Anne B. Curtis, M.D., FHRS, F.A.C.C., FAHA
Chief, Division of Cardiology
M.D., Columbia University
A.B., Rutgers University
Biographical Sketch
Dr. Curtis did her undergraduate training at Rutgers University in New Jersey and graduated from medical school at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. She completed her medical residency at Presbyterian Hospital in New York, and fellowships in cardiovascular diseases and clinical cardiac electrophysiology at Duke University Medical Center. She established the electrophysiology program at the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1986 and was Director of Clinical Electrophysiology there until 2005. She is currently Chief of Cardiology and Director of Cardiovascular Services at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She is actively involved in patient care, education of fellows and residents, and clinical research in electrophysiology and pacing. Her research career includes participation as a member of the steering committees for the Pac-a-Tach (Pacing and Atrial Tachycardia) and ABCD (Alternans Before Cardiac Defibrillator) trials, and her involvement in the AFFIRM, MIRACLE, SCD-HeFT, and COMPANION trials among others. She is currently the Principal Investigator of the Block HF trial.
On a national level, Dr. Curtis is prominently involved in a number of organizations. She is the Immediate Past President of the Heart Rhythm Society. She is currently chair of the Governance Committee, a member of the Board of Trustees and the Finance Committee and is the former chair of the Continuing Medical Education, Marketing, and Health Policy Committees.
Areas of Expertise :
- Electrophysiologic studies
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Pacemakers
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillators
- Resynchronization therapy
- Arrhythmia consultations
Current Research
Registry to Promote the Use of Evidence-Based Therapies to Care for Patients With Left Ventricular Systolic Heart Failure in the Outpatient Setting (IMPROVE-HF), Medtronic, Inc., member of Scientific Steering Committee.
Biventricular Versus Right Ventricular Pacing in Heart Failure Patients With Atrioventricular Block (BLOCK HF), Medtronic, Principal Investigator
Pivotal Research in Cardiology in the Elderly (PRICE), NIH, Co-investigator
Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of the Optimizer System with Active Fixation Leads in Subjects with Heart Failure Resulting from Systolic Dysfunction: Fix-HF-5, Impulse Dynamics, Inc., Co-investigator
Analog versus Digital Testing for Defibrillator Implantations, Medtronic, Inc., Principal Investigator
Publications
Saxonhouse SJ, Conti JB, Curtis AB . Current of injury predicts adequate active lead fixation in permanent pacemaker/defibrillation leads. J Am Coll Cardiol, 2005;45:412-417.
Woo GW, Petersen-Stejskal S, Johnson JW, Conti JB, Aranda JM, Curtis AB . Ventricular reverse remodeling and 6-month outcome in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy: Analysis of the MIRACLE Study. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2005; 12:107-113.
Grayston JT, Kronmal RA, Jackson LA, Parisi AF, Muhlestein JB, Cohen JD, Rogers WJ, Crouse JR, Borrowdale SL, Schron E, and Knirsch C for the ACES Investigators. Curtis AB : member, Data and Safety Monitoring Board) Azithromycin for the secondary prevention of coronary events. N Engl J Med 2005;352:1637-1645.
Curtis AB , Seals AA, Safford RE, Slater W, Tullo NG, Vidaillet H, Wilber D, Slee A, the AFFIRM Investigators. Clinical factors associated with abandonment of a rate-control or a rhythm-control strategy for the management of atrial fibrillation in the AFFIRM study. Am Heart J, 2005;149:304-308.
The AFFIRM Investigators. Clinical factors that influence response to treatment strategies in atrial fibrillation: The AFFIRM Study. ( Curtis AB , facilitator of writing group) Am Heart J 2005;149:645-649.
Day JD, Curtis AB , Epstein AE, Goldschlager NF, Olshansky B, Reynolds DW, Wang PJ. Addendum to the clinical competency statement: training pathways for implantation of cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization devices. Heart Rhythm, 2005:2:1161-1163.
Cutro RG, Geiser E, Curtis AB . Images in cardiovascular medicine: dense right sided hemiparesis in a 36 year old woman. Circulation, 2005:112:e67.
Doshi RN, Daoud EG, Fellows C, Turk K, Duran A, Hamdan MH, Pires LA for the PAVE Study Group. Left ventricular-based cardiac stimulation post AV nodal ablation evaluation (The PAVE Study). J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2005;16:1160-1165.
Aranda JM Jr, Woo GW, Schofield RS, Handberg EM, Hill JA, Curtis AB , Sears SF, Goff JS, Pauly DF, Conti JB. Management of heart failure after cardiac resynchronization therapy: Integrating advanced heart failure treatment with adequate device function. J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;46:2193-2198.
Leon AR, Abraham W, Curtis A , Daubert J, Fisher W, Gurley J. Safety of transvenous cardiac resynchronization system implantation in patients with chronic heart failure: results of over two thousand patients from a multicenter study program, J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;46:2348-2356.
Curtis AB . CRT 101: If It's Not Late, Pacing It Early Won't Help, J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;45:70-71.
Conti JB, Curtis AB . Arrhythmias during pregnancy. In: Saksena S, Camm AJ, eds. Electrophysiological Disorders of the Heart: Philadelphia, PA, Elsevier, Inc., 517-532, 2005.
Curtis AB , Burkart TA, eds. Cardiac Arrhythmias and Electrophysiology Self-Assessment Program ( ArrhythmiaSAP) . CD-ROM, Windows. Bethesda , MD : Am eric an College of Cardiology, 2005.
Reiffel JA, Curtis AB. Antiarrhythmic drugs. In: Curtis AB , Burkart TA, eds. ArrhythmiaSAP. CD-ROM, Windows. Bethesda , MD : Am eric an College of Cardiology, 2005.
Grubb BP, Curtis AB. Disorders of sinus and AV nodal conduction and syncope. In: Curtis AB , Burkart TA, eds. ArrhythmiaSAP. CD-ROM, Windows. Bethesda , MD : Am eric an College of Cardiology, 2005.
Curtis AB , Epstein AE, Wilber DJ. Ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death In: Curtis AB , Burkart TA, eds. ArrhythmiaSAP. CD-ROM, Windows. Bethesda , MD : Am eric an College of Cardiology, 2005.
Curtis AB, ed. Cardiac arrhythmias and electrophysiology. In: Lewis RP, O'Gara TP, Parmley, WW, eds. Adult Clinical Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (ACCSAP) 6. Bethesda , MD : Am eric an College of Cardiology; 6th ed, 15.1-15.135, 2005.
Reiffel JA, Curtis AB. Antiarrhythmic drugs. In: Lewis RP, O'Gara TP, Parmley, WW, eds. Adult Clinical Cardiology Self-Assessment Program V. Bethesda, MD: Am eric an College of Cardiology; 6th ed, 15.53-15.63, 2005.
Grubb BP, Curtis AB. Disorders of sinus and AV nodal conduction and syncope. In: Lewis RP, O'Gara TP, Parmley, WW, eds. Adult Clinical Cardiology Self-Assessment Program V. Bethesda, MD: Am eric an College of Cardiology; 6th ed, 15.25-15.35, 2005.
Curtis AB , Epstein AE, Wilber DJ. Ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. In: Lewis RP, O'Gara TP, Parmley, WW, eds. Adult Clinical Cardiology Self-Assessment Program V. Bethesda, MD: Am eric an College of Cardiology; 6th ed, 15.117-15.135, 2005.
Curtis AB. New insights into implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy: who benefits? Medscape Cardiology , New York , NY , December 20, 2004, 1747 words . Available at: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/496076 .
Curtis AB . Practice point c ommentary on the DINAMIT Trial – Hohnloser SH et al. (2004) Prophylactic Use of an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator After Acute Myocardial Infarction. Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine, 2005;2, 192-193.
Curtis AB . Update on cardiac device therapy from the Am eric an College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Sessions . April 15, 2005, 2465 words. Available at: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/502894.
Barold SS, Herweg B, Curtis AB . The defibrillation safety margin of patients receiving ICDs: a matter of definition. PACE, 2005;28:881-882..
Steinberg JS, Arshad A, Rozanski A, Shedd OL, and Curtis AB . Letter to the editor: reply. J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;45:1733.
Barold SS, Herweg B, Curtis AB . Loss of resynchronization by biventricular pacemakers: Mechanism, diagnosis and therapy. In: Raviele A, ed. Cardiac Arrhythmias 2005: Proceedings of the 9 th International Workshop on Cardiac Arrhythmias ( Venice , 2-5 October 2005), New York : Springer, 531-545, 2005.
Curtis AB , Barold SS, Herweg B. The importance of minimizing right ventricular pacing in patients with sick sinus syndrome: why and how? In: Raviele A, ed. Cardiac Arrhythmias 2005: Proceedings of the 9 th International Workshop on Cardiac Arrhythmias ( Venice , 2-5 October 2005), New York : Springer, 557-568, 2005.
Curtis AB . Experience counts: better patient outcomes with higher device volumes. J Am Coll Cardiol, 2005;46:1541-1542.
Bloomfield DM, Bigger JT, Steinman RC, Namerow PB, Parides MK, Curtis AB , Kaufman ES, Davidenko JM, Shinn TS, Fontaine JM, Microvolt T-Wave Alternans and the Risk of Death or Sustained Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction. J Am Coll Cardiol 2006;47:456-63.
Cutro R Jr, Burkart TA, Curtis AB . The effect of management of anticoagulation in a specialty anticoagulation clinic versus a primary care physician's office on the maintenance of sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. Clin Cardiol, 2006;29-78-82.
Kovacs AH, Feigofsky S, Goff JS, Saidi AS , Curtis AB , Conti JB, Sears SF. ICD Implant-Explant-Implant Case Study: Addressing the Psychological Adjustment to Multiple Shocks. Clin Cardiol, 2006;29:274-276.
Herweg B, Ilercil A, Madramootoo C, Krishnan S, Rinde-Hoffman D, Weston M, Curtis AB , Barold SS. Latency during left ventricular pacing from the lateral epicardial cardiac veins: a cause of ineffective biventricular pacing in patients with cardiomyopathy. PACE 2006;29:574-581.
Herweg B, Johnson N, Postler G, Curtis AB , Barold SS, Ilercil A. Mechanical esophageal deflection during ablation of atrial fibrillation. PACE 2006;29:957-961.
European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society; Fuster V , Ryden LE , Cannom DS , Crijns HJ , Curtis AB , Ellenbogen KA , Halperin JL , Le Heuzey JY , Kay GN , Lowe JE , Olsson SB , Prystowsky EN , Tamargo JL , Wann S , Smith SC Jr , Jacobs AK , Adams CD , Anderson JL , Antman EM , Halperin JL , Hunt SA , Nishimura R , Ornato JP , Page RL , Riegel B , Priori SG , Blanc JJ , Budaj A , Camm AJ , Dean V , Deckers JW , Despres C , Dickstein K , Lekakis J , McGregor K , Metra M , Morais J , Osterspey A , Tamargo JL , Zamorano JL . ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation-Executive Summary. A Report of the Am eric an College of Cardiology/Am eric an Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2001 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation). J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;48:854-906. Also J Am Coll Cardiol.2006;4:e149-246.
Carlson MD, Wilkoff BL, Maisel WH, Ellenbogen KA, Saxon LA, Prystowsky EN, Alpert JS, Cain ME, Ching EA, Curtis AB , Davies DW, Hammill SC, Hauser RG, Lampert R, Zipes DP. Recommendations from the Heart Rhythm Society Task Force on Device Performance Policies and Guidelines. Heart Rhythm 2006;3:1250-1272.
Curtis AB , Singh D. Oral amiodarone prophylaxis reduces atrial tachyarrhythmia following cardiac surgery. Evidence-based Cardiovasc Med 2006;10:141-143.
Barold SS, Herweg B, Curtis AB . Electrocardiographic diagnosis of myocardial infarction and ischemia during cardiac pacing. Cardiol Clin 2006;24:387-399.
Barold SS, Herweg B, Giudici MC, Curtis AB . Diagnostic value of the 12-lead electrocardiogram during conventional and biventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization. Cardiol Clin 2006;24:471-490.
Curtis AB. Should all defibrillators be implanted by electrophysiologists? ACCEL 2006;38:10.
Yarnoz M, Curtis AB . Why ICD implantation might not be the best idea for your elderly patient. Am J Geriatric Cardiol 2006;15:367-371.
Curtis AB . Clustering of ventricular arrhythmias: a therapeutic opportunity or strictly a marker of poor prognosis? J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2006;17:1307-1309.
Yarnoz M, Curtis AB . Sex-based differences in cardiac resynchronization therapy and implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapies: effectiveness and use. Cardiol Review 2006;14:292-298.
Curtis AB . Are women worldwide under-treated with regard to cardiac resynchronization and sudden death prevention? J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2006;17:169-175..
Curtis AB . Defibrillator implantation without induction of ventricular fibrillation: good enough? Circulation 2007;115:2370-72..
Curtis AB . New driving recommendations for patients with primary prevention ICDs. EP Lab Digest May 2007;7:1,10.
Al-Khatib SM, Sanders GD, Bigger JT, Buxton AE, Califf RM, Carlson M, Curtis A , Curtis J, Fair E, Gersh BJ, Gold MR, Haghighi-Mood A, Hammill SC, Healey J, Hlatky MA, Hohnloser S, Kim RJ, Lee K, Mark DB, Mianulli M, Mitchell B, Prystowsky EN, Smith J, Steinhaus D, Zareba W. Preventing Tomorrow's Sudden Cardiac Death Today Part I: Current Data on Risk Stratification for Sudden Cardiac Death. Am Heart J 2007;153:941-50.
Sanders GD, Al-Khatib SM, Berliner E, Bigger JT, Buxton AE, Califf RM, Carlson M, Curtis AB , Curtis JP, Domanski M, Fain E, Gersh BJ, Gold MR, Goldberger J, Haghighi-Mood A, Hammill SC, Harder J, Healey J, Hlatky MA, Hohnloser SH, Lee K, Mark DB, Mitchell B, Phurrough S, Prystowsky E, Smith JM, Stockbridge N, Temple R. Preventing Tomorrow's Sudden Cardiac Death Today: Part II: Translating Sudden Cardiac Death Risk Assessment Strategies into Practice and Policy. Am Heart J 2007;153:951-9.
Epstein AE, Baessler C, Curtis AB , Estes NAM; Blair Grubb B, Gersh B, Mitchell LB, Vetter V. Am eric an Heart Association Addendum to: Personal and Public Safety Issues Related to Arrhythmias That May Affect Consciousness: Implications for Regulation and Physician Recommendations: A Medical/Scientific Statement from the Am eric an Heart Association and the Heart Rhythm Society: Public Safety Issues in Patients with Implantable Defibrillators, Circulation 2007;115:1170-6.
Khan H, Barbier GP, Curtis AB . CT and massive pulmonary embolism. Cardiosource Web Site, Am eric an College of Cardiology Foundation. Available at http://www.cardiosource.com/casestudies/casestudy.asp?studyid=1017 .
Fonarow GC, Yancy CW, Albert NM, Curtis AB , Gattis Stough W, Gheorghiade M, Heywood JT, Mehra M, O'Connor CM, Reynolds D, and Walsh MN. Improving the Use of Evidence-Based Heart Failure Therapies in the Outpatient Setting: The IMPROVE HF Performance-Improvement Registry. Am Heart J 2007.154:12-38.