Dr. Komarakshi Rajagopalan Balakrishnan

Qualification:
MBBS (1976) : Jawaharlal Institute of Post graduate Medical  Education and Research, Pondicherry.
Master of Surgery (1978-80): All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
M.Ch Cardio Thoracic(1982) :  KEM Hospital, Bombay, University of Bombay

Prizes:
 I  M.B.B.S.      

A. I Prize in surgery (1976): Awarded by the Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India 

B. First in the University
Obstretics and Gynaecology(1976) : Awarded by the University of Madras.

C.First in the University
Medicine:Awarded by the  University of Madras.
 
II. Masters in Surgery
1980. Hiralal gold medal in surgery awarded by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

III. M.Ch(Cardio Thoracic) (1982): First rank and distinction,cardiothoracic board finals, University of Bombay
 First distinction ever to be awarded by the Bombay University in the speciality

Work Experience:

1.Senior Registrar to Sir Brian Baratt-Boyes,, Cardio Thoracic Unit, Green Lane Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand 1987-1988

2.Fellow in Cardiac surgery, Oregon Health Sciences , University and St. Vincent Hospital Portland, OREGON with Dr.Albert Starr 1989-90

3.Specialist Cardiac Surgeon, Railway Hospital, Perambur, Madras JUNE  1990 – August  1994

Total Experience in Surgery: 30 Years

Total Experience in Cardiac  surgery: 27 Years
 
Operative experience: Independently performed over 16,000 heart operations

Congenital Heart Disease:

Ours is one of the leading paediatric cardiac surgical centers in the country. Extensive experience in all varieties of complex congenital heart operations including arterial switches in infancy, repair of TAPVR, common AV canal  etc and in the use of homograft conduits, repair of hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Valvular Heart Disease:
Extensive experience in all kinds of valvular procedures including repair and replace ment, rep-operations, aortic root widening, aortic root displacement and  Ross procedure.

Ischemic Heart Disease:

Large experience in Coronary artery bypass grafting including reoperations and extensive use of  arterial grafts

Currently doing over 95% of CABGs off-pump.

Use of artificial hearts as a bridge to transplantation and recovery.

Extensive experience in ventricular remodeling for LV aneurysms.

Satellite Centers Established:

1.Krishna  Heart center,Cuddalore,Tamil Nadu

We have done over 250 Coronary bypass procedures in this rural set up with no mortality and over 5000 cath lab  procedures in this center serving a rural populace.

2. Pondicherry Heart foundation:

Established last year, we are doing around 3-5 heart operations a week and the work is likely to increase with  time as more staff are recruited.

3.Tirupur Heart Institute:
Open heart programme started  recently.

4. Ongoing surgical programmes started with our expertise in  Nairobi,Kenya and Dhaka,Bangladesh.

Research Interests:

1.Causative mechanisms of diffuse coronary artery disease,study using coronary endarterectomy specimens and electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry

2.Cellular and molecular mechanisms in ventricular hypertrophy,especially in Tetralogy of Fallot

3.Biomechanical stresses in atherosclerotic plaques and effect of calcification on plaque vulnerability

4.Finite element modeling of the human heart,including aortic and mitral valve

5.Fetal cardiomyocyte culture using 3D collagen scaffolds ( Dept. of Biotechnology funding)

6. Multi axial testing of cardiac soft tissues and 3D modeling ( Dept. of biotechnology funding )

7. Rapid 3 D prototype of congenital heart disease

8.prototype development of an implantable ,intracardiac pump

9. A prototype for percutaneous mitral valve.

Important Publications:

1. Balakrishnan KR, Kuruvilla S.
Images in cardiovascular medicine. Role of inflammation in atherosclerosis: immunohistochemical and electron microscopic images of a coronary endarterectomy specimen.
Circulation. 2006 Jan 24;113(3):e41-3. No abstract available. 
PMID: 16432060 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

2. Balakrishnan KR, Parvathy U.
Modified septosuperior approach for the repair of supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous return in infants.
Ann Thorac Surg. 2005 Sep;80(3):1140-2. 
PMID: 16122518 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

3. Kumar RK, Balakrishnan KR.
Influence of lumen shape and vessel geometry on plaque stresses: possible role in the increased vulnerability of a remodelled vessel and the "shoulder" of a plaque.
Heart. 2005 Nov;91(11):1459-65. Epub 2005 Mar 17. 
PMID: 15774611 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

4. Balakrishnan KR, Thanikachalam S, Murthy JS, Saldanha R, Jayarajah M.
Severe coronary artery disease with coarctation of the aorta: role of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.
Ann Thorac Surg. 2005 Jan;79(1):343-5. 
PMID: 15620979 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

5. Sripathi VC, Kumar RK, Balakrishnan KR.
Further insights into normal aortic valve function: role of a compliant aortic root on leaflet opening and valve orifice area.
Ann Thorac Surg. 2004 Mar;77(3):844-51.

6. Gnyaneshwar R, Kumar RK, Balakrishnan KR.
Dynamic analysis of the aortic valve using a finite element model.
Ann Thorac Surg. 2002 Apr;73(4):1122-9. 
PMID: 11996252 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
 

7. Balakrishnan KR, Koppula A.
Ascending aortic aneurysm eroding the chest wall: repair avoiding a median sternotomy.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1994 Feb;107(2):640-1. No abstract available. 
PMID: 8302097 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

8. Seshadri M, Jagaannath BR, Koppula AS, Desai R, Balakrishnan KR.
A new technique to simplify the Fontan procedure after a previous bidirectional Glenn shunt.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1993 Sep;106(3):569-70. No abstract available. 
PMID: 8361208 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

9. Dual poppet heart valve – co-inventor alongwith Dr. Albert Starr of a new model heart valve prosthesis. U.S. patent

10. Truncus arteriosus in infancy using an autologous pericardial valve inside a PTFE tube
European Association of Cardio Thoracic Surgeons meeting at Copenhagen, Denmark, 1997.

11 Restrictive VSD in DORV
European Association of Cardio Thoracic Surgeons meeting at Glasgow, Scotland September 1999. 

Papers Under Review Process:

1 Krishna Kumar R,,Balakrishnan K R:. Effect of calcification on plaque stresses: European Heart Journal

2.Balakrishnan K R,Kuruvilla S,Aishwarya S et al: Vascular biology of atherosclerosis

In coronary endarterctomy specimens: Circulation.

3. Balakrishnan K R , Kuruvilla S: Diffuse coronary artery disease. Does perilipin have a causative role - Heart

4. Krishna Kumar RK, Balakrishna K R :Opening characteristics of a stent mounted tissue valve,stentless valve and a normal aortic valve : J Thorac vasc surg

5. Krishna Kumar R , Balakrishnan K R: Bicuspid aortic valve: stress distribution and possible reasons for calcification J Thorac casc surg

6. Balakrishnan K R, Kuruvilla S,Aishwarya et al: Structural basis of long term right ventricular function in Ventricular hypertrophy: electron microscopy of right ventricular biopsy in Tetralogy of Fallot. Circulation.

Publications:

1.Balakrishnan KR, Kuruvilla S.    
Images in cardiovascular medicine. Role of inflammation in atherosclerosis: immunohistochemical and electron microscopic images of a coronary endarterectomy specimen.
Circulation. 2006 Jan 24;113(3):e41-3. No abstract available. 
PMID: 16432060 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
 
2:Balakrishnan KR, Parvathy U.    
Modified septosuperior approach for the repair of supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous return in infants.
Ann Thorac Surg. 2005 Sep;80(3):1140-2. 
PMID: 16122518 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

3: Kumar RK, Balakrishnan KR.     Related Articles,
Influence of lumen shape and vessel geometry on plaque stresses: possible role in the increased vulnerability of a remodelled vessel and the "shoulder" of a plaque.
Heart. 2005 Nov;91(11):1459-65. Epub 2005 Mar 17. 
PMID: 15774611 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

4: Parvathy U, Saldanha R, Balakrishnan KR.     Related Articles,
Pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery. Surgical management of 3 cases.
J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino). 2005 Feb;46(1):43-6. 
PMID: 15758876 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

5:  Balakrishnan KR, Thanikachalam S, Murthy JS, Saldanha R, Jayarajah M.     Related Articles, Severe coronary artery disease with coarctation of the aorta: role of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.
Ann Thorac Surg. 2005 Jan;79(1):343-5. 
PMID: 15620979 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

6: Parvathy U, Balakrishnan KR, Ranjith MS, Saldanha R, Vakamudi M. Related Articles, Surgical closure of atrial septal defect in children under two years of age.
Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann. 2004 Dec;12(4):296-9. 
PMID: 15585696 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

7: Sripathi VC, Kumar RK, Balakrishnan KR.     Related Articles,
Further insights into normal aortic valve function: role of a compliant aortic root on leaflet opening and valve orifice area.
Ann Thorac Surg. 2004 Mar;77(3):844-51. 
PMID: 14992884 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

8: Parvathy U, Saldanha R, Balakrishnan KR.     Related Articles, Blunt abdominal trauma resulting in urinothorax from a missed uretero-pelvic junction avulsion: case report.
J Trauma. 2003 Jan;54(1):187-9. No abstract available. 
PMID: 12544917 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

9: Gnyaneshwar R, Kumar RK, Balakrishnan KR. Related Articles, Dynamic analysis of the aortic valve using a finite element model.
Ann Thorac Surg. 2002 Apr;73(4):1122-9. 
PMID: 11996252 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
10: Parvathy U, Balakrishnan KR, Ranjith MS, Moorthy JS. Related Articles, False aneurysm following modified Blalock-Taussig shunt.
Pediatr Cardiol. 2002 Mar-Apr;23(2):178-81. Epub 2002 Feb 19. 
PMID: 11889530 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

11: Thanikachalam S, Sengottuvel G, George S, Kumar MS, Shivakumar RV, Balakrishnan KR, Murthy JS.     Related Articles, A Case of Ball Valve Thrombus.
Echocardiography. 1999 Feb;16(2):143-145. 
PMID: 11175132 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

12:Parvathy U, Balakrishnan KR, Ranjith MS, Saldanha R, Sai S, Vakamudi M.     Related Articles, Your browser may not support display of this image. Links
Surgical experience with congenital heart disease in Down's syndrome.
Indian Heart J. 2000 Jul-Aug;52(4):438-41. 
PMID: 11084787 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

13: Parvathy U, Balakrishnan KR, Ranjith MS.     Related Articles,
Bi-directional Glenn with a modified Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedure--an alternative technique for transposition of great arteries, intact ventricular septum with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.
Indian Heart J. 1998 Sep-Oct;50(5):554-6. No abstract available. 
PMID: 10052286 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

14: Parvathy U, Balakrishnan KR, Ranjit MS, Kuruvilla S, Rao KR. Related Articles,.Primary intracardiac yolk sac tumor.
Pediatr Cardiol. 1998 Nov-Dec;19(6):495-7. 
PMID: 9770582 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

15: Balakrishnan KR, Saldanha R, Sai S, Suresh K, Parvathy U. Related Articles,Warm cardioplegia in cardiac transplantation.
Ann Thorac Surg. 1997 Nov;64(5):1518. No abstract available. 
PMID: 9386747 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

16: Koppula AS, Jagannath BR, Balakrishnan KR, Gupta CM. Related Articles, Your browser may not support display of this image. Links
Noncardioplegic myocardial protection for CABG deserves a second look.
Ann Thorac Surg. 1997 Mar;63(3):914-5. No abstract available. 
PMID: 9066441 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

17: Koppula AS, Koppalla MM, Abraham KA, Balakrishnan KR. Related Articles, Isolated bilateral coronary ostial stenosis with complete obstruction of the left main artery.
Ann Thorac Surg. 1995 Mar;59(3):785-6. No abstract available. 
PMID: 7887742 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

18: Bhutani AK, Dev K, Gupta CH, Abraham KA, Desai RN, Balakrishnan KR.     Related Articles, Aortic root enlargement by Manouguian's technique.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1994 Oct;108(4):788. No abstract available. 
PMID: 7934119 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

19: Bhutani AK, Koppala MM, Abraham KA, Balakrishnan KR, Desai RN.     Related Articles, Iadvertent transection of anomalously arising left anterior descending artery during tetralogy of Fallot repair: bypass grafting with left internal mammary artery.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1994 Sep;108(3):589-90. No abstract available. 
PMID: 8078355 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

20: Murthy JS, Balakrishnan KR, Abraham KA. Related Articles, Aortocameral fistula to right atrium.
Indian Heart J. 1994 Mar-Apr;46(2):113-4. No abstract available. 
PMID: 7989073 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
 
21: Balakrishnan KR, Koppula A.     Related Articles, Your browser may not support display of this image. Ascending aortic aneurysm eroding the chest wall: repair avoiding a median sternotomy.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1994 Feb;107(2):640-1. No abstract available. 
PMID: 8302097 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

22: Bhutani AK, Dev K, Koppala MM, Maddali MM, Abraham KA, Balakrishnan KR, Desai RN.     Related Articles, Congenital aortic stenosis and patent ductus arteriosus in the adult.
Ann Thorac Surg. 1993 Oct;56(4):1003. No abstract available. 
PMID: 8280285 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

23: Seshadri M, Jagaannath BR, Koppula AS, Desai R, Balakrishnan KR.     Related Articles, A new technique to simplify the Fontan procedure after a previous bidirectional Glenn shunt.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1993 Sep;106(3):569-70. No abstract available. 
PMID: 8361208 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

24:Ranjit S, Ranjit MS, Balakrishnan KR.     Related Articles,
Massive aneurysm of the thoracic aorta in an infant--a forme fruste of infantile Marfan syndrome.
Indian Heart J. 1993 Jul-Aug;45(4):283-5. No abstract available. 
PMID: 8138281 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 25: Reddy KN, Ranjit S, Jagannath BR, Seshadri M, Balakrishnan KR.     Related Articles, Successful management of Bland--White-Garland syndrome in infancy.
Indian J Pediatr. 1992 Mar-Apr;59(2):275-9. No abstract available. 
PMID: 1398858 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

26:Gupta SR, Reddy KN, Abraham KA, Gupta SK, Murthy JS, Sharma AK, Balakrishnan KR, Cherian KM.     Related Articles, Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC)--left upperlobe pulmonary vein draining into coronary sinus.
Indian Heart J. 1986 Nov-Dec;38(6):489-90. No abstract available. 
PMID: 3447955 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
 
27. False aneurysm following modified Blalock Taussig Shunt
Paediatric Cardiology 2002 Mar-Apr;23(2): 143-145.
 
28.Surgical Retrival of Malpositioned Ductal coil.
Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic annals 2001 Dec Vol 9 no.4 .

 29.Surgical Experience with congenital heart disease in Down’s Syndrome
Indian heart Journal 2000 Jul-Aug;51(4): 438-41

30. Extracardiac Fontan/Kawashima procedure without cardiopulmonary Bypass.
Asian  Cardiovascular & Thoracic annals 2000, Vol 8, No.3 : 264-265.

31.A case of Ball Valve Thrombus
Echocardiography 1999 Feb;16(2):143-145

32. Bidirectional Glenn with a modified Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedure – an alternative technique for transposition of great arteries, intact ventricular septum with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction
Indian heart Journal 1998, Sep-Octl 50(5): 554-6.
 
33. Repair of aortic valve in Infective endocarditis
 Journal of Heart Valve Diseas 

34.Inadvertent transection of anomalous LAD during tetralogy of   Fallot repair, bypass grafting with left internal mammary artery.
J Thorac Cardiovas Surg 1994sept 108(3):589-90.

35 Aorto Cameral Fistula to right atrium –
Indian Heart Journal  1994 Mar-Apr 46(2): 113-4

36. Ruptured aneurysm of abdominal aorta due to aorto-arteritis – successful management of two cases.
Journal of cardio vascular surgery 28.1, 26-29, (1987)
 
37. Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) left upper lobe pulmonary vein draining into coronary sinus.
Indian Heart Journal 1986 Nov- Dec; 38(6): 489-90

38. A technique of right ventricular outflow tract patching with autologous pericardium
Annals of Thoracic Surgery 12.01.109-111 (1986)
 
39. Modified Vosschulte repair for congenital coarctation of aorta
Indian Heart Journal  7.2.1985

40. Experience with extra cardiac conduits in  correction complex congenital heart lesions
Indian Heart Journal  37.4.1985

41. Trans atrial repair of double outlet right ventricle and allied lesions
Indian Heart Journal  37.4.1985

42. Surgery for sub annular congenital left ventricular aneurysm. Scientific abstracts of world congress in Open heart surgery, Bombay India 1985
 
43. Lutembacher syndrome.
Indian Heart Journal  36.6.1984
 

44 Mitral annuloplasty using Puig Massana Shiley ring
Indian Heart Journal  34.5.1983
 
45 Endocardiectomy for left ventricular endomyocardial fibrosis
Indian Heart Journal  33.4.1983

46. Open Mitral Valvotomy for mitral stenosis. Thesis at the University of Bombay, 1982

47. Open mitral valvotomy – Technique and results

Indian Heart Journal  33.4.1981

48. Dual poppet heart valve – co-inventor alongwith Dr. Albert Starr of a new model heart valve prosthesis. U.S. patent

49. Biochemical analysis of bile in patients with choleithialsis and comparision with normal bile. Thesis  for the All India Institute of medical Sciences, New Delhi, 1980
50 Truncus arteriosus in infancy using an autologous pericardial valve inside a PTFE tube
European Association of Cardio Thoracic Surgeons meeting at Copenhagen, Denmark, 1997.

51 Restrictive VSD in DORV
European Association of Cardio Thoracic Surgeons meeting at Glasgow, Scotland
September 1999.