JamesLVacekMD

Cardiology • Kansas City, KS

Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Cardiac Electrophysiology

James L. Vacek, MD, MSc, FACC, FAHA, Professor of Medicine The University of Kansas Hospital

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Office
4000 Cambridge Street Ste G600
Suite G600
Kansas City, KS 66160
Phone+1 913-588-9600

Fax+1 913-588-9684

Education & Training

University of Kansas School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public HealthMSc, Clinical Research, Honors, 2008 - 2010
University of Kansas School of MedicineMSc, Clinical Research, With Honors, 2008 - 2010
Washington University/B-JH/SLCH ConsortiumFellowship, Cardiovascular Disease, 1980 - 1982
Washington University/B-JH/SLCH ConsortiumResidency, Internal Medicine, 1977 - 1980
Creighton University School of MedicineClass of 1977
Creighton UniversityB.S., Mathematics, Summa Cum Laude, 1973
Creighton UniversityB.S., Mathematics, Summa Cum Laude, 1973

Certifications & Licensure

MO State Medical License 1978 - 2026
KS State Medical License 1986 - 2025
American Board of Internal Medicine Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine Cardiovascular Disease

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

Young Investigator Award ASBMR, 2012
CMS Meaningful Use Stage 1 Certification EpicCare Ambulatory EMR, Epic Systems Corporation, 2012-2013
Super Doctors in Kansas City 2007-2008, 2010-2012
Cardiovascular Fellow Educator of the Year University of Kansas Medical Center, 2006
Kansas City’s Best Doctors 2004 Kansas City Magazine, 2004
Best Technology of the Decade Award KU Medical Center Research Institute, 2002
Kansas City’s Best Doctors 2002 Kansas City Magazine, 2002
Kansas City's Best Doctors 2002, 2004
Second Place Winner, Poster Competition Missouri Chapter of the American College of Physicians/American Society of Internal Medicine, 2001
Best Doctors in Central Region 1999
Best Doctors in Central Region Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith, 1999
Teacher of the Year Award Nomination Internal Medicine Residency Program, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, 1998
Medical Scholar, Grand Award St. Luke's Hospital Foundation, 1998
Best Abstract from the United States. Second International Congress of Nuclear Cardiology, 1995
3rd Best Paper in Associates Competition American College of Physicians, 1988
American College of Physicians Governor's Award Candidate for Outstanding Contributions to Resident Education by a Junior Medical Officer Society of Air Force Physicians, 1986
Received Air Force Commendation Medal U.S. Air Force, 1986
Air Force Commendation Medal U.S. Air Force, 1986
Winner, Associates Clinical Vignette Competition National Meeting of the American College of Physicians, 1986
Physicians' Recognition Award American Medical Association, 1981, 1984, 1987, 1990, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006
Lange Award for Achievement in Medical School 1976
Full Tuition Scholarship Creighton University, 1973
Air Force Health Professions Scholarship 1973
Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Recipient U.S. Air Force, 1973
Creighton University Citation for Academic Excellence Creighton University, 1970, 1972-1973, 1976
Creighton University Citation for Academic Excellence 1970, 1972-1973, 1976
Best Doctors in America 2001, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009
Super Doctor SuperDoctors.com
Whos Who in Medicine and Healthcare Marquis Whos Who
Fellow (FACC) American College of Cardiology
Scholarship Iowa State University
Best Technology of the Decade Award
Full Tuition Scholarship St. Louis University
Full Tuition Scholarships St. Louis University, Creighton University, and Nebraska University
Valedictorian of High School Class
High School Scholarship
Full Tuition Scholarship Nebraska University
Reader's Digest Scholarship Award
National Honor Society Scholarship
National Merit Scholarship Finalist
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

LEAP! Rx: A randomized trial of a pragmatic approach to lifestyle medicine.
Amber Watts, Amanda Szabo-Reed, Jordan Baker, Jill K Morris, James Vacek
Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2024-10-08
Assessment and Follow-Up of the Aortic Root by 2-Dimensional Echocardiography.
James L Vacek
The American Journal of Cardiology. 2024-06-01
Elevated Lp(a): Guidance for Identifying and Managing Patients.
Daniel E Hilleman, James L Vacek, James M Backes
Southern Medical Journal. 2024-04-01

Journal Articles

Comparison of lipid management in patients with coronary versus peripheral arterial disease
Sharma S, Thapa R, Jeevanantham V, Myers T, Hu C, Brimacombe M, Vacek JL, Dawn B, Gupta K, Am J Cardiol, 1/1/2014
Intestinal ischemia following allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a report of four cases
Prochaska L, Vacek J, Madan R, Abhyankar S, Ganguly S, McGuirk JP, Lin TL, Aljitawi OS, Transplantation Proceedings, 1/1/2014
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Predictors of Recovery and Current State of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Use
Pillarisetti J, Kondur A, Alani A, Reddy M, Vacek J, Weiner C, Ellerbeck E, Schreiber T, Lakkireddy D, J Am Coll Cardiol, 1/1/2014
Comparison of Accuracy of Two Different Methods to Determine Ankle Brachial Index to Predict Peripheral Arterial Disease Severity Confirmed by Angiography
Jeevanantham V, Chehab B, Austria E, Shrivastava R, Wiley M, Tadros P, Dawn B, Vacek J, Gupta K, Am J Cardiol, 1/1/2014
Age-dependent Impact of Fluoroscopic Radiation on the Gender of Off-spring: An International Survey of Cardiologists
Pillarisetti J, Duthuluru S, Sayana H Patel A, Goucher H, Biria M, Vacek J, Berenbom L, Bommana S, Nath J, Wiley M, Nangia A, Di Biase L, Natale A, Reddy M, Daw..., JAFib, 1/1/2013
Calcium Effects on Vascular Endpoints (CAVE) Retrospective Cohort Trial
Patel V, Bhattacharya R, Vacek JL, Open Journal of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, 1/1/2013
Hypertension Medication Use and Adherence Among Adults with Developmental Disability
Vacek JL, Hunt SL, Shireman T, Disability and Health Journal, 1/1/2013
Ezetimibe in combination with a statin does not reduce all-cause mortality
Patel AY, Pillarisetti J, Marr J, Vacek JL, J Clin Med Res, 1/1/2013
Treatment of Dyslipidemia
Sloan K, Vacek JL, J Clin Metabolism and Diabetes, 1/1/2012
Dyslipidemia: A review of pathophysiology and lipoprotein disorders
Zimmerman SK, Vacek JL, Clin Metabolism and Diabetes, 1/1/2012
Calcium Effects on Vascular Endpoints
Patel VB, Vacek JL, Graves L, Bhattacharya RK, Nutrition & Metabolism, 1/1/2012
Vitamin D Deficiency and Supplementation, And Relation to Cardiovascular Health
Vacek JL, Vanga SR, Good M, Lai SM, Lakkiredy D, Howard P, Am J Cardiol, 1/1/2012
Review-Peripheral Arterial Disease
Wiley M, Kumar A, Vacek J, Consultant, 1/1/2012
Secondary prevention following coronary artery bypass surgery: a pilot study for improved patient education
Kramer J, Howard P, Barnes B, Ababneh A, Mukhopadhyay P, Biria M, Muehlebach GF, Daon E, Zorn GL, Reed WA, Vacek JL, International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 1/1/2012
Coronary Artery Calcification Score and Computed Tomographic Coronary Angiography: A Review and Update
Abu-El-Haija B, Ababneh B, Vacek JL, Open Atherosclerosis & Thrombosis Journal, 1/1/2012
Preoperative Statin Use is not Associated with a Reduced Risk of Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery
Barnes B, Solomon S, Howard P, Lakkireddy D, Kramer J, Muehlebach G, Daon E, Zorn GL,Vacek JL, Journal of Atrial Fibrillation, 1/1/2011
The Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Use on the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease
Barnes B, Howard P, Solomon S, Chen W, Vacek JL, International J Clinical Med, 1/1/2011
Coronary artery disease in women: a review and update Cardiovascular Medicine
Simmons A, Falbe J, Vacek JL, Rev Cardiovasc Med, 1/1/2011
Imaging Techniques in Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Review
Zimmerman SK, Vacek JL, IRBD Cardiology, 1/1/2011
A Man With a Worried Heart: Transient Left Apical Ballooning and Rhabdolmyolysis
Mbogori J, Chawdhary K, Vacek JL, Am J Med, 1/1/2010
Invited article: Practice Pearls Prasugrel versus clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Solomon S, Vacek JL, Postgrad Med, 1/1/2010
A Case of Left Main Systolic Compression Caused by a Dilated Pulmonary Artery in a Patient with Congenital Pulmonic Stenosis
Simmons A, Vacek JL, Gupta K, Journal of Invasive Cardiology, 1/1/2010
Review: Vitamin D in Cardiovascular Health
Vanga SR, Good M, Howard P, Vacek JL, Am J Cardiol, 1/1/2010
Ventricular tachycardia storm - an atypical presentation of sarcoidosis exacerbation
Vanga S, Vacek J, Berenbom L, Lakkireddy D, Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J, 1/1/2009
Single Ventricle with Persistent Truncus Arteriosus
Porter I, Vacek J, Journal of Case Reports, 1/1/2008
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Books/Book Chapters

Cardiac Solutions
Chapter: Clinical trials
Vacek, JLEditors: Hubert H. Bell and G. William Pogson.1997
Exercise echocardiography
Chapter: The role of exercise echocardiography after myocardial infarction
Vacek JL, Crouse LJEditors: Crouse LJ and Kramer PH.Futura Publishing1992
Exercise echocardiography
Chapter: Non-exercise stress echocardiography: Transesophageal atrial pacing and dipyridamole infusion
Vacek, JLEditors: Crouse LJ, Kramer PK.Futura Publishing1992
Difficult diagnosis 2
Chapter: Pericarditis
Vacek JLEditors: Taylor RB.W.B. Saunders1991
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Abstracts/Posters

Comparison of lipid control among diabetics with noncoronary atherosclerotic vascular disease versus coronary artery disease
Thapa R, Sharma S, Jeevanantham V, Hu C, Myers T, Vacek JL, Dawn B, Gupta K, 63rd Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology, Washington, DC, 1/29/2014
Long-term diet and exercise outcomes after coronary artery bypass surgery: a review of recent literature
Coyan G, Reeder KM, Vacek JL, Translational Science, Washington, DC, 1/17/2013
Use of Aldosterone Antagonists at Discharge in Eligible Heart Failure Patients With a Comprehensive Heart Failure Program: Trends in Compliance With Get With the Guide...
Maybrook, RF, Afzal MR, Rankin A, Russell C, Vacek JL, The American Heart Association Quality of Care and Outcomes Research 2013 Scientific Sessions, Baltimore, MD, 1/15/2013
Personal and Community Barriers to a Heart-healthy Lifestyle in Women
Parashar S, Hui A, Vacek JL, Simmons A, The American Heart Association Quality of Care and Outcomes Research 2013 Scientific Sessions, Baltimore, MD, 1/15/2013
Behavioral Change after Heart Disease Risk Assessment in Women
Parashar S, Vacek JL, Simmons A, The American Heart Association Quality of Care and Outcomes Research 2013 Scientific Sessions, Baltimore, MD, 1/15/2013
Comparison of Lipid Control in Patients with Coronary versus Peripheral Arterial Disease
Sharma S, Thapa R, Myers T, Hu Casper, Brimacombe M, Vacek JL, Dawn B, Gupta K, The American Heart Association Quality of Care and Outcomes Research 2013 Scientific Sessions, Baltimore, MD, 1/15/2013
Development of a Comprehensive Heart Failure Management Team and its Impact in Improving Compliance with Standard of Care: Insight from the Get with the Guidelines Dat...
Afzal, MR, Maybrook RJ, Rankin A, Russell C, Dawn B, Vacek JL, American College of Cardiology 62nd Annual Scientific Session, San Francisco, CA, 1/9/2013
Annual Utilization of Healthcare Services and Estimated Costs to Families Managing Complex Heart Failure Home Care
Piamjariyakul U, Smith CE, Werkowitch M, Elyachar A, Fitzgerald S, Prinyarux C, Vacek JL, 1st Annual International Conference on Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine Research, Singapore, 1/9/2013
Calcium Supplementation and Cardiovascular Events
Patel V, Graves L, Vacek J, Bhattacharya RK, The American Society of Bone and Mineral Research Annual Sessions, Minneapolis, MN, 1/12/2012
Normal Coronary Anatomic Variants Influence False Positive Results of Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
Chehab BM, Jeevanantham V, Saad A, Butler M, Vacek J, Rosamond T, Gupta K, Dawn B, Tadros P, Wiley M, Society For Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Annual Scientific Sessions, Las Vegas, NV, 1/9/2012
Long-term Mortality After Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infection
Reddy M, Chaung J, Boolani H, Atrouni W, Atkins D, Bommana S, Pimentel R, Emert M, Berenbom L, Vacek JL, Lakkireddy D, Dendi R, American Heart Association Annual Sessions, Circulation, Los Angeles, CA, 1/3/2012
Incidence, Predictors and Clinical Course of Atrial Tachyarrhythmias in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension
Reddy M, Boolani H, Sharma S, Bakhtiani R, Duthuluri S, Duthuluri S, Reddy N, Atkins D, Bommana S, Vacek JL, Nath J, Gupta K, Dawn B, Lakkireddy D, American Heart Association Annual Sessions, Circulation, Los Angeles, CA, 1/3/2012
Feasibility, Safety, and Outcomes with a Coronary Pressure Wire System used for the Assessment of Severe Aortic Stenosis
Chehab B, Jeevanantham V, Saad A, Vacek J, Gupta K, Dawn B, Tadros P, Wiley M, American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Sessions, Chicago, IL, 1/1/2012
Aerobic Exercise Restores Most of the Left Ventricular Hemodynamic Parameters in Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats, a Model of Type 2 Diabetes
Smirnova IV, Van Hoose LD, Loganathan R, Novikova L, Stehno-Bittel L, Vacek JL, Patel PM, Al-Jarrah MD, 2nd World Congress on Diabetes and Metabolism, The Journal of Diabetes and Metabolism, Philadelphia, PA, 1/6/2011
Radiofrequency Ablation Improves Quality of Life Scores Not Only in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation But Their Significant Others Too
Vanga S, Biria M, Pillarisetti J, Atkins D, Murray C, Chen W, Berenbom L, Emert M, Pimentel R, Dendi R, Bommana S, Vacek J, Dawn B, Di Biase L, Natale A, Lakkireddy D, American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Sessions, Chicago, IL, 1/1/2011
Deficiency of 25-Hydroxy Cholecalciferol Worsens the Risk Factor Profile but Confers Protection Against Atrial Fibrillation-The Vitamin-D Paradox?
Vanga SR, Vacek JL, Good M, Nath J, Bommana S, Nagarajan DV, Dawn B, Lakkireddy D, American Heart Association Annual Scientific Sessions, Orlando, FL, 1/1/2011
The Impact of Diabetes on Cardiac Lymphatic Biomarkers and the Protective Role of Exercise Training
VanHoose LD, Novikova L, Loganathan R, Sawers Y, Vacek J, Stehno-Bittel L, Smirnova IV, 2010 NLN Conference, Lymphedema: Breaking through the Barriers, Orlando, FL, 1/22/2010
Synthetic Human Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide in Heart Failure
Sheikh A, Vacek JL, Southard J, Walsten PG, Speece T, Koehler K, Schmitt G, Fisher M, Southard L, Heart Failure Society of America Annual Sessions, San Diego, CA, 1/12/2010
Predictive Factors for Survival in Patients with Diastolic Dysfunction of Varying Severity Who Do Not have Systolic Dysfunction or Symptoms of Heart Failure
Biria M, Vanga S, Lakkireddy D, Howard PA, Vacek JL, ACC Annual Scientific Sessions, Atlanta, GA, 1/1/2010
Left Atrial Appendage Far Field Potentials Mimicking Left Superior Pulmonary Vein Potentials After Pulmonary Vein Isolation: Does Proximity Matter?
Vanga S, Pillarisetti J, Guda R, Feldkamp M, Rosamond T, Vacek JL, Dawn B, Lakkireddy D, ACC Annual Scientific Sessions, Atlanta, GA, 1/1/2010
Reasons for Under-Utilization of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Patients with Heart Failure
Pillarisetti J, Biria M, Emert M, Chotia R, Guda R, Vacek J, Dendi R, Pimentel R, Berenbom L, Lakkireddy D, Heart Rhythm Society Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, 1/1/2010
Long term Incidence of de novo Atrial Fibrillation in Patients after Open Heart Surgery
Pillarisetti J, Guda R, Falbe J, Muehlebach G, Vacek J, Lakkireddy D, Heart Rhythm Society Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, 1/1/2010
Elevated Beta Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Is it a Predictor of Successful Ablation or a Mere Function of Point in Time Atrial Rhythm?
Biria M, Pillarisetti J, Reddy N, Murray C, Patel P, Vanga S, Dendi R, Pimentel R, Emert M, Berenbom L, Vacek J, Lakkireddy D, Heart Rhythm Society Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, 1/1/2010
Left Ventricular Function in Patients with Cardiomyopathy: Predictors of Long Term Improvement
Pillarisetti J, Guda R, Emert M, Biria M, Dalton K, Vacek J, Lakkireddy D, Quality of Care and Outcomes Research in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke 2010 Scientific Sessions, Washington, DC, 1/1/2010
Hypertension in a Developmentally Disabled Population: Medication Use and Adherence Patterns
Shireman TI, Hunt SL, Vacek JL, American Heart Association Annual Scientific Sessions 2010, Chicago, IL, 1/1/2010
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Lectures

Lipid Management in the Bone Marrow Transplantation Population
1/31/2013
Cardiovascular Research
1/22/2012
The Changing Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease
Topeka, KS - 1/18/2012
Vitamin D in Cardiovascular Health and Disease
Kansas, KS, 2010; Topeka, KS, 2012 - 1/18/2012
Update in Cardiovascular Diseases 2012
Kansas, MO - 1/6/2012
Vascular Disease
1/1/2012
Noncompaction of the Left Ventricle
1/30/2009
The Heart and Brain Connection-When Risk Factors Converge
Overland Park, KS - 1/7/2009
Healthy Heart-Healthy Arteries
1/7/2009
Healthy Heart, Healthy Arteries
Overland Park, KS - 1/7/2009
The Healthy Heart-Cardiac Prevention and Wellness
1/4/2009
Case Based Conference-Quality Assurance
1/28/2008
The Healthy Heart
Kansas, MO - 1/20/2008
Echo Board Review: Principles of Color Flow Mapping
1/30/2007
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Structure, Hemodynamics, Treatment, and Follow-up
1/28/2007
Carotid Duplex Imaging
1/14/2007
Vascular Imaging: Ultrasound, CT, & MR Imaging of the Renal Arteries
1/29/2006
Vascular Imaging: Ultrasound, CT, & MR Imaging of the Lower Extremities
1/28/2006
Rest and Stress Evaluation of Aortic Stenosis
1/8/2006
Vascular Imaging: Ultrasound, CT, AN, & MR Imaging of the Aorta
1/21/2005
Nuclear Imaging: Assessment of Myocardial Viability Using Nuclear, PET, MR, or Echocardiographic Imaging
1/14/2005
Indications for Non-Invasive Arterial Imaging
1/6/2004
Echo in Evaluation of CVA
Kansas, KS - 1/3/2004
Diseases of the Pericardium
Kansas, KS - 1/16/2003
PV Renal Artery Stenosis
Kansas, KS - 1/31/2002
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Other

New Treatments For Chronic Edema in Women?
Vacek J
1/1/2000
Syncope from a Cardiologist's Perspective-James L. Vacek, M.D.
Vacek JL, Medifax Group, Ltd
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - 1/1/1992
The 18K Balloon angioplasty catheter-a new low-profile device with enhanced operating characteristics
Beauchamp GD, Vacek JL, Robuck W, Genton RE, Rowe SK, Kramer PH
1/1/1991
Drug therapy for cardiovascular disease
Vacek JL
1/1/1991
Heart Attacks
Vacek JL, Radio KBEA/KXTR
1/26/1990
The Best Treatment of an Acute Heart Attack
Vacek JL, Channel 9
1/13/1990
Cardiac Arrhythmias in Young People
Vacek JL, Kansas City Star
1/11/1990
Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Athletes
Vacek JL, Channel 9 News
1/5/1990
Dual Treatment Aids Recovery
Vacek JL, Kansas City Star
1/2/1990
Exercise and Sudden Cardiac Death
Vacek JL, Channel 5 News
1/1/1990
Walking, the Healthy Addiction
Vacek JL, Kansas City Live Magazine
1/1/1990
Reply to letter to the editor: Pericardioscopy and pericardial effusion
Vacek JL, Hawkins J
1/1/1990
The Role of Diltiazem in Hypertension Treatment
Vacek JL, Kansas City Times
1/26/1989
The Total Artificial Heart
Vacek JL, Kansas City Star-Times
1/14/1989
Stroke-The Third Leading Killer
Vacek JL, Letter published in Kansas City Star
1/4/1989
Heart Study-Signal Averaged Electrocardiography in Marathon Runners
Vacek JL, Channel 9 Television Evening News, Channel 4 Television Evening News
1/31/1988
Silent Ischemia and its Relation to Stress
Vacek JL, KCMO Radio Network
1/21/1988
Cocaine and its Effects on the Heart
Vacek JL, Kansas-Missouri Radio Network Positively Health series, Kansas Information Network
1/21/1988
Diltiazem and Heart Attacks
Vacek JL, Kansas City Times
1/19/1988
Heart Disease
Vacek JL, Kansas City Magazine
1/1/1988
Treating Heart Attacks with t-PA
Vacek JL, Kansas-Missouri Radio Network Positively Health series, Kansas Information Network
1/1/1988
Avoiding Holiday Depression
Vacek JL, KLSI 93.3
1/26/1987
When should a MUGA scan be used?
Vacek JL
1/1/1987
How a Cold or Flu Can Effect the Heart
Vacek JL, Kansas-Missouri Radio Network Positively Health series, Kansas Information Network
1/1/1987
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Press Mentions

Extra Vitamin D Doesn't Cut High Blood Pressure: StudyAugust 14th, 2013

Professional Memberships

American College of Cardiology - ACC
Fellow
American Heart Association - AHA
Fellow