Dr Ali Khavandi

Professional statement

Dr Ali Khavandi is a leading consultant interventional cardiologist who sees patients at Spire Bristol Hospital and the Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Foundation Trust. He specialises in advanced rhythm device implantation and complex angioplasty. His special interests include optimal surgical techniques for 'hidden' pacemaker implantation and integrated dietary approaches to weight and cardiovascular risk factors.

He is an expert in minimising pacemaker scars and has a national profile for surgical skills training relevant to cardiology. His thorough knowledge has led to close collaboration with plastic surgeons to establish techniques for minimising pacemaker scars and 'hidden' devices. Dr Khavandi provides a relatively unique service for patients with options to revise previous unsightly scars or uncomfortable devices.

He also provides tailored dietary prevention and weight management service for patients with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and associated conditions such as atrial fibrillation. He helps patients significantly reduce their tablet medication burden, avoid more complex treatments and improve symptoms through simple dietary and lifestyle changes.

Dr Khavandi is part of the 24/7 emergency team offering treatments for the regional heart attack service at the Bristol Heart Institute. He implants complex defibrillators and pacemakers at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon. He is the founder and director of the Essential Surgical Skills course offered at the Royal College of Surgeons, as well as the Consultant-only Advanced Surgical Techniques course for leadless defibrillator implantation.

Dr Khavandi went to University in Manchester, which resulted in the professorial house job. He also trained in London and Bristol. The majority of cardiac training he undertook was at the Heart Institute. Dr Khavandi's first consultant appointment was at the prestigious Royal Harefield and Brompton NHS Foundation Trust. He has made various appearances on BBC Horizons and he currently writes on the subject of diet and health for the Observer. He has had papers published in international journals on a number of subjects.