Dr John T Y Hii BMBS FRACP FCSANZ

Dr John Hii is a cardiologist and electrophysiologist with a special interest in catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. Dr Hii joined SA Heart in 1994.

Dr Hii graduated with Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (BMBS) from Flinders University of South Australia in 1983. He then went on to post graduate medical training in Internal Medicine at Flinders Medical Centre and the Repatriation General Hospital before commencing Cardiology core training in 1988 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

In 1990 Dr Hii commenced advanced training as a Fellow in Cardiac Electrophysiology at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He then went on, in 1991, to a Clinical Research Fellowship in Catheter Ablation at the Montreal Heart Institute in Montreal, Quebec.  In 1991 he was the recipient of the Lions Overseas Clinical Fellowship and won the Syntex Bronze Heart Achievement Award in Canada. Dr Hii was awarded Fellowships to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in 1989 and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (FCSANZ) in 2004.

Dr Hii has been a Senior Visiting Medical Specialist (Cardiologist/Electrophysiologist) at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital since 1992 as well as being a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Adelaide. He has been instrumental in setting up cardiac electrophysiology services at both the QEH and Ashford Hospital. These have taken the form of performing diagnostic electrophysiologic studies especially for patients with unexplained syncope and palpitations, implanting permanent pacemakers for patients  with conduction disease, defibrillators for patients who had been resuscitated from cardiac arrests and those judged at risk from life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias as well as performing over 3000 curative catheter ablations for patients with SVT, VT, atrial flutter and atrial tachycardias (with extremely high long term success rates). In the last few years, he has also been performing more complex ablations for patients with atrial fibrillation and reentrant left atrial flutters using 3-dimensional mapping and cardiac imaging system. In addition, he is highly skilled in implanting cardiac resynchronization devices for patients with significant left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure symptoms due in part to underlying mechanical cardiac dyssynchrony.

Dr Hii has regularly contributed to medical students and postgraduate teaching. He has regularly given lectures to GP for their continuing medical education. He continues to regularly attend major cardiovascular meetings and conferences to keep abreast with the latest cardiovascular research findings.

Dr Hii consults at Ashford, Norwood and Woodville Heart Centres and also at Berri in the Riverland. He also provides consultation services in Stirling Hospital and check cardiac devices for his patients living in the Adelaide Hills region.

Abstracts Published

1. Twidale N, Roberts-Thompson P, Hii J, Tonkin A. Prevalence of ventricular tachycardia and role of programmed ventricular stimulation in patients with     complete heart block. Aust & NZ J Med 1989; 19:578
2. Better N, Johnson P, Connoley GL, Sia TB, Mohan P, Hii J, Horowitz JD.     Coronary vasodilator interactions with outcome of streptokinase therapy.     Circulation 1989; 80: II-113
3. Hii JTY, Gillis AM, Wyse DG, Ramadan D, Mitchell LB. Torsade de pointes induced by Class Ia drugs: incidence and predictive value of exercise testing in     175 consecutive patients. Circulation 1990; 82:III-55
4. Hii JTY, Mitchell LB, Cassidy R, Duff HJ, Wyse DG, Gillis AM. Role of atrial extrastimuli in terminating atrial flutter. PACE 1991; 14:742
5. Hii J, Traboulsi M, Mitchell LB, Wyse DG, Duff HJ, Gillis AM. Antiarrhythmic drug suppression of inducible sustained ventricular tachycardia at electrophysiologic study: relation to infarct artery patency. Can J Cardiol 1991;7:123A
6. Hii J, Wyse DG, Gillis AM, Duff HJ, Mitchell LB. Dispersion of precordial QT intervals as a marker of torsadede pointes ventricular tachycardia: Disparate effects of Class Ia drugs and amiodarone. Can J Cardiol 1991; 7:130A
7. Hii J, Wyse DG, Gillis AM, Duff HJ, Mitchell LB. Dispersion of precordial QT intervals as a marker of torsade de pointes ventricular tachycardia: Disparate effects of Class Ia drugs and amiodarone. Circulation 1991; 84: II-596
8. Hii JTY, Gillis AM, Wyse DG, Sheldon RS, Mitchell LB. Optimal post-operative time for activation of ventricular tachycardia termination therapies of tiered-response cardioverter-defibrillators. J Am Coll Cardiol 1992; 19:123A
9. Hii JTY, Traboulsi M, Mitchell LB, Wyse DG, Duff HJ, Gillis AM. Antiarrhythmic drug suppression of inducible sustained ventricular tachycardia at electrophysiologic study: relation to infarct artery patency. J Am Coll Cardiol 1992; 19:264A
10. Hii JTY, Roy D, Talajic M, Lemery R, Radzik D. Recordings of slow pathway potentials are not necessary for successful ablation in atrioventricular nodal     reentrant tachycardia. Can J Cardiol 1992; 8:78B
11. Hii JTY, Talajic M, Roy D, Lemery R, Cartier R, Lavallee E, Lavoie L, Radzik D. What is the role of low-energy direct current for atrioventricular nodal ablation in the era of radiofrequency ablation? Can J Cardiol 1992; 8:121B
12. Radzik D, Talajic M, Roy D, Lemery R, Hii JTY, Cartier R. Effects of adenosine on anterograde and retrograde conduction in patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. Can J Cardiol 1992; 8:121B
13. Lemery R, Talajic M, Roy D, Fournier A, Hii JTY, Radzik D, Lavoie L. Catheter ablation in children and adolescents with the Wolff-Parkinson-White     Syndrome using either radiofrequency current or low-energy DC. Can J Cardiol 1992; 8:102B
14. Gillis AM, Traboulsi M, Hii J, Wyse DG, Duff HJ, McDonald M, Mitchell LB. Dispersion of ventricular refractoriness predicts antiarrhythmic drug response. Can J Cardiol 1992; 8:131B
15. Hii JTY, Roy D, Talajic M, Lemery R, Radzik D. Recordings of slow pathway potentials are not necessary for successful ablation in atrioventricular nodal     reentrant tachycardia. Circulation 1992; 86: I-581
16. Hii JTY, Lemery R, Talajic M, Roy D, Coutu B, Radzik D, Lavoie L, Cartier R. Results of a prospective study comparing low-energy DC with radiofrequency ablation in patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. Aust & NZ J Med 1993; 23:94
17. Hii JTY, Lemery R, Talajic M, Roy D, Coutu B, Radzik D, Lavoie L, Cartier R. Results and implications of performing radiofrequency ablation during the     initial diagnostic study in patients with accessory pathways. Aust & NZ J Med     1993; 23:94
18. Hii JTY, Lemery R, Talajic M, Roy D, Radzik D, Lavoie L, Cartier R. Radiofrequency ablation of manifest left free wall accessory pathways with and without a coronary sinus catheter for pathway localization. Aust & NZ J Med 1993; 23:
19. David Radzik, Mario Talajic, Denis Roy, John T Y Hii, Bernard Thibault, Pierre Theroux, David Waters. Have changes in the management of acute myocardial infarction between 1980 and 1990 reduced late arrhythmic complications? J Am Coll Cardiol 1993; 21:43A
20. David Radzik, Mario Talajic, Denis Roy, Robert Lemery, John T Y Hii, Bernard Thibault, Richard Cartier, Stanley Nattel. Dose-dependence of adenosine’s suppressant actions on anterograde and retrograde conduction in patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. J Am Coll Cardiol 1993; 21:457A
21. Hii JTY, Wuttke RD, Tiflitis M, Velissaris G. A midseptal approach to slow pathway ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. Aust & NZ J Med 1993; 23:613
22. Hii JTY, Talajic M, Roy D, Lemery R, Radzik D, Thibault B. What is the role of low-energy direct current for atrioventricular nodal ablation in the era of radiofrequency ablation? Aust & NZ J Med 1993; 23:613
23. Hii JTY, Roy D, Talajic M, Lemery R, Radzik D, Thibault B. Acute and chronic defibrillation thresholds and early clinical experience in recipients of an implantable device using biphasic waveform. Aust & NZ JMed1993;23:589
24. Ritchie RH, Hii JTY, Horowitz JD. Rapid myocardial uptake of milrinone in humans: correlation with acute haemodynamic effects. Clin Exp Pharmacol     Physio 1993; Suppl 1:61
25. Wuttke RD, Tiflitis M, Velissaris G, Milner C, Hii JTY. Performance of catheter mapping during radiofrequency catheter ablation: A new role for     cardiac technicians. Aust & NZ J Med 1994; 24:654
26. Ritchie RH, Wuttke RD, Jarrett RG, Hii JTY, Horowitz JD. Rate-related effects of positive and negative inotropic agents in humans. Aust & NZ J Med     1994; 24:618
27. Hii JTY, Wuttke R, Tiflitis M, Velissaris G, Bowshall R, Michell K, Savis A, Williams J. A prospective comparison between stepwise and midseptal     approach to ablation for atrio-ventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. Aust &     NZ J Med 1995; 25:624
28. Unger S, Button I, Wuttke R, Hii JTY. Outcomes of empiric antiarrhythmic drug therapy for ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation: A comparison     of amiodarone and sotalol. Aust & NZ J Med 1995; 25:652
29. Wuttke RD, Tiflitis M, Velissaris G, Bowshall R, Savis A, Greentree M, Kleinig L, Gravas H, Williams J, Hii JTY. Short term effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation on valvular and myocardial functions. Aust & NZ J Med 1995; 25:660
30. Williams J, Savis A, Gravas H, Kleinig L, Bowshall R, Wuttke RD, Tiflitis M, Velissaris G, Hii JTY. Does radiofrequency catheter ablation have any late adverse effects on cardiac valves and function? Aust & NZ J Med 1995; 25:659
31. Hii JTY, Wuttke R, Tiflitis M, Velissaris G, Bowshall R, Michell K, Savis A, Williams J. A prospective comparison between stepwise and direct mid-septal approach to ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. Circulation 1995; 92: I-213
32. Unger S, Button I, Wuttke R, Hii J. Outcomes of empiric antiarrhythmic drug therapy for ventricular/ventricular fibrillation: A comparison of amiodarone and sotalol. PACE 1995; 18:1762
33. Hii JTY, Williams JM, Savis A, Gravas H, Kleinig L, Bowshall R, Wuttke R, Tiflitis M, Velissaris G. Does radiofrequency catheter ablation have any late     adverse effects on cardiac valves and function? Eur J Card Pacing & Electrophysiol 1996; 6:77
34. Hii JTY, Wuttke RD, Tiflitis M, Velissaris G, Williams JM, Bowshall R, Michell K. Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation in the elderly with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. Eur J Card Pacing & Electrophysiol 1996; 6:77
35. Hii JTY, Wuttke RD, Tiflitis M, Velissaris G, Williams JM, Bowshall RE, Michell KL. Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation in the     elderly patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. Aust & NZ J Med     1997; 27:110
36. Hii JTY, Wuttke RD, Tiflitis M, Velissaris G, Williams JM, Bowshall RE, Michell KL. Incidence and prognostic significance of transient AV block     induced during radiofrequency catheter ablation for AV nodal reentrant     tachycardia. Aust & NZ J Med 1997; 27:110
37. Hii JTY, Wuttke RD, Tiflitis M, Velissaris G, Williams JM, Bowshall RE, Michell KL. An anatomic approach to radiofrequency catheter ablation for type I atrial flutter. Aust & NZ J Med 1997; 27:111
38. Hii JTY, Wuttke RD, Tiflitis M, Velissaris G, Williams JM, Bowshall RE, Michell KL. Feasibility and safety of a minimally invasive approach to catheter ablation for AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. Aust & NZ J Med 1997; 27:111
39. Hii JTY, Zeitz CJ, Chaudhary HK. Evaluation of a new and simple shoulder adduction technique to aid catheterization of subclavian vein. Aust & NZ J Med 1997; 27:111
40. Finch FM, Hii JTY. Critical evaluation of a computer software programme for the time domain measurements of heart rate variability. Aust & NZ J Med 1997; 27:111
41. Hii JTY, Hughes J. The teletronics accufix atrial lead with short implant duration can be extracted safely using the superior approach. Aust & NZ J Med 1997; 27:112
42. Wuttke RD, Tiflitis M, Velissaris G, Milner C, Hii JTY. Haemodynamic effects of adenosine during supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular pacing. Aust & NZ J Med 1997; 27:113
43. Zeitz CJ, Ritchie RH, Wuttke RD, Hii JTY, Jarrett RG, Horowitz JD. Negative inotropic effects of verapamil in man demonstrate frequency-dependence. Aust & NZ J Med 1997; 27:113
44. Meredith Finch, John TY Hii. Critical evaluation of a computer software programme for time domain measurements of heart rate variability. PACE     1997; 20:1467
45. Ronald D Wuttke, Martha Tiflitis, Georgia Velissaris, Christine M Milner, John TY Hii. Hemodynamic effects of adenosine during supraventricular     tachycardia and ventricular pacing. PACE 1997; 20:1468
46. John TY Hii, John Hughes. The telectronics accufix atrial leads with short implant duration can be safely extracted using the superior approach. PACE     1997;20:1492
47. John TY Hii, Ronald D Wuttke, Martha Tiflitis, Georgia Velissaris, Christine M Milner. Feasibility and safety of a minimally invasive approach to catheter     ablation for AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. PACE 1997, 20:1498
48. John TY Hii, Ronald D Wuttke, Martha Tiflitis, Georgia Velissaris. Long term prognostic significance of transient AV block induced during radiofrequency catheter ablation for AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. PACE 1997; 20:1498
49. JTY Hii, RD Wuttke, M Kalaburnis, G Velissaris, CM Milner. Two-catheter approach to slow pathway ablation and modification: A strategy to further     minimize invasive approach to ablation for AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. Aust & NZ J Med 1998; 28:102
50. JTY Hii, RD Wuttke, M Kalaburnis, G Velissaris, CM Milner. The effect of slow pathway ablation and modification on heart rate variability. Aust & NZ J     Med 1998; 28:150
51. JTY Hii, RD Wuttke, M Kalaburnis, G Velissaris, CM Milner. Is adenosine efficacious and safe in hypotensive supraventricular tachycardias? Aust & NZ J Med 1998; 28:102
52. RH Ritchie, CJ Zeitz, R Jarrett, JTY Hii, P Tornvall, RD Wuttke, JD Horowitz. A comparison of the use-dependent effects of negative inotropic cardioactive agents in man. Aust & NZ J Med 1998; 28:101
53. Rebecca H. Ritchie, Christopher J. Zeitz, John T. Hii, Per Tornvall, Ron D. Wuttke, Richard Jarrett, John D Horowitz. Use-dependent negative inotropic     effects of cardioactive agents in humans. Circulation 1997; 96:I-745
54. Christopher J Zeitz, Rebecca H Ritchie, John T Hii, John D Horowitz, Ron D Wuttke. Are the positive inotropic effects of digoxin and milrinone maintained at short cycle lengths? Circulation 1997; 96: I-746
55. J.T.Y.Hii. Evaluation of tachyarrhythmia detection and discrimination in dual-chamber implantable defibrillators. Eur Heart J 1998; 19:74
56. C.J. Zeitz, R.H. Ritchie, J.T.Y.Hii, R.G. Jarrett, R.D. Wuttke, J.D. Horowitz. Are the positive inotropic effects of digoxin and milrinone maintained at short cycle lengths? Eur Heart J 1998; 19:405
57. J.T.Y.Hii, R.D.Wuttke, M.Kalaburnis, G. Velissaris, C.M.Milner. Is adenosine efficacious and safe in hypotensive supraventricular tachycardias? (Cardiostim 1998) Archives des maladies du couer et des vaisseaux 1998; 91:118
58. Christopher Zeitz, Rebecca H Ritchie, Richard G Jarrett, John T Y Hii, John D Horowitz. Mechanical restitution predicts response to tachycardia in humans. Circulation 1998; 98:I-760
59. C.M.Rudd, M. Finch, R.D. Wuttke, J.T.Y. Hii. Hourly estimation of heart rate variability: is there an optimal hour that can be used to assess heart rate variability measurements? Aus & NZ J Med 1999; 29:113
60. C.M. Rudd, M. Finch, J.T.Y.Hii. Does invasive electrophysiologic studies affect time domain measurements of heart rate variability? Aus & NZ J Med 1999; 29:114
61. C.M. Rudd, R.D. Wuttke, J.T.Y.Hii. Effects of body posture on sensed QRS amplitude and pacing parameters in patients with implantable cardioverter/defibrillator. Aus & NZ J Med 1999; 29:114
62. C.J.Zeitz, R.H.Ritchie, J.T.Y.Hii, R.G.Jarrett, R.D. Wuttke, J.D. Horowitz. Are the positive inotropic effects of digoxin and milrinone maintained at short cycle lengths? Aus & NZ J Med 1999; 29:126
63. D.M. Ninio, R.D. Wuttke, C.M. Rudd, M. Kalaburnis, G. Velissaris, J.T.Y. Hii. QT interval dispersion is independent of heart rate. Aus & NZ J Med 1999; 29:152
64. DM Ninio, RD Wuttke, CM Rudd, M Kalaburnis, G Velissaris, JTY Hii. QT interval dispersion in pacing-induced left bundle branch block. Aus & N Z J Med 1999;29:164
65. J.T.Y. Hii. Evaluation of tachyarrhythmia detection and discrimination in dual chamber implantable defibrillators. Aus & NZ J Med 1999; 29:165
66. DM Ninio, RD Wuttke, CM Rudd, M Kalaburnis, G Velissaris, JTY Hii. QT interval dispersion is independent of heart rate. PACE 1999;22:A36
67. DM Ninio, RD Wuttke, CM Rudd, M Kalaburnis, G Velissaris, JTY Hii. QT interval dispersion during pacing-induced left bundle branch block. PACE 1999;22:A36
68. RD Wuttke, JTY Hii. Long term performance of carbon-braided and iridium oxide-coated defibrillator leads in patients with implantable defibrillators. Aus & NZ J Med 2000; 30:146

Published Manuscripts

1. Mohan P, Hii JTY, Esterman J, Hollington P, Horowitz JD. Acute heart failure: determinants of outcome. Int J Cardiol 1991; 32:365-376
2. Hii JTY, Duff HJ, Burgess ED. Clinical pharmacokinetics of propafenone. Clin Pharmacokinet 1991; 21:1-10
3. Hii JTY, Wyse DG, Gillis AM, Cohen J, Mitchell LB. Propafenone-induced torsade de pointes ventricular tachycardia: cross reactivity with quinidine.  PACE 1991; 14:1568-1570
4. Hii JTY, Wyse DG. Antiarrhythmic therapy - helping patients without missing a beat. Perspectives in Cardiology 1992; 8:19-30
5. Hii JTY, Mitchell LB, Duff HJ, Wyse DG, Gillis AM. Comparison of atrial overdrive pacing with and without extrastimuli for termination of atrial flutter. Am J Cardiol 1992; 70:463-467
6. Hii JTY, Mitchell LB. Approach to the management of patients resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation. Rhythmology 1992; 6:27-32
7. Hii JTY, Wyse DG. Managing ventricular tachyarrhythmia following acute     myocardial infarction. Perspectives in Cardiology 1992; 8:63-71
8. Arstall MA, Hii JTY, Lehman RG, Horowitz JD. Sotalol-induced torsade de pointes: management with magnesium infusion. Postgrad Med J 1992; 68:289-290
9. Hii JTY, Wyse DG, Gillis AM, Duff HJ, Solenko M, Mitchell LB. Precordial QT dispersion as a marker of torsade de pointes: disparate effects of Class Ia     drugs and amiodarone. Circulation 1992; 86:1376-1382
10. Lemery R, Talajic M, Roy D, Lavoie L, Coutu B, Hii JT, Radzik D, Lavallee E, Cartier R. Results of a comparative study of low energy direct current with radiofrequency ablation in patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Br Heart J 1993;70:580-584
11. Hii JTY, Talajic M, Lemery R, Roy D, Radzik D. Catheter ablation - Redirecting the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Perspectives in Cardiology     1993; 9:57-76
12. Hii JTY, Gillis AM, Wyse DG, Sheldon RS, Duff HJ, Mitchell LB. Risks of developing supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias after implantation     of a cardioverter-defibrillator, and timing the activation of arrhythmia termination therapies. Am J Cardiol 1993; 71:565-568
13. Hii JTY, Traboulsi M, Mitchell LB, Wyse DG, Duff HJ, Gillis AM. Infarct artery patency predicts outcome of serial electropharmacological studies in patients with malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Circulation     1993; 87:764-772
14. Lemery R, Talajic M, Roy D, Fournier A, Coutu B, Hii JT, Radzik D, Lavoie L. Catheter ablation using radiofrequency or low-energy direct current in pediatric patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Am J Cardiol 1994; 73:191-194
15. Steven A Unger, Ian K Button, Wuttke RD, John TY Hii. Outcomes of empiric antiarrhythmic drug therapy for ventricular tachyarrhythmias: a     comparison of amiodarone and sotalol. Brazilian and Latin American J of     Pacemaker and Arrhythmia 1995; 8:163-166
16. RH Ritchie, RD Wuttke, JTY Hii, RG Jarrett, AL Carey, JD Horowitz. The     force-interval relationship of the left ventricle: A quantitative description in     patients with ischemic heart disease. J Card Failure 1995; 1:273-284
17. John TY Hii, Ronald D. Wuttke, Martha Kalaburnis, Georgia Velissaris. Feasibility and safety of a minimally invasive approach to catheter ablation for     atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. PACE 1998; 21:308-310
18. Anne M. Gillis, Mouhieddin Traboulsi, John T.Y.Hii, D. George Wyse, Henry J. Duff, Margot McDonald, L. Brent Mitchell. Antiarrhythmic drug effects on QT interval dispersion in patients undergoing electropharmacologic testing for ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. Am J Card 1998; 81:588-93
19. Rebecca H. Ritchie, Benedetta C. Sallustio, John T.Y. Hii, John D. Horowitz.  Short-term myocardial uptake of d- and l- sotalol in humans: Relation to     hemodynamic and electrophysiologic effects. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 1998; 31:876-884
20. Rebecca H. Ritchie, John T. Y. Hii, John D. Horowitz. Relationship between myocardial content and its acute hemodynamic and electrophysiologic effects. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 1998; 31:885-893
21. Ritchie RH, Hii JTY, Horowitz JD. Relationship between myocardial milrinone content and its acute hemodynamic and electrophysiological effects. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 1998;31:885-893
22. P. Sanders, J. Walker, R.J. Craig, J.T.Y. Hii, P.M. Steele. Mibefradil (Posicor) induced sinus arrest. Aus& NZ J Med 1998; 28:836
23. Zeitz CJ, Ritchie RH, Jarrett RG, Hii JT, Wuttke RD, Horowitz JD. The positive inotropic effects of milrinone but not of digoxin are attenuated at short cycle lengths. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2000;35:427-433
24. Ninio DM, Hii JT. An ill wind- iatrogenic air embolus around pacing leads during defibrillator implant with coexisting pulmonary fibrosis. PACE 2006; 29:213-214
25. Ritchie RH, Zeitz CJ, Wuttke RD, Hii JT, Horowitz, JD. Attenuation of the negative inotropic effects of metoprolol at short cycle lengths in humans: comparison with sotalol and verapamil. J Am Coll Cardiol 2006;48:1234-1241

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