Sarfraz A.K. Durrani, MBBS, MD

Dr. Sarfraz K. Durrani, MD, is an attending electrophysiologist and Director of Technology and Innovation in the Heart Rhythm section at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He also sees patients at the MedStar Heart Institute in Fairfax as well as several non-MedStar hospitals in northern Virginia, where he represents MedStar. As an electrophysiology specialist, Dr. Durrani focuses on treating patients with arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, heart block, and stroke related to atrial fibrillation.

Treatments used by Dr. Durrani include performing cardiac ablation, implanting pacemakers and defibrillators for people with heart block or a life-threatening arrhythmia, and performing left atrial appendage occlusion using the Watchman device. He was the first physician in the DC area to perform epicardial ablation for ventricular tachycardia and to implant a Watchman device to close off part of the left atrium of the heart to …prevent stroke. Dr. Durrani was also one of the first physicians in Virginia to perform cryoablation for atrial fibrillation.

Dr. Durrani is interested in improving treatment methods for atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, including exploring new approaches to persistent, or chronic, atrial fibrillation. He is also interested in pursuing innovative options for ventricular tachycardia ablation. Dr. Durrani has been a part of several national, ongoing clinical trials.

After receiving his medical degree at Kashmir University Government Medical College in India, Dr. Durrani went on to complete a residency in internal medicine at Nassau University Medical Center, State University of New York - Stony Brook. After serving as Chief Resident, Dr. Durrani spent a year conducting genetics research at the Children's National Medical Center on a fellowship from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He then continued his medical training with a cardiology fellowship at George Washington University Hospital and an electrophysiology fellowship at Duke University Medical Center.

Philosophy of Care

"I'll always work tirelessly in the interest of my patients, and I'll be the best advocate for them. When I first see a patient, my starting point is to ask myself: How would I approach this patient's care if this were my family member?' I put myself in the patient's shoes to see it from their point of view and understand what decisions I can make that serve their interests best."