Michael Silka, MD
Dr. Silka is an innovator in the fields of pediatric cardiology and electrophysiology and has pioneered the development of guidelines for the use of implantable cardiac rhythm devices. He previously served in the role of chief of Cardiology and co-director of the Heart Institute from 2000 to 2014.
Dr. Silka has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and served as lead investigator for multiple NIH-funded studies as well as multi-center collaborative research efforts.
Dr. Silka has held posts in several national organizations committed to advancing the care of children, most notably as past president of the Pediatric Electrophysiology Society. Dr. Silka is also a marathon runner and long-distance cyclist and most recently was a physician on staff for the U.S. Olympic Marathon trials.
Education
Wayne State University
University of Texas Health Sciences Center/San Antonio: Pediatrics Internships
University of Texas Health Sciences Center/San Antonio: Pediatrics Residency
Texas Children's Hospital/Houston: Pediatric Cardiology
Accomplishments
Pediatrics: American Board of Pediatrics; Pediatric Cardiology: American Board of Pediatrics
Publications
Batra AS, Silka MJ, Borquez A, Cuneo B, Dechert B, Jaeggi E, Kannankeril PJ, Tabulov C, Tisdale JE, Wolfe D; American Heart Association Clinical Pharmacology Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology, Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences, Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing, Council on Genomic and Precision Medicine, and Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young. Pharmacological Management of Cardiac Arrhythmias in the Fetal and Neonatal Periods: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association: Endorsed by the Pediatric & Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES). Circulation. 2024 Mar 5;149(10):e937-e952.
Tracy CM, Epstein AE, Darbar D, Dimarco JP, Dunbar SB, Estes NA 3rd, Ferguson TB Jr, Hammill SC, Karasik PE, Link MS, Marine JE, Schoenfeld MH, Shanker AJ, Silka MJ, Stevenson LW, Stevenson WG, Varosy PD. 2012 ACCF/AHA/HRS Focused Update Incorporated Into the ACCF/AHA/HRS 2008 Guidelines for Device-Based Therapy of Cardiac Rhythm Abnormalities: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the Heart Rhythm Society. Circulation 2013, 127:283-352, J Am Coll Cardiol 2013, 61:6-75
Silka MJ, Bar-Cohen Y. A Contemporary Assessment of the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients with Congenital Heart Disease. Pediatric Cardiology 2012 33:452-60
Silka MJ, Bar-Cohen Y. Patients with Congenital Heart Disease and an Ejection Fraction
Silka MJ, Hardy BG, Menashe VD, Morris CD : Prospective evaluation of the risk of sudden cardiac death following surgery for common congenital heart defects. J Am Coll Cardiol 1998 32: 245-51
