Professional Education

  • BHS, University of Arizona, Physiology (2020)
  • MD, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson (2024)

All Publications

  • Focal pulsed field ablation for atrial tachycardia near the phrenic nerve: a two-case experience. Journal of interventional cardiac electrophysiology : an international journal of arrhythmias and pacing Li, J., Godinez, E., Devathu, R., Verma, A., Gonzalez, D. J., Chatterjee, K., Kim, M. H., Fazal, M., Badhwar, N., Desai, Y., Baykaner, T. 2026

    Abstract

    Catheter ablation of atrial tachycardia (AT) adjacent to the phrenic nerve is limited by the risk of diaphragmatic injury with conventional energy sources. Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a non-thermal modality with relative tissue selectivity that may reduce collateral damage. We describe two patients with symptomatic AT arising from the crista terminalis in close proximity to the phrenic nerve who underwent ablation with a novel focal PFA catheter (TactiFlex Duo, Abbott). Case 1: A 76-year-old man with recurrent AT after incomplete prior ablation received 12 focal PFA applications at the mid-crista terminalis. Phrenic nerve capture was preserved throughout, and sinus rhythm was restored without complication. Case 2: A 25-year-old woman with symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia underwent 12 low-energy PFA lesions at the posterolateral right atrium. Transient phrenic nerve palsy occurred but fully recovered by the end of the procedure. In both cases, durable sinus rhythm was achieved without long term phrenic injury.Focal PFA enabled acute termination of crista terminalis AT in close proximity to the right phrenic nerve, including one case with preserved phrenic capture throughout and one case with reproducible transient phrenic nerve palsy after each application with full recovery. These cases support the feasibility of focal PFA in phrenic-adjacent right atrial substrates, while underscoring that phrenic nerve stunning can occur.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s10840-026-02326-6

    View details for PubMedID 42101803

    View details for PubMedCentralID 10363427

  • Treatment Options, Regulatory Pathways and Global Patterns of Use for Cardiac Implantable Devices in Patients With Titanium Allergy. Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology Devathu, R., Chatterjee, K., Godinez, E., Kambampati, S., Gonzalez, D. J., Kim, M. H., Li, J., Paranjpe, I., Fazal, M., Brucker, R., Baykaner, T. 2025

    Abstract

    Titanium hypersensitivity is an uncommon but important challenge in patients requiring cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Reactions are difficult to predict, often mimic infection, and complicate timely diagnosis.We reviewed diagnostic considerations, therapeutic strategies, regulatory pathways, and global distribution of coated devices. Data sources included prior case reports, regulatory guidelines, and industry distribution records.Management options range from conservative observation to prophylactic implantation of hypoallergenic devices. Gold-coated and polymer-coated alternatives are effective but constrained by production costs, lack of reimbursement, and limited availability. In the United States, access is possible through custom device and compassionate use pathways, both requiring extensive regulatory approvals. Globally, most requests originate from the U.S. and Europe, with fewer from other regions due to economic and cultural barriers.Improved awareness, streamlined regulatory frameworks, and multidisciplinary collaboration are essential to expand access and optimize outcomes for patients with titanium hypersensitivity.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/jce.70195

    View details for PubMedID 41286575

  • Four devices, one solution: gold-coated cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator in a patient with titanium hypersensitivity. Journal of interventional cardiac electrophysiology : an international journal of arrhythmias and pacing Devathu, R., Chatterjee, K., Godinez, E., Kambampati, S., Gonzalez, D. J., Kim, M. H., Verma, A., Wei, C., Fazal, M., Bowers, M., Baykaner, T. 2025

    Abstract

    Titanium hypersensitivity is a rare but important cause of recurrent complications in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Despite titanium's biocompatibility, hypersensitivity reactions can mimic device infection, leading to repeated device removals before diagnosis.We report the management of a 67-year-old man with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy who presented to our institution after three failed cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) implantations over three years, each complicated by wound dehiscence and infection-like symptoms. The patient had been diagnosed with titanium hypersensitivity previously but prior attempts to mitigate exposure, including a Gore-Tex-wrapped device were unsuccessful. Therefore, a custom gold-plated CRT-D was obtained under U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) compassionate use provisions. The gold-plated CRT-D was implanted via a right-sided approach. At one-year follow-up, the surgical site remained well-healed with no recurrent complications or device-related discomfort and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improved from 29% to 50%.This case underscores the diagnostic challenges of titanium allergy, the limitations of conventional management, and the value of multidisciplinary collaboration to navigate regulatory pathways and deliver durable, patient-specific solutions.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s10840-025-02154-0

    View details for PubMedID 41148558

  • Association Between Chronotype and Chronic Neuropathic Pain Sensitivity: A Pilot Prospective, Observational, Single-Center, Cross-Sectional Study. Pain physician Kim, M., Martins, Y. C., Patel, K., Hsu, C. H., Ibrahim, M., Goel, V., Patwardhan, A. M., Jain, S. 2024; 27 (10): E1097-E1104

    Abstract

    Chronotype defines an organism's biological preference for timing of activity and sleep. Being a morning chronotype (i.e., tending to wake up early and go to bed earlier at night) is associated with protection against chronic musculoskeletal pain and headaches, but the relationship between chronotype and neuropathic pain sensitivity remains unclear.The aim of this pilot study was to explore the relationship among chronotype, neuropathic pain sensitivity, and pain interference in patients with chronic neuropathic pain disorders.This was a prospective, observational, single-center, cross-sectional study.Patients were recruited from pain management clinics.The Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) was used to evaluate circadian typology. Linear mixed-effects models, principal component analysis, and principal component regression were used to determine the predictors of pain intensity and pain interference evaluated by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pain Interference (PROMIS-PI) scores, respectively.We analyzed 38 adults who had at least one documented chronic neuropathic pain diagnosis. Morning-chronotype patients reported higher NRS scores over time and lower PROMIS-PI t-scores than did intermediate chronotypes. MEQ, depression, risk of sleep apnea, sleep quality, and body mass index (BMI) were all significant independent predictors of average NRS scores and PROMIS-PI t-scores.The population was small and homogeneously white, with an average age of 57 years. However, this population was representative of our pain clinic.Morning chronotypes are more sensitive to chronic neuropathic pain, reporting higher pain scores than do intermediate chronotypes. However, in this study, morning chronotypes were more resistant to neuropathic pain interference, suggesting that they may experience less disturbance of their physical, mental, and social activities than intermediate chronotypes. Further, larger studies are needed.

    View details for PubMedID 39688829

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC12579961

  • Infratemporal abscess: a rare complication of a common procedure. Access microbiology Kotagiri, R., Repp, M. L., Kim, M. H., Stipho, F. 2024; 6 (2)

    Abstract

    The infratemporal fossa (ITF) is an anatomically complex cavity that houses a variety of muscular and neurovascular structures at the base of the skull. Infections involving the ITF, though uncommon, can be fatal due to the difficulties of accessing this anatomical space and its proclivity to evolve into a cavernous venous thrombosis (CVT). As a result, a multi-disciplinary approach involving several surgical and medical subspecialists is often warranted. We present a case of an infratemporal fossa abscess (IFA) after wisdom teeth extraction with a very complicated clinical course and a distinct microbiologic profile.

    View details for DOI 10.1099/acmi.0.000721.v3

    View details for PubMedID 38482365

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10928393

  • Potential Utility of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Treating Myocarditis. The American journal of medicine Kim, M. H., Suri, Y., Rajendran, I., Pineda, J. R. 2024; 137 (2): e33-e34

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.10.005

    View details for PubMedID 37871733