Juan Villafane, MD

Biography & Affiliation Education Publications

Professor, UC Department of PediatricsProfessor, University of Kentucky

Board Certified

Biography & Affiliation

Biography

Dr. Villafane was the first cardiac electrophysiologist to report on short-QT syndrome in children. He has had several publications regarding that topic. His publications have been in major peer-reviewed journals.

He is a past governor for the Kentucky chapter of the American College of Cardiology, having served for three years. He is still active in the Kentucky chapter. In addition, he is very active in the American Heart Association, at the national, state, regional, and community levels. He played a major role in passing legislation regarding CPR training; pulse oximetry in the evaluation of critical congenital heart defects of the newborn; prevention of smoking in the young; and limitation of sugar intake in children. He was the campaign medical director for the Kentucky chapter of the American Heart Association regarding healthy drinks in kids’ meals. He was board director for the Great Rivers affiliate of the American Heart Association. He is also part of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Committee for Cardiovascular Disease in the Young for the American Heart Association.

Dr. Villafane was the co-chair, from 2015 to October, 2019, of the American Academy of Pediatric Section of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Publications and Communications committee. He received a special achievement award in 2011 from the American Academy of Pediatrics for distinguished service and dedication to the missions and goals of the Academy.

Dr. Villafane was the co-chair of the Scientific Committee for the 7th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in 2017.

Clinical Interests

Pediatric cardiology

Academic Affiliation

Professor, UC Department of PediatricsProfessor, University of Kentucky

Department

Cardiology

Education

BS: University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, 1972.

MD: University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, 1976.

Residency: Caguas Regional Hospital, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, 1979.

Fellowship: Pediatric Cardiology ,University Pediatric Hospital, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, 1981.

Trainee: Cardiac Electrophysiology with Dr. Paul C. Gillette, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 1982.

Post Medical Training: Fellow in Pediatric Cardiology, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 1986.

Publications

Selected Publication

Development of quality metrics for ambulatory care in pediatric patients with tetralogy of Fallot. Villafane, J; Edwards, TC; Diab, KA; Satou, GM; Saarel, E; Lai, WW; Serwer, GA; Karpawich, PP; Cross, R; Schiff, R; et al. Congenital Heart Disease. 2017; 12:762-767.

Cardiovascular Consequences of Childhood Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Exposure: Prevailing Evidence, Burden, and Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Raghuveer, G; White, DA; Hayman, LL; Woo, JG; Villafane, J; Celermajer, D; Ward, KD; de Ferranti, SD; Zachariah, J; Comm, AH A. Circulation. 2016; 134:e336-e359.

D-Transposition of the Great Arteries The Current Era of the Arterial Switch Operation. Villafane, J; Lantin-Hermoso, MR; Bhatt, AB; Tweddell, JS; Geva, T; Nathan, M; Elliott, MJ; Vetter, VL; Paridon, SM; Kochilas, L; et al. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2014; 64:498-511.

Melody (R) Pulmonary Valve Bacterial Endocarditis: Experience in Four Pediatric Patients and a Review of the Literature. Villafane, J; Baker, GH; III, AE H; Miller, S; Peng, L; III, BR. Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions. 2014; 84:212-218.

Short QT Syndrome Manifesting with Neonatal Atrial Fibrillation and Bradycardia. Villafane, J; Fischbach, P; Gebauer, R. Heartdrug : excellence in cardiovascular trials. 2014; 128:236-240.

Hot Topics in Tetralogy of Fallot. Villafane, J; Feinstein, JA; Jenkins, KJ; Vincent, RN; Walsh, EP; Dubin, AM; Geva, T; Towbin, JA; Cohen, MS; Fraser, C; et al. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2013; 62:2155-2166.

Long-Term Follow-Up of a Pediatric Cohort With Short QT Syndrome. Villafane, J; Atallah, J; Gollob, MH; Maury, P; Wolpert, C; Gebauer, R; Watanabe, H; Horie, M; Anttonen, O; Kannankeril, P; et al. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2013; 61:1183-1191.

Short QT Syndrome in a Pediatric Patient. Villafane, J; Young, ML; Maury, P; Wolpert, C; Anttonen, O; Hamilton, R; Kannankeril, PJ; Fischbach, PS. Pediatric Cardiology. 2009; 30:846-850.

SMALL HYPERECHOIC FOCI OF THE FETAL CARDIAC VENTRICLE - A BENIGN SONOGRAPHIC FINDING. HOW, HY; VILLAFANE, J; PARIHUS, RR; SPINNATO, JA. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 1994; 4:205-207.

COMPARISONS OF THE ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF INTRAVENOUS SOTALOL AND PROPRANOLOL ON THE IMMATURE MAMMALIAN HEART. XU, H; VILLAFANE, J; MCCORMACK, J; STOLFI, A; GELBAND, H; PICKOFF, AS. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology. 1989; 13:925-929.