WalterKClairMDMPH

Cardiac Electrophysiology

Professor of Medicine, Vice Chair for Diversity and Inclusion Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

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Office
1215 21st Ave S
MCE South Tower
Nashville, TN 37232
Phone+1 615-322-2318

Fax+1 615-936-1711
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Education & Training

Duke University HospitalFellowship, Cardiovascular Disease, 1989 - 1993
Harvard School of Public HealthMPH, 1985
Brigham and Women's HospitalResidency, Internal Medicine, 1981 - 1984
Harvard Medical SchoolClass of 1981
Harvard UniversityAB, Biology, Cum Laude, 1977

Certifications & Licensure

TN State Medical License 1993 - 2025
FL State Medical License 2013 - 2015
KY State Medical License 1996 - 2013
NC State Medical License 1989 - 1995
SC State Medical License 1985 - 1989
American Board of Internal Medicine Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

Harvard Alumni Association Award 2016
Fellow (FHRS) Heart Rhythm Society
Fellow (FAHA) American Heart Association
Nashville 2014 Father of the Year American Diabetes Association, 2014
Nashville Lifestyles Magazine Castle Connolly, 2011, 2013-2014
Distinguished Alumnus Award St. Marks School, 2013
Levi Watkins Faculty Award Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2012
Meaningful Use Stage 1 Certification Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2012
Chair, Schools Committee Harvard University, 2012
Top Doctor, Nashville 2011
Vice Chair, Schools Committee Harvard University, 2011
Five Star Excellence Award 2010, 2012
Top Doctor 2009
Cardiology Faculty Teaching Award Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2007
Chairman, Awards Committee Harvard Alumni Association, 2005
Vice Chair, Executive Committee Harvard University, 2004
Elected Director Harvard Alumni Association, 2002
Samuel T Brown III Award Jack and Jill of America, 2000
President's Award 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee, 1999
Best Doctors in America 1996
Black Achiever Award Northwest YMCA, 1994
Nashville YMCA Black Achievers Program: 1994 Adult Achiever 1994
Chairman, Visiting Committee on Diversity St. Mark's School Alumni Association, 1990
National Research Service Award 1984
Henry J. Kaiser Merit Scholar 1981
Griffin-Cress Scholarship 1978
Pre-Med Advisor Leverett House, Harvard College, 1977
Harvard Class of 1900 Scholarship 1975
Henry Nichols Award 1973
Harvard Club of Chicago Scholar 1973
Peter Musgrave Prize St Mark's School, 1972
A Better Chance Scholarship 1969
Fellow (FACC) American College of Cardiology
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Clinical Trials

Efficacy of Implantable Defibrillator Therapy After a Myocardial Infarction Start of enrollment: 2011 Mar 01
Recruiting
Phase 3
Ranolazine Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Trial Start of enrollment: 2011 Sep 01
Completed
Phase 3

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Social Determinants of Sudden Cardiac Death.
Walter K Clair> ;The New England Journal of Medicine. 2022 Oct 27
1 citations
Creation of the American Heart Association Journals' Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Editorial Board: The Next Step to Achieving the 2024 Impact Goal.
Eldrin F Lewis, Christine Beaty, Johannes Boltze, Khadijah Breathett, Walter K Clair, Lisa de Las Fuentes, Utibe R Essien, Heather Goodell, H E Hinson, Kiarri N Kersha...> ;Circulation. 2022 Sep 6
17 citations
Preventing and Managing Falls in Adults With Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.
Quin E Denfeld, Stephanie Turrise, Eric J MacLaughlin, Pei-Shiun Chang, Walter K Clair, Eldrin F Lewis, Daniel E Forman, Sarah J Goodlin> ;Circulation. Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 2022 Jun 1
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Cardiac Electrophysiology: It Is Imperative Now and for Our Future.
Walter K Clair, Elaine Y Wan, Paul J Wang> ;Circulation. Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology. 2022 Jun 1
2 citations
Patient Harassment of Medical Trainees: Reflections for a More Inclusive Future.
Nina D Arhin, Caroline A Nebhan, Walter K Clair> ;JAMA Oncology. 2022 Apr 1
1 citations
Pandemic Highlights Disparities in Health Care.
Jonathan Chrispin, Camille Frazier-Mills, Felix Sogade, Elaine Wan, Walter K. Clair> ;Circulation. Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology. 2021 May 1
Lead Integrity Alert Triggered by T-wave Oversensing
Asad A. Aboud, Walter K. Clair> ;The Journal of Innovations in Cardiac Rhythm Management. 2020 Feb 15
3 citations
Premature battery depletion due to compromised low-voltage capacitor in a family of defibrillators.
Jay A. Montgomery, Janice Y. Sensing, Sandra D. Saunders, Walter K. Clair, Robert L. Abraham, Arvindh Kanagasundram, Christopher R. Ellis, George H. Crossley, Moore Be...> ;Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology. 2019 Jul 1
2 citations
Framing Medicine as a Moral Practice: An Introductory Medical School Course
Ban Mishu Allos, Elizabeth Ann Yakes, Amy Fleming, William B. Cutrer, Michael A. Pilla, Walter K. Clair, Michael J. Fowler, Bonnie M. Miller> ;Academic Medicine. 2018 Sep 1
35 citations
Cardiac sympathectomy for the management of ventricular arrhythmias refractory to catheter ablation
Travis D. Richardson, Ricardo M. Lugo, Pablo Saavedra, George H. Crossley, Walter K. Clair, Sharon Shen, Juan Carlos Estrada, Jay A. Montgomery, M. Benjamin Shoemaker,...> ;Heart Rhythm. 2018 Jan 1
3 citations
Direct cardiologist involvement in ED triage of cardiology patients
Ken Monahan, William S Bradham, Sean P. Collins, Michael T Baker, Geoffrey Chidsey, C. Scott English, F. Andrew Gaffney, Raphael See, Walter K. Clair, Daniel Muñoz> ;The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2016 Feb 1
6 citations
Sudden Cardiac Death Despite a Functional Cardioverter-Defibrillator: The Case for Early and Aggressive Therapy for Ventricular Tachycardia in Selected Patients.
Jay A. Montgomery, Arvindh N. Kanagasundram, M.P.H. Walter K. Clair M.D., Jeffrey N. Rottman, George H. Crossley> ;Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology. 2016 Jan 1
50 citations
Efficacy of a Bio-Absorbable Antibacterial Envelope to Prevent Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infections in High-Risk Subjects.
Matthew J. Kolek, Neel J. Patel, M.P.H. Walter K. Clair M.D., S. Patrick Whalen, Jeffrey N. Rottman, Arvindh Kanagasundram, Sharon T. Shen, Pablo J. Saavedra, Juan C. ...> ;Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology. 2015 Oct 1
1 citations
Apparent Failure to Sense during Temporary Pacing with a Permanent Pulse Generator.
Walter K. Clair, Jay A. Montgomery, Christopher R. Ellis> ;Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology. 2015 Jun 1
1 citations
Palpitations: an annoyance that may require clairvoyance.
Brendan W. Reagan, Robert L. Huang, Walter K. Clair> ;Circulation. 2012 Feb 21
17 citations
A Heart Rhythm Society Electrophysiology Workforce Study: Current survey analysis of physician workforce trends
Thomas F. Deering, Walter K. Clair, M. Craig Delaughter, Westby G. Fisher, Ann C. Garlitski, Bruce L. Wilkoff, Anne M. Gillis> ;Heart Rhythm. 2010 Sep 1
1 citations
A memorable experience
Ken Monahan, Walter K. Clair, Dan M. Roden> ;Europace. 2007 Nov 1
53 citations
Incidence of symptomatic atrial fibrillation in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
Mark E. Hamer, William E. Wilkinson, Walter K. Clair, Richard L. Page, Elizabeth A. McCarthy, Edward L.C. Pritchett> ;Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 1995 Apr 1
8 citations
Evaluation of outpatients experiencing implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks associated with minimal symptoms.
Mark E. Hamer, Walter K. Clair, William E. Wilkinson, Ruth Ann Greenfield, Edward L.C. Pritchett, Richard L. Page> ;Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology. 1994 May 1
470 citations
Asymptomatic arrhythmias in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.
Robert L. Page, William E. Wilkinson, Walter K. Clair, Elizabeth A. McCarthy, Edward L.C. Pritchett> ;Circulation. 1994 Jan 1
12 citations
Comparison of mortality in patients treated with propafenone to those treated with a variety of antiarrhythmic drugs for supraventricular arrhythmias
Edward L.C. Pritchett, William E. Wilkinson, Walter K. Clair, Elizabeth A. McCarthy> ;The American Journal of Cardiology. 1993 Jul 1
81 citations
Spontaneous occurrence of symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in untreated patients.
Walter K. Clair, William E. Wilkinson, Elizabeth A. McCarthy, Robert L. Page, Edward L.C. Pritchett> ;Circulation. 1993 Apr 1
3 citations
Treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia with oral diltiazem.
Walter K. Clair, William E. Wilkinson, Elizabeth A. McCarthy, Edward L.C. Pritchett> ;Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 1992 May 1
93 citations
Racial differences in responses to thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator. Increased fibrin(ogen)olysis in blacks. The Thrombolysis an...
David C. Sane, D.C. Stump, Eric J. Topol, Kristina N. Sigmon, Walter K. Clair, Dean J. Kereiakes, Barry S. George, M F Stoddard, Eric R. Bates, Richard S. Stack> ;Circulation. 1991 Jan 1
9 citations
Allopurinol use and the risk of cataract formation.
Walter K. Clair, Leo T. Chylack, E F Cook, L Goldman> ;The British Journal of Ophthalmology. 1989 Mar 1
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Journal Articles

Apparent Failure to Sense During temporary Pacing with a Permanent Pulse Generator
Clair, WK , Montgomery, J and Ellis, CR, PACE, 1/26/2014
A Travel Alert
Clair, WK, William, H, Hygaard, BJ and Saavedra, PJ, The Journal of Innovations in Cardiac Rhythm Management, 1/1/2013
MRI Conditional Pacemakers: The Future Begins Here
Sabin, D and Clair, WK, The Journal of Innovations in Cardiac Rhythm Management, 1/1/2012
Workforce Study: Current Survey Analysis of Physician Workforce Trends
Deering TF, Clair WK, Delaughter MC, Fisher WG, Garlitski AC, Wilkoff BL, and Gillis AM, Heart Rhythm, 1/1/2010
Atrial Fibrillation: The Acute Management of a Chronic Problem
Clair WK, Cardioscapes, 1/1/1998
Incidence of Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia
Hamer ME, Wilkinson WE, Clair WK, Page RL, McCarthy EA and Pritchett ELC, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 1/1/1995
Evaluation of Outpatients Experiencing Implantable Cardioverted Defibrillator Shocks Associated with Minimal Symptoms
Hamer ME, Clair WK, Wilkinson WE, Greenfield RA, Pritchett ELC and Page RL, PACE, 1/1/1994
Comparison of Mortality in Patients Treated with Propafenone for Supraventricular Arrhythmias
Pritchett ELC, Wilkinson WE, Clair WK and McCarthy EA, American Journal of Cardiology, 1/1/1993
The Spontaneous Occurrence of Symptomatic Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia in Untreated Patients
Clair WK, Wilkinson WE, McCarthy EA, Page RL and Pritchett ELC, Circulation, 1/1/1993
Treatment of Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia with Oral Diltiazem
Clair WK, Wilkinson WE, McCarthy EA and Pritchett ELC, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 1/1/1992
Racial Differences in Response to Thrombolytic Therapy with Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator: Increased Fibrin(ogen)olysis in Blacks
Sane DC, Stump DC, Topol EJ, Sigmon MA, Clair WK, et al, Circulation, 1/1/1991
Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Mental Health Patients
Clair WK, Eleazer GP, Hazlett LJ, et al, Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association, 1/1/1989
Allopurinol Use and the Risk of Cataract Formation
Clair WK, Chylack LT, Cook EF and Goldman L, British Journal of Ophthalmology, 1/1/1989
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Books/Book Chapters

Acute Care Surgery
Chapter: Cardiovascular Failure and Circulatory Support, Monitoring and Essential Adjuncts
Morris JA, Tot M, Casimir FJ, Clair WK and Glazer MEditors: Britt, LD, Barie P, Jurkovich G, and Peitzman A.Lippincott Williams and Wilkins2012

Abstracts/Posters

Strategies for the Safe Performance of MRI in ICD Patients
Gimbel JR, Trohman RG, Lindsay WC, Clair WK, Wilkoff BL, PACE, 1/1/2002
Frequency of Asymptomatic Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia in Patients Followed by Trans-telephonic Electrocardiogram Monitor
Page RL, Wilkinson WE, McCarthy EA, Clair WK, and Pritchett ELC, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 1/1/1992

Lectures

"Lead Position, Pacing Algorithms, and MRI" ( Oral Abstracts Co-Chair)
San Francisco, CA - 1/8/2014
Cardiac Electronic Implantable Devices and the "End of Life " Patient "
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville TN - 1/5/2014
Ten Things to Know about Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices in 2013
Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN - 1/25/2013
Electromagnetic Interference and My Patient's Device
Vanderbilt Heart, Vanderbilt Student Life Center, Nashville, TN - 1/22/2013
Sudden Death In African Americans
Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus , Ohio - 1/26/2012
What to Know about Your Patient's Device
Vanderbilt Heart, Hutton Hotel, Nashville, TN - 1/24/2012
"Arrhythmias in African Americans", (Program Co-Chair)
Boston, MA - 1/11/2012
Review of Supraventricular Dysrhythmias
Jamaica Conference Center, Kingston, Jamaica - 1/7/2012
Device Basics
Jamaica Conference Center, Kingston, Jamaica - 1/7/2012
What to Know about Your Patient's CIED
Vanderbilt Heart, Hutton Hotel, Nashville, TN - 1/26/2011
What the Cardiologist Ought to Know about CIEDs in 2011
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN - 1/21/2011
Pacemakers and Defibrillators
Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN - 1/16/2011
History of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices
Millennium Broadway Hotel, New York, NY - 1/10/2011
Insights from "Pairs" on the Surface ECG
Vanderbilt Heart, Hutton Hotel, Nashville, TN - 1/27/2010
From Private Practice to Academics: The Vanderbilt Experience
Denver, CO - 1/13/2010
Approach to the Patient with Wide Complex Tachycardia
Vanderbilt Heart, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Nashville, TN - 1/27/2009
Paying for Modern Cardiovascular Advances
Colorado Heart Institute, Aurora, Colorado - 1/19/2009
ECG Reading for Physicians -MI Mimics
Vanderbilt Student Life Center, Nashville, TN - 1/7/2009
Troubleshooting Pacemakers and ICDs in the OR and ER
Vanderbilt, Heart, Marriot Nashville at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN - 1/22/2008
Disparities in Sudden Cardiac Death
Sunny Isles, Florida - 1/20/2008
Is Device Therapy Underutilized?
LeParker Meridien, New York - 1/3/2008
The Role of Resynchronization Therapy in Patient with Heart Failure
Vanderbilt Heart, Marriot Nashville at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN - 1/24/2007
Embracing the Heart
Sheraton Music City Hotel, Nashville Tennessee - 1/23/2007
Sudden Cardiac Death: Another Disparity Battleground
Kansas City, Missouri - 1/12/2007
Examining Disparities in Sudden Cardiac Death Prevention
Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee - 1/12/2007
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Press Mentions

Let's Give Them Something to Talk About!May 14th, 2021
Ascension West, Midtown Gets New President, CEOApril 23rd, 2021
Vanderbilt’s Clair Receives Harvard Medal for “Extraordinary Service”April 15th, 2021
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