Dr Hamza Zafar

Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health

BHF Clinical Research Fellow (Staff Candidate PhD)

Honorary Cardiology Registrar, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

hzafar1@sheffield.ac.uk

M127a, Royal Hallamshire Hospital

Full contact details

Dr Hamza Zafar
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
M127a
Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Glossop Road
Sheffield
S10 2JF

Profile

For enquiries please contact - ClinMed-Operational@sheffield.ac.uk

In 2018, I joined the University of Sheffield as an academic clinical fellow, immersing myself in the dynamic environment of the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute, a leading global centre for pulmonary hypertension research. My focus in cardiology, particularly in cardiovascular imaging and heart failure, has been a journey marked by continuous learning and exploration. Currently undertaking a PhD funded by the British Heart Foundation as a clinical research fellow, I am dedicated to advancing innovative techniques for the remote management of heart failure.

My professional journey also encompasses extensive experience in orchestrating clinical trials, where I currently serve as a Co-Investigator in various ongoing studies. Beyond my research endeavours, I am passionate about medical education and clinical leadership, having assumed several roles in these domains at the University of Sheffield including my role as a PATS tutor. This multifaceted engagement reflects my commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical knowledge, contributing to advancements in patient care, and nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Qualifications

MBBS
MRCP
EEGC

Research interests: My primary focus revolves around the development of cutting-edge methods for the continuous remote monitoring of interstitial fluid pressure in individuals grappling with heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. The goal is to optimize treatment approaches and curtail hospitalization rates. Notably, my project has garnered recognition on the international stage, earning me several prestigious awards, including the esteemed Fellow’s Competition Award at THT Boston, USA. This journey excites me as it opens avenues to pioneer distinctive patient-technology-centred treatment strategies for optimal care delivery. I am particularly enthusiastic about elevating remote monitoring to the next level, pushing the boundaries of what is currently achievable in healthcare. Alongside this, my special interest lies in the realms of heart failure and cardiac imaging, with a specific emphasis on Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR).

Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Featured publications

Journal articles

Zafar H, Neelam-Naganathan D, Middleton JT, Binmahfooz SK, Battersby C, Rogers D, Swift AJ & Rothman AMK (2023) Anatomical characterization of pulmonary artery and implications to pulmonary artery pressure monitor implantation. Scientific Reports, 13(1). View this article in WRRO
Rothman AMK, Zafar H, Sandy R, Wright C, Mitra S, Ebah L, Ilyas D, Hanumapura P, Sebastien S, Khalifa A , Passman J et al (2023) A Subcutaneous Multiparameter Sensor With Integrated Interstitial Fluid Pressure Measurement for Remote Heart Failure Monitoring. JACC: Basic to Translational Science, 8(4), 386-388.
Elhawaz A, Archer G, Zafar H, Fidock B, Barker N, Jones R, Rothman A, Hose R, Al-Mohammad A, Briffa N , Hunter S et al (2021) Left ventricular blood flow kinetic energy is associated with the six-minute walk test and left ventricular remodelling post valvular intervention in aortic stenosis. Quantitative imaging in medicine and surgery, 11(4), 1470-1482. View this article in WRRO
Rothman AMK, Arnold ND, Abou-Hanna J, Forouzan O, Swift AJ, Dahaghin P, Konganige S, Middleton JT, Zafar H, Suvarna SK , Kiely DG et al (2020) Feasibility and safety of a telemetric pulmonary artery pressure monitoring system in acute and chronic porcine models of pulmonary hypertension.
Alabed S, Garg P, Johns CS, Alandejani F, Shahin Y, Dwivedi K, Zafar H, Wild JM, Kiely DG & Swift AJ (2020) Cardiac magnetic resonance in pulmonary hypertension - an update. Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports, 13(12). View this article in WRRO
Omura J, Habbout K, Shimauchi T, Wu W-H, Breuils-Bonnet S, Tremblay E, Martineau S, Nadeau V, Gagnon K, Mazoyer F , Perron J et al (2020) Identification of Long Noncoding RNA H19 as a New Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Right Ventricular Failure in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Circulation, 142(15), 1464-1484.
Barker N, Zafar H, Fidock B, Elhawaz A, Al-Mohammad A, Rothman A, Kiely DG, van der Geest RJ, Westenberg J, Swift AJ , Wild JM et al (2020) Age-associated changes in 4D flow CMR derived tricuspid valvular flow and right ventricular blood flow kinetic energy. Scientific Reports, 10(1). View this article in WRRO

All publications

Journal articles

Zafar H, Neelam-Naganathan D, Middleton JT, Binmahfooz SK, Battersby C, Rogers D, Swift AJ & Rothman AMK (2023) Anatomical characterization of pulmonary artery and implications to pulmonary artery pressure monitor implantation. Scientific Reports, 13(1). View this article in WRRO
Rothman AMK, Zafar H, Sandy R, Wright C, Mitra S, Ebah L, Ilyas D, Hanumapura P, Sebastien S, Khalifa A , Passman J et al (2023) A Subcutaneous Multiparameter Sensor With Integrated Interstitial Fluid Pressure Measurement for Remote Heart Failure Monitoring. JACC: Basic to Translational Science, 8(4), 386-388.
Elhawaz A, Archer G, Zafar H, Fidock B, Barker N, Jones R, Rothman A, Hose R, Al-Mohammad A, Briffa N , Hunter S et al (2021) Left ventricular blood flow kinetic energy is associated with the six-minute walk test and left ventricular remodelling post valvular intervention in aortic stenosis. Quantitative imaging in medicine and surgery, 11(4), 1470-1482. View this article in WRRO
Zafar H, Debowska A & Boduszek D (2021) Emotion regulation difficulties and psychopathology among Pakistani adolescents. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 26(1), 121-139. View this article in WRRO
Rothman AMK, Arnold ND, Abou-Hanna J, Forouzan O, Swift AJ, Dahaghin P, Konganige S, Middleton JT, Zafar H, Suvarna SK , Kiely DG et al (2020) Feasibility and safety of a telemetric pulmonary artery pressure monitoring system in acute and chronic porcine models of pulmonary hypertension.
Alabed S, Garg P, Johns CS, Alandejani F, Shahin Y, Dwivedi K, Zafar H, Wild JM, Kiely DG & Swift AJ (2020) Cardiac magnetic resonance in pulmonary hypertension - an update. Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports, 13(12). View this article in WRRO
Omura J, Habbout K, Shimauchi T, Wu W-H, Breuils-Bonnet S, Tremblay E, Martineau S, Nadeau V, Gagnon K, Mazoyer F , Perron J et al (2020) Identification of Long Noncoding RNA H19 as a New Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Right Ventricular Failure in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Circulation, 142(15), 1464-1484.
Barker N, Zafar H, Fidock B, Elhawaz A, Al-Mohammad A, Rothman A, Kiely DG, van der Geest RJ, Westenberg J, Swift AJ , Wild JM et al (2020) Age-associated changes in 4D flow CMR derived tricuspid valvular flow and right ventricular blood flow kinetic energy. Scientific Reports, 10(1). View this article in WRRO
(2020) An exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programme for AF patients in the NHS: a feasibility study. British Journal of Cardiology.

Conference proceedings papers

Zafar H, Passman J, Sandy R, Wright C, Wright F, Evans H, Ebah L, Ilyas D, Hanumapura P, Sebastien S , Khalifa A et al (2023) BS74 Assessment of fluid status in porcine models of heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Basic Science
Patel J, Kiely DG, Roddis C, Charalampopoulos A, Thompson R, Pearson C, Dick J, Binmahfooz S, Lewis R, Taylor J , Ashraf C et al (2023) 196 The relationship of physical activity, heart rate variability, and night heart rate to established measures of clinical risk in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (pah). Stable IHD/Prevention/Hypertension/Lipids
Battersby C, Condliffe R, Kiely DG, Elliot C, Middleton JT, Patel J, Neelam-Naganathan D, Lewis R, Binmahfooz S, Swift AJ , Hameed A et al (2023) 155 Effect of covid-19 infection and preventive public health measures on haemodynamics, activity and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Heart Failure
Ashraf C, Taylor J, Roddis C, Toshner M, Middleton JT, Hurdman J, Thompson R, Kiely DG, Swift AJ, Charalampopoulos A , Roman S et al (2023) 154 Stability of daily physical activity as a remote measure of clinical risk in pulmonary arterial hypertension (pah). Heart Failure
Varian F, Binmahfooz S, Condliffe R, Middleton JT, Rothman AMK, Patel J, Kiely DG, Hamilton N, Lewis R, Elliot C , Battersby C et al (2023) 158 Remote personalisation of pulmonary arterial hypertension therapy and application of a remote physiological risk score. Heart Failure
Taylor J, Kiely DG, Hamilton N, Hurdman J, Dwivedi K, Pearson C, Charalampopoulos A, Zafar H, Reddy A, Lewis R , Patel J et al (2023) 153 Differences in physical activity, heart rate and heart variability during clinical worsening events in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (pah). Heart Failure
Middleton J, Neelam-Naganathan D, Elliot C, Taylor J, Toshner M, Zafar H, Lewis R, Ashraf C, Binmahfooz S, Condliffe R , Durrington C et al (2023) 138 Physiological detection of clinical worsening and therapeutic response using implanted remote technologies in pah. Heart Failure
Middleton J, Elliot C, Pearson C, Battersby C, Roman S, Armstrong I, Condliffe R, Watson L, Rothman AMK, Neelam-Naganathan D , Kiely DG et al (2023) 137 Design and validation of a physiological risk score for pulmonary arterial hypertension (pah). Heart Failure
Durrington C, Battersby C, Holt L, Fairman A, salisbury T, Turton H, Watson L, Hameed A, Charalampopoulos A, Elliot C , Rothman A et al (2023) Assessing the Repeatability of NT-proBNP Testing Using Laboratory and Point of Care Testing in PAH (REPEAT-PAH). B57. INTERMEDIATES, CORRELATES, AND SURROGATES, OH MY!: NOVEL END POINTS AND ASSESSMENTS IN PVD
Middleton JT, Binmafooz S, Zafar H, Patel J, Giri D, Battersby C, Toshner M, Reddy A, Lewis R, Durrington C , Swift A et al (2022) S92 Remote monitoring enabled evaluation of risk and physiological response to therapeutic escalation and clinical worsening in patients with pulmonary hypertension. ‘The Sixth Sense’ – Prognostication in pulmonary vascular disease
Patel J, Middleton J, Battersby C, Zafar H, Binmahfooz S, Neelam-Naganathan D, Toshner M, Reddy A, Lewis R, Watson L , Swift A et al (2022) S91 Remote monitored physical activity is related to established measures of clinical risk in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. ‘The Sixth Sense’ – Prognostication in pulmonary vascular disease
Battersby CP, Middleton JT, Zafar H, Binmahfooz SK, Patel J, Neelam-Naganathan D, Toshner M, Reddy A, Lewis R, Watson L , Swift A et al (2022) P81 Effect of COVID-19 infection and preventive public health measures on haemodynamics, activity and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. ‘Contagion’ – The impact of COVID-19
Durrington C, Battersby C, Holt L, Fairman A, Salisbury T, Turton H, Watson L, Hameed AG, Charalampopoulos A, Elliot CA , Rothman AMK et al (2022) P38 Assessing the repeatability of NT-proBNP testing using laboratory and point of care testing in PAH (REPEAT-PAH). ‘Mission (Im)possible I’ – Pulmonary vascular disease
Middleton JT, Binmahfooz S, Zafar H, Patel J, Giri D, Battersby C, Toshner M, Reddy A, Lewis R, Condliffe R , Elliot C et al (2022) Abstract 13553: Remote Monitoring of the Haemodynamic Response to Clinically Indicated Therapeutic Escalation and Clinical Worsening Events in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Circulation, Vol. 146(Suppl_1)
Middleton JT, Binmahfooz S, Zafar H, Patel J, Neelam Naganathan DG, Battersby C, Toshner M, Reddy A, Lewis R, Swift AJ , Condliffe R et al (2022) Abstract 13527: The Development of a Remote Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Risk Score Utilising Remote Monitoring Technology to Monitor Parameters Associated With Mortality in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Circulation, Vol. 146(Suppl_1)
Middleton JT, Binmahfooz S, Zafar H, Patel J, Naganathan DGN, Battersby C, Toshner M, Reddy A, Lewis R, Swift AJ , Condliffe R et al (2022) The Development of a Remote Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Risk Score Utilising Remote Monitoring Technology to Monitor Parameters Associated With Mortality in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. CIRCULATION, Vol. 146
Middleton JT, Binmahfooz S, Zafar H, Patel J, Giri D, Battersby C, Toshner M, Reddy A, Lewis R, Condliffe R , Elliot C et al (2022) Remote Monitoring of the Haemodynamic Response to Clinically Indicated Therapeutic Escalation and Clinical Worsening Events in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. CIRCULATION, Vol. 146
Middleton J, Zafar H, Kiely DG & Rothman A (2021) 124 Comparing the safety and feasibility of implanting pulmonary artery pressure monitors via the internal jugular vein compared to standard femoral venous access in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Heart failure
Middleton J, Zafar H, Reddy A, Martin C, Thompson R, Swift A, Toshner M, Kiely DG & Rothman A (2021) 121 Effect of UK COVID-19 public health measures on activity and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Heart failure
Middleton JT, Konganige S, Dahaghin P, Zafar H, Reddy A, Martin C, Thompson AAR, Swift AJ, Morris P, Condliffe R , Morrell NW et al (2020) Abstract 15636: Effect of COVID-19 Public Health Measures on Activity and Quality of Life in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Circulation, Vol. 142(Suppl_3) (pp A15636). Virtual conference, 15 November 2020 - 15 November 2020. View this article in WRRO
Omura J, Habbout K, Shimauchi T, Breuils-Bonnet S, Tremblay E, Martineau S, Nadeau V, Potus F, Archer SL, Lin J , Zafar H et al (2020) Long Non-Coding RNA H19 Promotes Right Ventricular Failure in PAH. A93. TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH; EARLY CLINICAL FINDINGS AND OMICS ADVENTURE IN PULMONARY HYPERTENSION: FROM BIOMARKERS TO NEW THERAPEUTIC TARGETS
Omura J, Habbout K, Shimauchi T, Breuils-Bonnet S, Tremblay E, Martineau S, Nadeau V, Potus F, Archer SL, Lin J , Zafar H et al (2020) Identification of Circulating Long Non-Coding RNA H19 as a Novel Biomarker for Right Ventricular Failure Associated with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. C105. WITH ALL MY HEART: SEX, ESTROGEN, AND RIGHT VENTRICLE IN PULMONARY VASCULAR DISEASE AND BEYOND
Mills M, Johnson E, Zafar H, Horwood A, Lax N, Charlesworth S, Gregory A, Lee J, Sahu J, Kirkwood G , Kelland N et al (2019) 31 Utilisation of an existing exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programme for patients with atrial fibrillation in the national health service: putting current services to good use. Cardiac Rhythm Management

Preprints

Varian F, Dick J, Battersby C, Roman S, Ablott J, Watson L, Binmahfooz S, Zafar H, Colgan G, Cannon J , Suntharalingam J et al (2023) Pulmonary Hypertension: Intensification and Personalisation of Combination Rx (PHoenix): A phase IV randomised trial for the evaluation of dose-response and clinical efficacy of riociguat and selexipag using implanted technologies, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Middleton JT, Binmahfooz S, Zafar H, Patel J, Ashraf C, Jake , Neelam-Naganathan D, Battersby C, Pearson C, Roddis C , Roman S et al (2023) Remote monitored physiological response to therapeutic escalation and clinical worsening in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Zafar H, Neelam-Naganathan D, Middleton JT, Rogers D, Swift AJ, Rothman A, Binmahfooz SK & Battersby C (2022) Pulmonary Artery Anatomical Characterization: Relevance to Pulmonary Artery Pressure Sensors, Research Square Platform LLC.

Grants

BHF funded CRTF

Professional activities and memberships

Research
Development and Innovation
Remote Assessment
Heart Failure and Cardiac Imaging (CMR)

Current projects

Development of methods for remote assessment of interstitial fluid pressure
Phoenix (Pulmonary Hypertension: Intensification and Personalisation of Combination Rx) Clinical trial
PIPAH (Positioning Imatinib in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension) Clinical trial
CLTP (SMURF) Clinical Trial