training, completing her Internal Medicine residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, followed by a Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship at UT San Antonio. She then pursued subspecialty training in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at William Beaumont Hospital in Michigan.

Dr. Varma specializes in the full spectrum of cardiac electrophysiology, including complex catheter ablations, cardiac device implantation, left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), and the diagnosis and management of channelopathies and genetic arrhythmia disorders. Her professional interests focus on patient-centered clinical care and clinical research aimed at advancing treatments for cardiac arrhythmias. Outside of medicine, Dr. Varma enjoys spending time with her family and her dogs. She also enjoys cooking and gardening.

Dr. Divyashree Varma is a Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist based in Phoenix, Arizona, where she has been in practice since 2020. Born in India and raised in New Delhi, Dr. Varma completed her medical education at Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, graduating as Valedictorian with honors in all subjects.

She moved to the United States for advanced training, completing her Internal Medicine residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, followed by a Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship at UT San Antonio. She then pursued subspecialty training in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at William Beaumont Hospital in Michigan.

Dr. Varma specializes in the full spectrum of cardiac electrophysiology, including complex catheter ablations, cardiac device implantation, left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), and the diagnosis and management of channelopathies and genetic arrhythmia disorders. Her professional interests focus on patient-centered clinical care and clinical research aimed at advancing treatments for cardiac arrhythmias. Outside of medicine, Dr. Varma enjoys spending time with her family and her dogs. She also enjoys cooking and gardening.

Dr. Divyashree Varma is a Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist based in Phoenix, Arizona, where she has been in practice since 2020. Born in India and raised in New Delhi, Dr. Varma completed her medical education at Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, graduating as Valedictorian with honors in all subjects.

She moved to the United States for advanced training, completing her Internal Medicine residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, followed by a Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship at UT San Antonio. She then pursued subspecialty training in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at William Beaumont Hospital in Michigan.

Dr. Varma specializes in the full spectrum of cardiac electrophysiology, including complex catheter ablations, cardiac device implantation, left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), and the diagnosis and management of channelopathies and genetic arrhythmia disorders. Her professional interests focus on patient-centered clinical care and clinical research aimed at advancing treatments for cardiac arrhythmias. Outside of medicine, Dr. Varma enjoys spending time with her family and her dogs. She also enjoys cooking and gardening.

Shishir Murarka, MD, is the Chief of Cardiology at Banner Estrella Medical Center.

Dr. Murarka is a board-certified interventional cardiologist at Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona in the Phoenix and Goodyear locations. He is a young cardiologist with excellent clinical skills and patient rapport. He offers a fresh approach to cardiovascular care. 

Dr. Murarka completed his training at the University of Maryland Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly and Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

He is board-certified in interventional cardiology, cardiovascular disease, internal medicine, and nuclear cardiology. Dr. Murarka has co-authored more than 20 publications in various medical journals, over a dozen abstracts, and two book chapters in the subjects of percutaneous mitral valve repair and recanalizing total occlusion in the periphery.

He is currently accepting new patients and looks forward to helping them on their health care journey. 

Testimonials

Dr. Faran Bashir received his training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio, University of California, Irvine, and the University of Colorado in Denver. Dr. Bashir is board certified in the fields of cardiovascular diseases, Nuclear and Interventional Cardiology. Additionally, he has received specialized training in the performance of intracardiac echocardiography, percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defects, valvuloplasty and Watchman device implantation. He has presented several studies at national Cardiology meetings and has published many journal articles in major Cardiology journals.

Dr. Bashir is currently serving as Chief of Cardiology and CVT Surgery at Banner Estrella Medical Center. He also holds the position of Clinical Assistant professor of Medicine at Banner University Medical Center – Phoenix. He is a member of faculty both in the Cardiology as well as Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Programs and is actively involved in teaching future cardiologists. Dr. Bashir’s clinical skills are outstanding and he will be happy to provide timely and professional care.

Dr. Bashir is currently accepting new patients. Schedule an appointment by calling the office or booking a consultation online today.

Testimonials