Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Akif Vatankulu

1996–2002 — Ankara Üniversitesi медицинский факультет

2003–2008 — Selçuk Üniversitesi Meram медицинский факультет, специализация по кардиологии

2005–2006 — Royal Brompton Hospital, Лондон, Research Fellow

2010–2014 — Bezmialem Vakıf Üniversitesi медицинский факультет, должность ассистент-профессора

2014–2015 — Bezmialem Vakıf Üniversitesi медицинский факультет, доцентура

Коронарная ангиография, баллонная ангиопластика и стентирование

Периферическая и каротидная ангиография и стентирование

Имплантация и наблюдение кардиостимулятора

Чрескожные клапанные вмешательства и TAVI

Сердечная недостаточность и гипертензия

2008–2009 — Больница Sivas Numune

2009–2010 — Учебно-исследовательская больница Ankara Etlik İhtisas

2010–2015 — Университет Bezmialem Vakıf — Кардиология

2016 — Больница Medical Park Bahçelievler

2017–2023 — Avicenna Esenler Hospital; Avcılar Özel Vera Medical Center

2023–2024 — Больница Medilife Beylikdüzü

2024 — Больница Medical Park Florya

Турецкое кардиологическое общество

European Society of Cardiology

Английский

New Markers in Atherosclerosis: Thrombospondin-2 (THBS-2) and Leukocyte Cell-Derived Chemotaxin-2 (LECT-2); An Immunohistochemical Study. Sonmez FC, Yildiz P, Akhtar MS, Aydin C, Sonmez O, Ay N, Vatankulu MA. Med Sci Monit. 2016 Dec 31;22:5234-5239. doi: 10.12659/msm.898889. PMID: 28039493

Improvements in quality of life in septuagenarians versus octogenarians undergoing trans-catheter aortic valve replacement. Ay NK, Ay Y, Sönmez O, Vatankulu MA, Göktekin Ö. J Geriatr Cardiol. 2016 Jul;13(5):439-43. doi: 10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2016.05.006. PMID: 27594873

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute heart failure. Turfan M, Erdoğan E, Tasal A, Vatankulu MA, Jafarov P, Sönmez O, Ertaş G, Bacaksız A, Göktekin O. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2014 Mar;69(3):190-3. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2014(03)08. PMID: 24626945

Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase levels and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute heart failure. Turfan M, Tasal A, Erdogan E, Vatankulu MA, Jafarov P, Sonmez O, Ertas G, Bacaksız A, Ergelen M, Goktekın O. Kardiol Pol. 2014;72(8):735-9. doi: 10.5603/KP.a2014.0048. Epub 2014 Feb 14. PMID: 24526562

Endovascular therapy of acute ischaemic stroke by interventional cardiologists: single-centre experience from Turkey. Goktekin O, Tasal A, Uyarel H, Vatankulu MA, Sonmez O, Kul S, Ay N, Yamac H, Altintas O, Karadeli H, Kolukisa M, Aralasmak A, Asil T. EuroIntervention. 2014 Nov;10(7):876-83. doi: 10.4244/EIJV10I7A149. PMID: 25415153

A new parameter predicting chronic total occlusion of coronary arteries: platelet distribution width. Vatankulu MA, Sonmez O, Ertas G, Bacaksiz A, Turfan M, Erdogan E, Tasal A, Kul S, Uyarel H, Goktekin O. Angiology. 2014 Jan;65(1):60-4. doi: 10.1177/0003319713486339. Epub 2013 May 1. PMID: 23636855

Novel fibro-inflammation markers in assessing left atrial remodeling in non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Sonmez O, Ertem FU, Vatankulu MA, Erdogan E, Tasal A, Kucukbuzcu S, Goktekin O. Med Sci Monit. 2014 Mar 21;20:463-70. doi: 10.12659/MSM.890635. PMID: 24651058

Endovascular therapy of acute ischemic stroke by interventional cardiologists: initial national experience. Tasal A, Bacaksız A, Vatankulu MA, Asil T, Göktekin O. Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars. 2013 Dec;41(8):683-90. doi: 10.5543/tkda.2013.48313. PMID: 24351941

Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio is associated with thromboembolic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Ertaş G, Sönmez O, Turfan M, Kul S, Erdoğan E, Tasal A, Bacaksiz A, Vatankulu MA, Altıntaş O, Uyarel H, Göktekin O. J Neurol Sci. 2013 Jan 15;324(1-2):49-52. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2012.09.032. Epub 2012 Oct 16. PMID: 23084070

Red cell distribution width predicts new-onset atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting. Ertaş G, Aydin C, Sönmez O, Erdoğan E, Turfan M, Tasal A, Bacaksiz A, Vatankulu MA, Uyarel H, Ergelen M, Zeybek R, Göktekin Ö. Scand Cardiovasc J. 2013 Jun;47(3):132-5. doi: 10.3109/14017431.2012.736636. Epub 2012 Oct 18. PMID: 23035619

Response to letter regarding "a new parameter predicting chronic total occlusion of coronary arteries: platelet distribution width". Vatankulu MA, Sonmez O, Bacaksiz A. Angiology. 2014 Jan;65(1):66. doi: 10.1177/0003319713502702. Epub 2013 Sep 18. PMID: 24052519

Early experience of percutaneous paravalvular leak closure using a novel Occlutech occluder. Goktekin O, Vatankulu MA, Ozhan H, Ay Y, Ergelen M, Tasal A, Aydin C, İsmail Z, Ates İ, Hijazi Z. EuroIntervention. 2016 Feb;11(10):1195-200. doi: 10.4244/EIJV11I10A237. PMID: 26897292

Relation between mean platelet volume and severity of atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Murat SN, Duran M, Kalay N, Gunebakmaz O, Akpek M, Doger C, Elcik D, Ocak A, Vatankulu MA, Turfan M, Kasapkara HA, Akin F, Sahin M, Kaya MG. Angiology. 2013 Feb;64(2):131-6. doi: 10.1177/0003319711436247. Epub 2012 Feb 14. PMID: 22334878

Plasma concentrations of soluble CD40 ligand in smokers with acute myocardial infarction: a pilot study. Kayrak M, Bacaksiz A, Ulgen MS, Vatankulu MA, Zengin K, Ayhan SS, Basaralı MK, Büyükbas S, Kiyici A. Heart Vessels. 2011 Mar;26(2):131-7. doi: 10.1007/s00380-010-0036-x. Epub 2010 Oct 27. PMID: 20978895

Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with P-wave prolongation and increased P-wave dispersion. Erdogan E, Akkaya M, Turfan M, Batmaz G, Bacaksız A, Tasal A, Ilhan M, Kul S, Sönmez O, Vatankulu MA, Tasan E. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2013 Sep;29(9):830-3. doi: 10.3109/09513590.2013.813474. Epub 2013 Jul 15. PMID: 23855355

Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: an observational study. Erdoğan E, Akkaya M, Bacaksız A, Tasal A, Turfan M, Kul S, Sönmez O, Vatankulu MA, Ertaş G, Batmaz G, Ergelen M, Uyarel H, Göktekin O. Anadolu Kardiyol Derg. 2013 Dec;13(8):784-90. doi: 10.5152/akd.2013.196. Epub 2013 Aug 28. PMID: 23996806

Association between serum cystatin C levels and coronary slow flow. Tasal A, Bacaksiz A, Ertas G, Vatankulu MA, Kul S, Sari S, Dãœz ME, Erdogan E, Sonmez O, Goktekin O. Angiology. 2014 Oct;65(9):831-7. doi: 10.1177/0003319713505697. Epub 2013 Oct 7. PMID: 24101711

Burden of coronary artery disease in adults with congenital heart disease and its relation to congenital and traditional heart risk factors. Giannakoulas G, Dimopoulos K, Engel R, Goktekin O, Kucukdurmaz Z, Vatankulu MA, Bedard E, Diller GP, Papaphylactou M, Francis DP, Di Mario C, Gatzoulis MA. Am J Cardiol. 2009 May 15;103(10):1445-50. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2009.01.353. Epub 2009 Apr 1. PMID: 19427444

The role of real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in assessing Libman-Sacks endocarditis. Vatankulu MA, Erdogan E, Tasal A, Sonmez O, Cinar A, Aydin C, Goktekin O. Echocardiography. 2012 Sep;29(8):E216-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8175.2012.01761.x. Epub 2012 Jun 5. PMID: 22671937

Effect of estimated glomerular filtration rate on periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention. Vatankulu MA, Murat SN, Demircelik B, Turfan M, Sonmez O, Duran M, Bacaksiz A, Ornek E, Tasal A, Goktekin O. Ren Fail. 2013 Aug;35(7):931-5. doi: 10.3109/0886022X.2013.808132. Epub 2013 Jun 27. PMID: 23803143

The effect of smoking on myocardial performance index in middle-aged males after first acute myocardial infarction. Bacaksiz A, Kayrak M, Vatankulu MA, Ayhan SS, Sonmez O, Akilli H, Aribas A, Ari H, Ozdemir K. Echocardiography. 2013 Feb;30(2):155-63. doi: 10.1111/echo.12029. Epub 2012 Nov 21. PMID: 23167610

Short-term effect of percutaneous recanalization of chronic total occlusions on QT dispersion and heart rate variability parameters. Erdogan E, Akkaya M, Bacaksız A, Tasal A, Sönmez O, Asoglu E, Kul S, Sahın M, Turfan M, Vatankulu MA, Göktekin O. Med Sci Monit. 2013 Aug 23;19:696-702. doi: 10.12659/MSM.889511. PMID: 23969577

Transcatheter trans-apical closure of paravalvular mitral and aortic leaks using a new device: first in man experience. Goktekin O, Vatankulu MA, Tasal A, Sönmez O, Başel H, Topuz U, Ergelen M, Hijazi ZM. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2014 Feb;83(2):308-14. doi: 10.1002/ccd.25006. Epub 2013 Jul 2. PMID: 23703912

Circadian Rhythm of Infarct Size and Left Ventricular Function Evaluated with Tissue Doppler Echocardiography in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction. Arı H, Sonmez O, Koc F, Alıhanoglu Y, Ozdemır K, Vatankulu MA. Heart Lung Circ. 2016 Mar;25(3):250-6. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2015.06.833. Epub 2015 Sep 28. PMID: 26475647

Atorvastatin given prior to electrical cardioversion does not affect the recurrence of atrial fibrillation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation who are on antiarrhythmic therapy. Demir K, Can I, Koc F, Vatankulu MA, Ayhan S, Akilli H, Aribas A, Alihanoglu Y, Altunkeser BB. Med Princ Pract. 2011;20(5):464-9. doi: 10.1159/000327674. Epub 2011 Jul 11. PMID: 21757938 Clinical Trial.

Exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise--a new portent of masked hypertension. Kayrak M, Bacaksiz A, Vatankulu MA, Ayhan SS, Kaya Z, Ari H, Sonmez O, Gok H. Clin Exp Hypertens. 2010;32(8):560-8. doi: 10.3109/10641963.2010.503298. PMID: 21091361

Is diastolic dysfunction associated with atrial electrocardiographic parameters in Behçet's disease? Koc F, Koc S, Yuksek J, Vatankulu MA, Ozbek K, Gul EE, Celik A, Inanir A, Kadi H, Ceyhan K, Karayakali M, Ozturk A. Acta Cardiol. 2011 Oct;66(5):607-12. doi: 10.1080/ac.66.5.2131086. PMID: 22032055

Association between exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise and serum asymmetric dimethylarginine levels. Kayrak M, Bacaksiz A, Vatankulu MA, Ayhan SS, Taner A, Unlü A, Yazici M, Ulgen MS. Circ J. 2010 Jun;74(6):1135-41. doi: 10.1253/circj.cj-09-0419. Epub 2010 Apr 27. PMID: 20453387

Is postdilatation with a noncompliant balloon necessary after coronary stent deployment during primary angioplasty? Tasal A, Bacaksiz A, Vatankulu MA, Turfan M, Erdogan E, Sonmez O, Kul S, Ertas G, Sevgili E, Goktekin O. J Interv Cardiol. 2013 Aug;26(4):325-31. doi: 10.1111/joic.12041. PMID: 23941650

Early assessment of percutaneous coronary interventions for chronic total occlusions analyzed by novel echocardiographic techniques. Erdogan E, Akkaya M, Bacaksiz A, Tasal A, Sönmez O, Elbey MA, Kul S, Vatankulu MA, Turfan M, Göktekin Ö. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2013 Oct;68(10):1333-7. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2013(10)07. PMID: 24212840

The relationship between coronary sinus and impaired right ventricular myocardial performance index in mitral stenosis. Vatankulu MA, Koc F, Gul EE, Bacaksiz A, Sonmez O, Demir K, Alihanoglu Y, Ari H, Ayhan S, Tokac M. Echocardiography. 2013 Sep;30(8):936-9. doi: 10.1111/echo.12157. Epub 2013 Mar 12. PMID: 23488940

Comparison of single-dose and repeated levosimendan infusion in patients with acute exacerbation of advanced heart failure. Tasal A, Demir M, Kanadasi M, Bacaksiz A, Vatankulu MA, Sahin DY, Eker RA, Bozkurt A, Acarturk E. Med Sci Monit. 2014 Feb 19;20:276-82. doi: 10.12659/MSM.889767. PMID: 24549281 Clinical Trial.

Percutaneous renal sympathetic denervation combined with empirical Purkinje de-networking for electrical storm in congenital long QT syndrome after cardiac sympathetic denervation: a case report with two consecutive patients. Aksu T, Ermiş E, Huraibat A, Onac M, Niang M, Vatankulu MA, Ucar H, Huang HD. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2026 Apr 23. doi: 10.1007/s10840-026-02324-8. Online ahead of print. PMID: 42020833

[Three case reports of the use of herbal combinations resulted in stent thrombosis: herbal combinations; friend or foe?]. Vatankulu MA, Tasal A, Erdoğan E, Göktekin Ö. Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars. 2012 Apr;40(3):265-8. doi: 10.5543/tkda.2012.84565. PMID: 22864325 Turkish.

A rare but serious complication of percutaneous coronary intervention: spinal cord embolism. Vatankulu MA, Kayrak M, Alihanoglu Y, Salli A, Ulgen MS. J Spinal Cord Med. 2010;33(1):85-9. doi: 10.1080/10790268.2010.11689680. PMID: 20397450

A new prognostic evaluation of patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty: combined Zwolle and Syntax score. Kul S, Uyarel H, Turfan M, Ertas G, Vatankulu MA, Kucukdagli OT, Ergelen M, Erer HB, Guvenc TS, Goktekin O. Kardiol Pol. 2014;72(2):146-54. doi: 10.5603/KP.a2013.0183. Epub 2013 Aug 30. PMID: 23990229

Utility of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio for predicting in-hospital mortality after levosimendan infusion in patients with acute decompensated heart failure. Tasal A, Erturk M, Uyarel H, Karakurt H, Bacaksiz A, Vatankulu MA, Turfan M, Sonmez O, Erdogan E, Ergelen M. J Cardiol. 2014 Jun;63(6):418-23. doi: 10.1016/j.jjcc.2013.10.009. Epub 2013 Nov 20. PMID: 24268422

The role of three-dimensional echocardiography in diagnosis and management of ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm. Vatankulu MA, Tasal A, Erdogan E, Sonmez O, Goktekin O. Echocardiography. 2013 Sep;30(8):E260-2. doi: 10.1111/echo.12248. Epub 2013 May 11. PMID: 23663096

Post procedural changes in frontal QRS-T angle predict electrical disturbances after self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Alıç E, Onaç M, Niang M, Gökalp M, Özyılmaz SÖ, Huraibat A, Tüner H, Vatankulu MA, Uçar H. J Electrocardiol. 2026 Jul-Aug;97:154264. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2026.154264. Epub 2026 Apr 23. PMID: 42068838

Assessment of the left atrial volume index and plasma NT-proANP level in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Bacaksiz A, Vatankulu MA, Kayrak M, Telli HH, Ayhan SS, Sonmez O, Alp A, Buyukbas S. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2013 Jul;68(7):997-1003. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2013(07)18. PMID: 23917666

Effect of long-term resynchronization therapy on left ventricular remodeling in pacemaker patients upgraded to biventricular devices. Vatankulu MA, Goktekin O, Kaya MG, Ayhan S, Kucukdurmaz Z, Sutton R, Henein M. Am J Cardiol. 2009 May 1;103(9):1280-4. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2009.01.023. PMID: 19406272

A new quantitative analysis system for the evaluation of coronary bifurcation lesions: comparison with current conventional methods. Goktekin O, Kaplan S, Dimopoulos K, Barlis P, Tanigawa J, Vatankulu MA, Koning G, Tuinenburg JC, Mario CD. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2007 Feb 1;69(2):172-80. doi: 10.1002/ccd.20946. PMID: 17191235

Intravenous N-acetylcysteine plus high-dose hydration versus high-dose hydration and standard hydration for the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy: CASIS--a multicenter prospective controlled trial. Koc F, Ozdemir K, Kaya MG, Dogdu O, Vatankulu MA, Ayhan S, Erkorkmaz U, Sonmez O, Aygul MU, Kalay N, Kayrak M, Karabag T, Alihanoglu Y, Gunebakmaz O. Int J Cardiol. 2012 Mar 22;155(3):418-23. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2010.10.041. Epub 2010 Nov 23. PMID: 21106264 Clinical Trial.

Does spironolactone have a dose-dependent effect on left ventricular remodeling in patients with preserved left ventricular function after an acute myocardial infarction? Vatankulu MA, Bacaksiz A, Sonmez O, Alihanoglu Y, Koc F, Demir K, Gul EE, Turfan M, Tasal A, Kayrak M, Yazici M, Ozdemir K. Cardiovasc Ther. 2013 Aug;31(4):224-9. doi: 10.1111/1755-5922.12006. PMID: 22963506 Clinical Trial.

Further Considerations in Paravalvular Leak Closure. Vatankulu MA, Goktekin O. Can J Cardiol. 2026 Sep;42(9):2012. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2026.02.013. Epub 2026 Feb 11. PMID: 41688016

Thrombolytic treatment of simultaneous pulmonary embolism and impending paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale: a different thrombolytic regimen. Turfan M, Vatankulu MA, Murat SN, Oksuz F, Duran M, Ornek E. Heart Lung Circ. 2012 Apr;21(4):225-8. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2011.10.001. Epub 2011 Nov 13. PMID: 22079089

A giant right atrial villous myxoma with simultaneous pulmonary embolism. Aydın C, Taşal A, Ay Y, Vatankulu MA, Inan B, Bacaksız A. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2014;5(4):206-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2013.11.014. Epub 2013 Dec 10. PMID: 24657800

Prevalence of risk factors of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in Turkish patients living in Central Anatolia. Aygül N, Ozdemir K, Abaci A, Aygül MU, Düzenli MA, Vatankulu MA, Yazici HU, Ozdoğru I, Karakaya E. Anadolu Kardiyol Derg. 2009 Feb;9(1):3-8. PMID: 19196566

Anesthetic management for a patient with transcatheter mitral valve implantation. Karaaslan K, Topuz U, Vatankulu MA, Ozturk E. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2014 Feb;28(1):115-117. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2012.12.011. Epub 2013 May 30. PMID: 23725687

Diastolic functions and myocardial performance index in obese patients with or without metabolic syndrome: a tissue Doppler study. Koç F, Tokaç M, Kaya C, Kayrak M, Yazıcı M, Karabağ T, Vatankulu MA, Ayhan S, Demir K. Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars. 2010 Sep;38(6):400-4. PMID: 21200118

The relationship between admission hemoglobin level and left ventricular systolic functions in patients with first ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction. Sen N, Yazici HU, Tavil Y, Poyraz F, Turfan M, Aygül N, Vatankulu MA, Ozdoğru I, Abaci A. Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars. 2010 Jun;38(4):233-8. PMID: 20935428

Controlled removal of a dislodged stent causing myocardial ischemia 1 year after stent placement. Erdoğan E, Vatankulu MA, Akkaya M, Bacaksiz A. Anadolu Kardiyol Derg. 2013 Feb;13(1):E2. doi: 10.5152/akd.2013.016. Epub 2012 Nov 5. PMID: 23128549

Corrigendum to 'Circadian Rhythm of Infarct Size and Left Ventricular Function Evaluated with Tissue Doppler Echocardiography in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction': [Heart, Lung and Circulation, 25 (2016) 250-256]. Arı H, Sonmez O, Koc F, Alıhanoglu Y, Ozdemır K, Vatankulu MA. Heart Lung Circ. 2016 Nov;25(11):e158. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2016.09.001. PMID: 27725094

Coronary stenting for acute myocardial infarction in a patient with an anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery. Duran M, Ornek E, Murat SN, Demircelik B, Vatankulu MA, Turfan M, Kurtul A. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2011 Jun;12(6):436-8. doi: 10.2459/JCM.0b013e328344bd29. PMID: 21415765

When 95% Atrial Pacing Does Not Mean Pacemaker Dependency. Aksu T, Ermis E, Huraibat A, Onac M, Hamza A, Niang M, Vatankulu MA, Yalin K, Uçar H. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2026 Aug 22. doi: 10.1007/s10840-026-02421-8. Online ahead of print. PMID: 42631909

Electrocardiographic P-wave characteristics in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Bacaksiz A, Erdogan E, Tasal A, Vatankulu MA, Kul S, Sevgili E, Ertas G, Dizman D, Onsun N, Uysal O. Ups J Med Sci. 2013 Mar;118(1):35-41. doi: 10.3109/03009734.2012.744372. Epub 2012 Nov 15. PMID: 23153368

The thrombus image in the huge left atrial appendage. Vatankulu MA, Gul EE, Kayrak M. Cardiol J. 2010;17(1):96-7. PMID: 20104465

Serum asymmetric dimethylarginine levels in normotensive obese individuals. Koc F, Tokac M, Erdem S, Kaya C, Unlu A, Karabag T, Vatankulu MA, Demir K, Ayhan S, Kaya A. Med Sci Monit. 2010 Nov;16(11):CR536-9. PMID: 20980957

Familial sick sinus syndrome. Sönmez O, Bacaksız A, Vatankulu MA, Ulucan H, Göktekin O. Anadolu Kardiyol Derg. 2013 Nov;13(7):727-8. doi: 10.5152/akd.2013.248. Epub 2013 Oct 23. PMID: 24172807