Dr. Alexis is a cardiologist who takes care of patients with heart failure and patients who have received heart transplants and artificial hearts (VAD). Dr. Alexis' research focuses on left ventricular assist devices. His research is aimed at improving outcomes for patients with mechanical circulatory assist devices. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology.

Certified Specialties

Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology - American Board of Internal Medicine

Cardiovascular Disease - American Board of Internal Medicine

Faculty Appointments

Professor - Department of Medicine, Cardiology (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Cardiology, Mount Sinai Magnetic Resonance Imaging (USA). 1995 - 1998

Residency, Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. 1993 - 1995

Internship, Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. 1992 - 1993

Education

MD | Harvard Medical School. 1992

Awards

Teaching Award: Institute for Medical Education Mount Sinai School of Medicine 2003

Robert Wood Johnson Minority Medical Faculty Development Grant 2000

John C. Sable Memorial Heart Fund, Inc. Award 1998

Selection to Aesculapian Club of Harvard Medical School 1992

Harvard Medical School-Hewlett-Packard Top Medical Graduate Award 1992

Harvard Medical School Summer Research Scholarship 1989

Research

Research in Dr. Alexis' lab focuses on signaling pathways that regulate intimal proliferation. Intimal proliferation occurs in several pathologic states including transplant arteriopathy and restenosis following angioplasty. Smooth muscle cell inflammation and proliferation are important aspects of this pathology. Our research focuses on the role of breakpoint cluster region (Bcr) in the development of intimal proliferation. Bcr was first identified for its role as part of the Philadelphia chromosome in chronic myelogenous leukemia. Bcr is also a serine/threonine kinase. We have demonstrated that Bcr plays a role in vascular wall intimal proliferation. We have shown that Bcr regulates both inflammation and proliferation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Specifically, we have shown that dominant negative Bcr reversed Angiotensin II-mediated inhibition of the transcription factor PPAR gamma. We have found that Angiotensin II increases Bcr expression and kinase activation. We have shown that Bcr is present in the nucleus of smooth muscle cells and phosphorylates PPAR gamma. We have also shown that Bcr inhibits PPAR gamma transcriptional activation. This inhibition is via phosphorylation of PPAR gamma at S82, the site at which ERK 1/2 phosphorylates PPAR gamma (also leading to inhibition of PPAR gamma). Our data also demonstrate that Bcr enhances NF-kB transcriptional activity at least in part via inhibition of PPAR gamma. Intimal proliferation in low-flow carotid arteries was reduced in Bcr knockout mice compared with controls, demonstrating a critical role of Bcr on VSMC proliferation in vivo. Our current work focuses on Bcr signaling independent of PPAR gamma. We have identified the splicing factor UAP56 as another Bcr kinase substrate and we are now investigating the role of UAP56 in cellular proliferation.

Publications

Journal Articles

Survival and Readmission Burden in Advanced Heart Failure Patients Managed With Ventricular Assist Device Versus Continued Medical Therapy.

Alexis JD, Wood K, Gosev I, Jawaid A, Chen L, Godishala A, Tallman M, Thomas S, Martens J, Polonsky B, Chen AY, McNitt S, Sherazi S, Goldenberg I

ASAIO journal : a peer-reviewed journal of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs.. 2025 March 3 Epub 03/03/2025.

Reassessing the need for primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in contemporary patients with heart failure.

Goldenberg I, Ezekowitz J, Albert C, Alexis JD, Anderson L, Behr ER, Daubert J, Di Palo KE, Ellenbogen KA, Dzikowicz DJ, Hsich E, Huang DT, Januzzi JL, Kutyifa V, Lala A, Onwuanyi A, Piña IL, Sandhu RK, Sears S, Sroubek J, Strawderman R, Zareba W, Butler J

Heart rhythm.. 2025 January 27 Epub 01/27/2025.

Reassessing the need for primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in contemporary patients with heart failure.

Journal of cardiac failure.. 2025 January 22 Epub 01/22/2025.

Aspirin and Hemocompatibility After LVAD Implantation in Patients With Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease: A Secondary Analysis From the ARIES-HM3 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Gustafsson F, Uriel N, Netuka I, Katz JN, Pagani FD, Connors JM, Jorde UP, Zimpfer D, Pya Y, Conway J, Anyanwu A, Scandroglio AM, Sulemanjee N, Atluri P, Keebler M, Selzman CH, Alexis JD, Hayward C, Henderson J, Dirckx N, Gazzola C, Mehra MR,

JAMA cardiology.. 2025 January 8 Epub 01/08/2025.

Association of Psychosocial Risk Factors With Quality of Life and Readmissions 1 Year After LVAD Implantation.

Wang J, Okoh AK, Chen Y, Steinberg RS, Gangavelli A, Patel KJ, Ko YA, Alexis JD, Patel SA, Vega DJ, Daneshmand M, DeFilippis EM, Breathett K, Morris AA

Journal of cardiac failure.. 2025 January 31 (1):40-48. Epub 04/15/2024.

Sex Differences in Myocardial Histology, Gene Expression, and Myocardial Recovery in Recent-Onset Cardiomyopathy.

Koczo A, Rao A, Starling RC, Cooper LT, Dec GW, Alexis JD, Gorcsan J, McTiernan C, McNamara DM

JACC. Heart failure.. 2023 December 11 (12):1757-1759. Epub 09/20/2023.

Racial differences in clinical characteristics and readmission burden among patients with a left ventricular-assist device.

Sherazi S, Alexis JD, McNitt S, Polonsky B, Shah S, Younis A, Kutyifa V, Vidula H, Gosev I, Goldenberg I

Artificial organs.. 2023 August 47 (8):1242-1249. Epub 02/23/2023.

Serial Cardiac Troponin Measurements: A Prediction Tool for Heart Failure Risk in Black Patients?

Ilonze OJ, Alexis JD, Onwuanyi A

Journal of cardiac failure.. 2023 January 29 (1):16-17. Epub 08/15/2022.

Confirm Rx insertable cardiac monitor for primary atrial fibrillation detection in high-risk heart failure patients (Confirm-AF trial).

Aktas MK, Zareba W, Butler J, Younis A, McNitt S, Brown MW, Steinberg J, Chen L, Alexis JD, Vidula H, Goldenberg I

Annals of noninvasive electrocardiology : the official journal of the International Society for Holter and Noninvasive Electrocardiology, Inc.. 2023 January 28 (1):e13021. Epub 11/27/2022.

Less Invasive Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation Is Safe and Feasible in Patients With Smaller Body Surface Area.

Hack M, Wood KL, Bjelic M, Paic F, Vidula H, Cheyne C, Chase K, Tallman M, Bernstein W, Wyrobek JA, Alexis JD, Gosev I

Innovations : technology and techniques in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery.. 2023 18 (5):445-451. Epub 10/04/2023.

Bcr kinase activation by Angiotensin II inhibits PPARg transcriptional activity in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Alexis, J.D.; Wang, N.; Che, W.; Lerner-Marmarosh, N.; Sahni, A.; Korshunov, V.A.; Zou, Y.; Ding, B.; Yan, C.; Berk, B.C.; Abe, J.

Circulation Research. 2009; 104: 69-78.

Inhibition of MCP-1/CCR2 signaling does not inhibit intimal proliferation in a mouse aortic transplant model.

Alexis,J.D.; Pyo,R.T.; Chereshnev,I.; Katz J.; Rollins,B.J.; Charo I.F.; Taubman,M.B.

Journal of Vascular Research. 2008; 45: 538-546.

Cardiac drug-psychotropic drug update

Strain,J. J.; Karim,A.; Caliendo,G.; Alexis,J. D.; Lowe,R. S.,3rd; Fuster,V.

General Hospital Psychiatry. 2002; 24: 283-289.

Cardiac drug-psychotropic drug update.

Strain JJ, Karim A, Caliendo G, Alexis JD, Lowe RS, Fuster V

General hospital psychiatry.. 2002 24 (5):283-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

Antithrombotic effect of FK506 vs cyclosporine in cardiac transplant recipients: potential implications in transplant arteriopathy.

Freudenberger R, Alexis J, Gass A, Fuster V, Badimon J

The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation.. 1999 December 18 (12):1228-31. Epub 1900 01 01.

Cardiac drug and psychotropic drug interactions: significance and recommendations.

Strain,J. J.; Caliendo,G.; Alexis,J. D.; Lowe,R. S.,3rd; Karim,A.; Loigman,M.

General Hospital Psychiatry. 1999; 21: 408-429.

Antithrombotic effect of FK 506 versus cyclosporine in cardiac transplant recipients: potential implications in transplant arteriopathy.

*Freudenberger,R.; *Alexis,J.; Gass,A.; Fuster,V.; Badimon,J.

The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation: the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation. 1999; 18: 1228-31. *Contributed equally to this work.

Cardiac drug and psychotropic drug interactions: significance and recommendations.

Strain JJ, Caliendo G, Alexis JD, Lowe RS, Karim A, Loigman M

General hospital psychiatry.. 1999 21 (6):408-29. Epub 1900 01 01.

Elderly patients receive less aggressive medical and invasive management of unstable angina: potential impact of practice guidelines.

Giugliano RP, Camargo CA, Lloyd-Jones DM, Zagrodsky JD, Alexis JD, Eagle KA, Fuster V, O'Donnell CJ

Archives of internal medicine.. 1998 May 25158 (10):1113-20. Epub 1900 01 01.

Cardiac troponin T: a noninvasive marker for heart transplant rejection?

Alexis JD, Lao CD, Selter JG, Courtney MC, Correa DK, Lansman SL, Kushwaha SS, Gass AL

The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation.. 1998 April 17 (4):395-8. Epub 1900 01 01.

Cardiac troponin T: a noninvasive marker for heart transplant rejection?

Alexis, J. D.; Lao, C. D.; Selter, J. G.; Courtney, M. C.; Correa, D. K.; Lansman, S. L.; Kushwaha, S. S.; Gass, A. L.

The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation. 1998; 17: 395-398.

Books

Manual of Heart Failure Management (2009)

Chapter: Systolic Heart Failure

Authors: Teeters, J.C.; Alexis, J.D.

Publisher: Springer 2009

Ratings & Comments

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Ratings

Care provider's discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)

4.7

Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

4.8

Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition

4.8

Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care

4.8

Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries

4.8

Patient Comments

5.0

Very good

Oct 20, 2024

5.0

Very attentive and engaging.

Sep 08, 2024

5.0

Dr Alexis was Incredible. He was the best I've ever had. And I'm 76. Very happy.

Aug 18, 2024

5.0

We (my wife and myself) were extremely impressed with our first visit with Dr. Alexis. He reviewed my very lengthy and involved medical history and asked many appropriate questions. We are very happy with Dr. Alexis.

Jun 12, 2024

5.0

Very attentive to my issues.

Mar 04, 2024

5.0

Dr. Alexis is one of my favorite doctors.

Jun 02, 2023

5.0

Dr. Alexis provided some of the best care, knowledge, thoroughness, interest I have ever received from a doctor. He's an exceptional MD

Apr 30, 2023

5.0

Have recommended several patients to your facility

Apr 23, 2023

5.0

A super doctor. He was very intelligent and explain every thing very well. I just thought very highly of him. If I lived in Rochester or even close. I love him to be my dr.

Mar 08, 2023

5.0

Good.

Dec 28, 2022