Dr. Sami Viskin, Chaim Sheba Chair of Cardiology, Tel Aviv University, a Scientific Advisor at the SADS Foundation, has been named Editor-in-Chief of Heart Rhythm by Heart Rhythm Society effective January 1, 2024. Heart Rhythm is the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society, the Cardiac Electrophysiology Society, and the Pediatric & Congenital Electrophysiology Society.

“On behalf of the SADS Foundation, I’d like to congratulate my dear friend Dr. Sami Viskin on his appointment as Editor-in-Chief of Heart Rhythm,” says Dr. Michael Ackerman, MD, PhD, Genetic Cardiologist from the Mayo Clinic and President of the Board at the SADS Foundation. “He is an incredible physician and scientist and a great friend of the SADS Foundation, and this appointment is very well deserved.”

Dr. Viskin has been a Scientific Advisor for the SADS Foundation for thirty years. As an advisor, he is a major contributor to SADS difficult cases and an active participant in SADS educational programs.

As per the Heart Rhythm Society press release, Dr. Viskin's research has focused on ventricular arrhythmias, particularly polymorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmias related to the long QT syndromes, idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, Brugada syndrome and Purkinje-related polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. He has published 250 peer-reviewed articles. For his scientific achievements, Dr. Viskin was awarded the Pioneer in Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology award by the HRS in 2022.

“Dr. Viskin has been an important part of the SADS Foundation as a scientific advisor for the past thirty years, and a good friend to me. We are thrilled to hear of his appointment to Editor-in-Chief for Heart Rhythm,” says Alice Lara, President and CEO of the SADS Foundation. “His research in cardiac arrhythmias is extensive and has made a huge impact in electrophysiology, and we know this appointment will be another milestone in his incredible career.”

About Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes Foundation (SADS):

Established in 1991 by Dr. Michael Vincent, The Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes Foundation (SADS) is a community of families, medical professionals, and supporters saving lives and advancing care for people with heart arrhythmia conditions that can lead to sudden death. Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) are genetic heart conditions that can cause sudden death in young, apparently healthy people. These conditions can be treated and deaths can be prevented.

Warning Signs for SADS conditions include: family history of unexpected, unexplained sudden death under age 40; fainting or seizure during exercise, excitement or startle; consistent or unusual chest pain and/or shortness of breath during exercise.

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