Ammar M. Killu, M.B.B.S.

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SUMMARY

The research interests of Ammar M. Killu, M.B.B.S., include exploring innovative techniques for ablation of myocardial tissue with an emphasis on the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Dr. Killu also investigates innovative techniques for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm abnormality encountered in clinical practice, and ventricular tachycardia, a potentially lethal heart rhythm disorder. Dr. Killu also focuses on new catheter design and iterative testing.

Focus areas

• Minimally invasive ablation for the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Dr. Killu is implementing a new ablation technique using pulsed electric fields — electroporation — to ablate hypertrophied cardiac muscle. This technique is used for the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common inherited cardiac condition.

  Further, Dr. Killu and his team have pioneered an approach using radiofrequency energy to reduce cardiac muscle thickness in patients unable to undergo percutaneous mitral valve intervention due to risk of outflow tract obstruction.

• New ablation techniques for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Dr. Killu and his team are involved in developing new ablation catheters and delivery systems using pulsed electric field ablation to treat atrial fibrillation.

• Hybrid ablation to treat heart rhythm disorders. Dr. Killu works in close conjunction with Arman Arghami, M.D., M.P.H., a Mayo Clinic cardiovascular surgeon, to develop new hybrid techniques to treat heart rhythm disorders including atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias.

  In addition, Dr. Killu collaborates with Mohamad Adnan (Mohamad) Alkhouli, M.D., a Mayo Clinic interventional cardiologist, and Hoda Hatoum, Ph.D., of Michigan Tech University, on the flow dynamics of surgical ablation in cardiac tissue.

• Outcomes of ventricular ablation in unique populations. Dr. Killu studies outcomes of ventricular tachycardia ablation in unique cohorts with limited published data to date. These cohorts include patients with previous cardiovascular valve interventions and those with uncommonly encountered arrhythmias.

Significance to patient care

The primary goal of Dr. Killu's clinical research is to improve the quality of life and outcomes for patients by developing and testing new therapeutics. Dr. Killu's current research projects focus on commonly encountered cardiac conditions that currently have either suboptimal treatment outcomes or scope for significant improvement.

Professional highlights

• Innovation Accelerator Award, Office of Translation to Practice, Mayo Clinic, 2024.
• President's Discovery Translation Program Award, Mayo Clinic, 2022.