Robert H. Helm MD
Clinical Associate Professor, Cardiovascular Medicine
Clinical Associate Professor, Radiology
75 E. Newton St | (617) 638-8734rhelm@bu.edu
robert.helm@bmc.org
Sections
Cardiovascular Medicine
Biography
Dr. Robert Helm is an academic cardiac electrophysiologist whose clinical and research interests include atrial fibrillation and advanced cardiac pacing. As director of the Cardiac Device Clinic at Boston Medical Center (BMC), he has expanded arrhythmia services across BMC’s regional affiliates, including Sturdy Health, while improving the safety and accessibility of perioperative care and magnetic resonance imaging for patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices. His research examines cognitive outcomes and health disparities in atrial fibrillation, innovative pacing techniques, arrhythmia detection and anticoagulation management. Current projects include developing a mapping system to facilitate left bundle branch area pacing, investigating anodal biphasic pacing to improve diastolic function and serving as site principal investigator for the NIH-funded REACT-AF trial of Apple Watch-guided anticoagulation. Dr. Helm contributes to national consensus statements and physician certification programs through the Heart Rhythm Society and American College of Cardiology.
Education
MD, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine
BS, Johns Hopkins University
Publications
Yoo TK, Trujillo-Arvizu L, Kaufman C, Pendela VS, Rodriguez S, Hu T, Tugal D, Helm RH, Monahan KM. Short QT Syndrome Masquerading as Lone Atrial Fibrillation: Hidden in Plain Sight. JACC Case Rep. 2026 Jul 29; 31(30):108675. PMID: 42530204.
Published on 1/28/2025Ko D, Chung MK, Evans PT, Benjamin EJ, Helm RH. Atrial Fibrillation: A Review. JAMA. 2025 Jan 28; 333(4):329-342. PMID: 39680399.
Published on 11/8/2024Shapira-Daniels A, King DS, Reisner SL, Beach LB, Eromosele OB, Ravichandran S, Helm RH, Benjamin EJ, Streed CG. Prevalence of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Transgender and Nonbinary Adult Community Health Center Patients. LGBT Health. 2025; 12(4):249-257. PMID: 39514251.
Published on 5/15/2024Chugh PV, Danford J, Farber A, Ayalon N, Verma A, Helm RH, Monahan KM, Kalish JA. Retrieval of Embolized WATCHMAN® Flex Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device. Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2024 Oct; 58(7):752-756. PMID: 38747057.
Published on 5/14/2024Athreya DS, Saczynski JS, Gurwitz JH, Monahan KM, Bamgbade BA, Paul TJ, Sogade F, Lessard DM, McManus DD, Helm RH. Cognitive impairment and treatment strategy for atrial fibrillation in older adults: The SAGE-AF study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2024 Jul; 72(7):2082-2090. PMID: 38742376.
Published on 4/11/2024Helm RH, Andersson C, Kim DH, Monahan KM, Ko D. Racial/ethnic differences in patients undergoing left atrial appendage occlusion. Heart Rhythm O2. 2024 May; 5(5):321-323. PMID: 38840758.
Published on 1/10/2024Ko D, Treu TM, Tarko L, Ho YL, Preis SR, Trinquart L, Gagnon DR, Monahan KM, Helm RH, Orkaby AR, Lubitz SA, Bosch NA, Walkey AJ, Cho K, Wilson PWF, Benjamin EJ. Incidence and prognostic significance of newly-diagnosed atrial fibrillation among older U.S. veterans hospitalized with COVID-19. Sci Rep. 2024 Jan 10; 14(1):952. PMID: 38200186.
Published on 5/2/2023Pierre-Louis IC, Saczynski JS, Lopez-Pintado S, Waring ME, Abu HO, Goldberg RJ, Kiefe CI, Helm R, McManus DD, Bamgbade BA. Characteristics associated with poor atrial fibrillation-related quality of life in adults with atrial fibrillation. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2023 Jul 01; 24(7):422-429. PMID: 37129916.
Published on 3/30/2023Wasserlauf J, Vogel K, Whisler C, Benjamin E, Helm R, Steinhaus DA, Yousuf O, Passman RS. Accuracy of the Apple watch for detection of AF: A multicenter experience. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2023 May; 34(5):1103-1107. PMID: 36942773.
Published on 3/10/2023Manivannan A, Schou M, Monahan KM, Helm R, Ko D, Fosbøl E, Køber L, Gustafsson F, Gislason GH, Torp-Pedersen C, Andersson C. Prognostic Importance of Atrial Fibrillation and Anticoagulation in Alcoholic Versus Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Alcohol Alcohol. 2023 Mar 10; 58(2):159-163. PMID: 36426877.