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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 Balakrishnan is a cardiologist and clinical cardiac electrophysiologist at Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates. He is thorough, compassionate, and unwavering in his commitment to providing quality care for his patients.

Dr Balakrishnan was born and raised in Coimbatore, India. He completed his medical degree from Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital, India, and moved to the United States to pursue further medical training. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - South Campus and his Cardiology and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology fellowships at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Campus hospitals. He is the recipient of several awards throughout his training, including outstanding performance in Cardiology and Electrophysiology, outstanding graduating fellow in Cardiology, and the Mark J. Friedman Outstanding Fellow Award. He also served as the chief fellow during his Cardiology fellowship at the University of Arizona. He has authored numerous publications in Cardiology and Electrophysiology and has presented at several national and international conferences.

Dr Balakrishnan joined the practice in 2024. He is trained in complex device implants, ablation of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and laser lead extractions.

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

Kishlay Anand, MD, MS, FHRS, is a founding partner of AZ Cardiology, which has locations in Peoria, Prescott, Cottonwood, Flagstaff, and Prescott Valley. He is also a board-certified cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist with over 15 years of experience. He is dedicated to advancing the field of cardiology, having contributed to numerous peer-reviewed journals and delivered research presentations at both national and international conferences. Dr. Anand's commitment to patient care and innovation is matched by his entrepreneurial spirit, as seen through his leadership in voluntary health initiatives.

Dr. Anand graduated from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, India. He furthered his education by earning a master's degree in epidemiology from Columbia University in New York. Dr. Anand completed his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at Creighton University in Nebraska, followed by specialized training in cardiac electrophysiology at the University of California, San Diego.

With a focus on cardiac electrophysiology, Dr. Anand specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders. His expertise extends beyond clinical care, as he has made significant contributions to health awareness and patient welfare through his work with Prayatna, a voluntary organization. Dr. Anand's dedication to improving patient outcomes is evident in both his clinical work and his passion for advancing the field of cardiology.

Dr. Sina Nafisi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, board certified in Internal Medicine, General Cardiology, and Interventional Cardiology. He is also board certified by the American Board of Vascular Medicine in Endovascular Medicine, reflecting advanced expertise in comprehensive cardiovascular and vascular care. 

Dr. Nafisi serves as Chief of Staff at HonorHealth Tempe Medical Center and is the former Chief of Cardiology at Four Peaks Medical Center and Tempe Medical Center. He is actively involved in academic medicine as Assistant Professor and Clerkship Director for Cardiology at Creighton University School of Medicine, where he plays a key role in mentoring and training the next generation of physicians. 

He has been recognized with multiple Specialist of the Year awards from the academic department at St. Joseph’s Hospital, honoring his clinical excellence, leadership, and dedication to patient care. 

Dr. Nafisi’s areas of expertise include vascular medicine, lower extremity revascularization, endovascular interventions, vein ablation for varicose veins, transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement, and the management of complex coronary artery disease. He is committed to delivering cutting-edge, evidence-based cardiovascular care with a patient-centered approach. 

Vijay Swarup, MD, FACC, FHRS, is one of the physicians at Arizona Heart Rhythm Center, which has locations in Phoenix, Peoria, Gilbert, and Prescott, Arizona. He has been practicing clinical cardiac electrophysiology in Arizona since 2002. Before joining the practice, he completed a fellowship in clinical cardiac electrophysiology at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Swarup earned his bachelor's and medical degrees at the University of Delhi in New Delhi. He continued his education at St. Louis University School of Medicine, completing an internal medicine residency and a research fellowship in molecular cardiology. He completed a Cardiovascular Disease fellowship at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. He then pursued a clinical cardiac electrophysiology fellowship at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Swarup has received specialized training in performing complex arrhythmia treatments, including trans-catheter ablations. He has a special interest in three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping techniques, left atrial appendage occlusion techniques, and ablative therapies for atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.

In Arizona, Dr. Swarup was among the first to perform epicardial and endocardial 3D mapping guided ablation of ischemic ventricular tachycardias, open irrigated ablations, robotic catheter ablations for arrhythmias, and implantation to left atrial appendage occlusion devices. Dr. Swarup has some of the most extensive experience in AF and VT ablations and implantation of LAA occlusion devices in the country. Dr. Swarup is also an active researcher of new ablation techniques, having authored numerous abstracts and manuscripts. He has been the principal investigator in many research protocols investigating promising new ablation techniques and devices for the treatment of arrhythmias.

Dr. Swarup is board certified in cardiovascular diseases and clinical cardiac electrophysiology.

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. 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

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

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

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

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