Prof Felix Mahfoud is a German-born physician and cardiologist. He completed his medical studies and doctorate at Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, graduating in 2008. Early in his career, he trained in internal medicine and cardiology at Saarland University Medical Center in Homburg, Germany, where he later served in a variety of clinical and leadership roles before relocating to Switzerland. He holds an additional academic appointment as a Visiting Professor at Harvard-MIT in Biomedical Engineering in Boston, MA. Prof Mahfoud currently lives and works in Basel, Switzerland, where he leads the Department of Cardiology at University Hospital Basel.
Academic History
Prof Mahfoud studied medicine at Goethe University Frankfurt, completing his doctorate in 2008. He undertook his residency and specialist training in internal medicine and cardiology, including intensive care and emergency medicine, at Saarland University Medical Center in Germany. Over the course of his training and career, he achieved board certification in internal medicine, cardiology, intensive care medicine, emergency medicine, and hypertension. He obtained the venia legendi (authorization to lecture) in internal medicine and cardiology and was appointed adjunct/affiliate professor at Saarland University prior to his current professorship at the University of Basel. In addition to his European academic positions, he holds an affiliate/visiting professorship at the Harvard-MIT Biomedical Engineering Center in Boston.
Career Overview
Prof Mahfoud began his professional career in clinical cardiology at Saarland University Medical Center in Homburg, Germany, where he progressed from senior physician to deputy clinical director of the Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology. In 2024, he was appointed Professor of Cardiology and Chairman of the Department of Cardiology at University Hospital Basel in Switzerland, as well as Director of the Clinic for Cardiology.
His research focuses on translational cardiology, with particular emphasis on the autonomic nervous system, inter-organ communication in cardiovascular disease, hypertension, heart failure, and innovative interventional therapies such as renal denervation. He has led and contributed to numerous international clinical trials and research collaborations that have influenced contemporary cardiovascular practice.
Prof Mahfoud serves as Deputy Editor of the European Journal of Heart Failure and sits on several editorial boards. He is a Councillor on the Board of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) for the 2024–2026 term and chairs both the ESC Communication Committee and the Scientific Documents Committee of the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI). He has also served as a guideline writing committee member for major European clinical practice guidelines, including those on chronic coronary syndromes and arterial hypertension.
Career Timeline
- 2008: Completed medical doctorate at Goethe University Frankfurt
- 2014: Achieved specialist recognition in internal medicine and cardiology; appointed Visiting Professor at Harvard-MIT Biomedical Engineering
- 2017: Appointed adjunct/affiliate Professor at Saarland University
- 2024: Appointed Professor of Cardiology and Chairman of the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Basel
- 2024–2026: Serves as Councillor on the ESC Board; Chair of the ESC Communication Committee and EAPCI Scientific Documents Committee
- Current: Deputy Editor of European Journal of Heart Failure; author of more than 500 peer-reviewed publications
Recognition
Prof Mahfoud is internationally recognized as a leading authority in cardiovascular medicine, particularly in hypertension research, autonomic nervous system modulation, and interventional cardiology. He has authored more than 500 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has played a key role in shaping European cardiovascular guidelines. His leadership positions within the ESC and EAPCI reflect his influence on cardiovascular research, education, and clinical practice across Europe and globally.
Areas of Speciality
- Translational Cardiology
- Hypertension and Autonomic Nervous System Modulation
- Renal Denervation and Interventional Hypertension Therapies
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Heart Failure
- Structural and Interventional Cardiology
- Inter-organ Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
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