About the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program
The Cardiovascular Diseases fellowship programs provides fellows with a comprehensive training experience, which will enable them to pursue careers in either academic or private practice cardiology. Emphasis is placed on both excellent clinical training and a research experience, which is tailored to the individual's aspirations and previous activities. Clinical training consists of practical clinical rotations, didactic instruction, conference preparation and presentation, and both self-directed and assigned reading.
The program now offers two separate training pathways to accommodate the training needs of each individual fellow—a clinical pathway (three years) and a research pathway. These are two distinct pathways within GME at VCUMC. The clinical program will be appropriate for the majority of our fellows and involves a three year clinical curriculum with protected time for scholarly activities. Graduates of the clinical pathway pursue careers in private practice as well as academic practice, often as clinician educators.
The T32 Training Program within the Division of Cardiology at VCU Health is a 4 year (2+2) CV medicine training program designed to provide cardiology training to post-doctoral physicians-scientists capable of developing new advances in multi-disciplinary translational cardiovascular (CV) research directed toward the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Trainees of this program will participate in translational CV science using cellular, small animal, or single and multi-center population cohorts and clinical trials for the purpose of applying this knowledge to design and lead future studies regarding important questions in cardiovascular health.
Cardiovascular disease fellows in both pathways do clinical rotations at VCU Medical Center and at the affiliated Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center (MVAMC). The fellows will spend approximately 70% of the time at VCU Medical Center over the course of three years. The range of cardiology services and experiences offered at the MVAMC parallel those offered at VCUMC. The MVAMC is a full service hospital offering veterans the full range of cardiovascular care including advanced electrophysiology and heart failure therapies (Heart Transplantation). The research opportunities for the clinical track fellow and T32 fellow are available at both institutions, which together present broad and complementary clinical and research faculties.
Training is provided in all areas of clinical cardiology, including invasive/interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, echocardiography, stress testing, critical care cardiology (medical and surgical), ambulatory cardiology, consultative cardiology, pediatric cardiology and transplant/heart failure.
Responsibility for the management of the Cardiology Fellowship Program, and for the successful completion of appropriate training for each fellow, resides in the Division Chief, Dr. Kenneth Ellenbogen, Director of the Pauley Heart Center, Dr. William Gregory Hundley, and the Program Director, Dr. Gautham Kalahasty. Major determinants of the structure of the Fellowship Program are the American Board of Internal Medicine subspecialty requirements for Cardiovascular Disease, and the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Bethesda Conference on Adult Cardiology Training. Additional determinants of program contents include the career plans and special needs of individual fellows, the requirements for adequate clinical exposure to ensure clinical excellence. Finally, the fellows and faculty continuously contribute to improving program to be at the forefront of the ever-evolving field of cardiology. Rotations, electives and didactic content is regularly modified to meet the educational needs of fellows maintain the academic and clinical excellence.
Welcome
Program Director: Gautham Kalahasty, MD
Welcome from the Program Director
Learn
Program Curriculum & Conferences
Curriculum
Overview and Goals
The Cardiology Fellowship Program at VCU Medical Center and McGuire V.A. Medical Center is a 3 year program designed to provide comprehensive clinical cardiology training, to foster the development of investigative skills in basic science and patient oriented research, and to encourage and facilitate careers in either academic medicine or clinical practice.
The goals of our clinical training program are to provide ample exposure to the many complex areas within our subspecialty, to teach the principles and practice of consultative cardiology, and to transmit the skills required to properly utilize, perform, and interpret the variety of noninvasive and invasive methods available in cardiovascular medicine. Within the clinical program, scholarly activity and research are required. The goal is to assist the fellow in the development of research projects, to provide faculty supervision and protected time for investigation, and to guide interested fellows through the initial stages of research career development.
In addition to clinical training that qualifies to sit for the American Board of Internal Medicine exam regarding Cardiovascular Diseases, within this training program, trainees will create Individual Development Plans with a 3-member mentor team made up of experts actively involved in extramurally funded CV disease research. The mentor team will assist the trainee in the initiation and performance of a research project with the goal of publication and further prepare the trainee to lead future cardiovascular clinical studies. Additionally, trainees will: a) have the option to obtain a Master’s degree or additional education through didactic training courses to provide a framework of understanding in translational CV research, b) present the results of their ongoing research at Institutional and International conferences and symposia, c) engage in multidisciplinary interaction with individuals from other VCU departments at the Pauley Heart Center in research seminars, and apply to attend the 10-day NIH/AHA Seminar on the Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular disease.
The Fellowship Program includes major involvement at both the VCU Medical Center (VCU) and the McGuire V.A. Medical Center (MVA). The fellows will spend approximately 70% of the time at VCU Medical Center over the course of three years. The range of cardiology services and experiences offered at the MVA parallel those offered at VCU. The research opportunities for the clinical track fellow and T32 fellow are available at both institutions, which together present broad and complementary clinical and research faculties.
Tracks
There are two pathways within cardiology fellowship program offered at VCUMC. Currently applicants should use the same ERAS identification number and NRMP designation when applying. The applicant should specify the pathway to which they are applying. Applicants should verify they are applying to the program that best suits their career goals. The clinical program includes dedicated and protected time for research and scholarly activity within the three year curriculum as detailed in the section entitled Curriculum & Conferences. The T32 research program is a 2+2 curriculum, with the first two years dedicated to clinical training and the third and fourth year dedicated to research. Two half-days of clinic are required during the research years. Fellows in this program will be eligible to take the ABIM subspeciality board exam in Cardiovascular Disease.
Typical Schedule and Rotations
Below is a block diagram of Rotations and Electives and a brief description of each core rotations.
| Rotation | Duration (wks) | Institution | % Outpatient | % Research |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echo | 6 | 1 & 2 combined | 10 | 0 |
| VCU CICU | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| VCU Cath | 7 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| VCU ACE | 6 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Heart Failure | 2 | 1 & 2 combined | 25 | 0 |
| VCU Consults | 5 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Night Float | 1 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| EP | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Stress/Nuc | 2 | 1 & 2 combined | 20 | 0 |
| VA ACE Team | 9 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| VA Consults | 3 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Research | 2 | 1 or 2 | 10 | 90 |
| Vacation | 4 | NA | NA | NA |
| 52 |
| Rotation | Duration (wks) | Institution | % Outpatient | % Research |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echo | 2 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| VCU CICU | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| VCU Cath | 3 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| VA Cath | 2 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| VCU ACE | 2 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Heart Failure | 3 | 1 & 2 combined | 25 | 0 |
| VCU Consults | 4 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Night Float | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| EP | 4 | 1 | 20 | 0 |
| Stress/Nuc | 4 | 1 & 2 combined | 10 | 0 |
| VA Consults | 3-4 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| TEE | 2 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| MRI | 4 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Peds | 2 | 1 | 20 | 0 |
| Research | 4 | 1 or 2 | 10 | 90 |
| Vacation | 4 | NA | NA | NA |
| 52 |
| Rotation | Duration (wks) | Institution | % Outpatient | % Research |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VCU CICU | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| VCU Cath | 4 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| VA Cath | 7 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| TEE | 7 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| MRI | 4 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Heart Failure | 2 | 1 & 2 combined | 25 | 0 |
| Night Float | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| EP | 2 | 1 | 20 | 0 |
| Stress/Nuc | 2 | 1 & 2 combined | 10 | 0 |
| VA Consults | 2 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Peds | 2 | 1 | 20 | 0 |
| Research | 2 | 1 or 2 | 10 | 90 |
| Elective | 9 | 1 or 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Vacation | 4 | NA | NA | NA |
| 52 |
*** Due to the night float system and variety of clinical training rotations the schedule is based on a 1-week block***
Possible electives:
- Pediatric Cardiology – Institution 1
- Non‐Invasive Vascular Lab – Institution 1
- Heart Failure – Institution 1
- EP – Institution 1 or 2
- MRI– Institution 1
- Research – Institution 1 or 2
- TEE—Institution 1
- CHF—Institution 1 or 2
Institution Key:
- Institution 1 = Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
- Institution 2 = Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center (Richmond)
Rotation Key:
- Echo: Echocardiography Rotation
- CICU: Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
- Cath: Cardiac Catherization Lab
- ACE: General Cardiology Inpatient Wards
- VA ACE: General Cardiology Inpatient Wards, including consults and ICU
- Night Float: Cardiac Intensive Care Unit night coverage
- EP: Electrophysiology
- CHF: Advanced Heart Failure
- Consults: Inpatient Consult Service
- Stress/Nuc: Cardiac Stress Testing and Nuclear Cardiology
- Peds: Pediatric Cardiology Consult Service and outpatient clinics
Rotation Descriptions:
VCU ACE: This is an inpatient general cardiology service comprised an attending, a fellow, 2-3 interns and an upper level resident. The fellows is expected function as a junior attending and resource for the interns and residents. The typical census is between 12 and 16 patients. The patients on this service generally received from the emergency room transferred from the ICU or from other hospitals.
VA ACE: This is a hybrid inpatient service combining general cardiology wards and Cardiac ICU patients at the Veterans Administration Hospital. It is comprised one attending, one fellow and several interns and residents. The typical census is between 10-14 patients. The fellow is expected to function as a junior attending and resource for the interns and residence.
CICU: The CICU is a traditional cardiac ICU service. It is a closed unit and fellow is responsible for the ICU patients as well as the ICU consults. The service consists of a fellow, an attending, an NP, and 4 residents. Only select faculty round in the ICU based there teaching ability clinical interests and expertise and house staff evaluations. The typical senses is between 8-10 patients. This is a high-level ICU with truly critically ill patients including patients on ECMO and patients awaiting heart transplant. All admission requests and transfers are managed by the fellow. The fellow will triage all acute MI patients and activate the cardiac catheterization lab when appropriate.
Night Float: Night float Service is only at VCU Medical Center. The fellow is responsible for ICU patients and hospital consults. There is a night float resident as well. All admission requests and transfers are managed by the fellow. The fellow will triage all acute MI patients and activate the cardiac catheterization lab when appropriate.
VCU Consult Service: The consult service consists of the fellow, an attending, and typically 2-3 residents and medical students. You will be responsible for all non-ICU cardiology consults. The fellow will triage all consults and guide team members as they evaluate patients. The service typically sees 8-12 new consults daily.
Echocardiography: The goal of this rotation is to learn to perform and interpret echocardiograms. The fellow be taught a teaching sonographer with extra time dedicated to learning to acquire images and to compose a comprehensive report. Fellow will then interpret 15-20 echocardiograms daily with a non-invasive attending. This rotation is shared at both teaching sites.
Catheterization Lab: This rotation is done at both VCU and at the Veteran's Administration Hospital. Fellows will get the opportunity to become proficient as a primary operator in diagnostic left heart catheterization and right heart catheterization procedures. Fellows are given a graduated level procedural independence under direct supervision by VCU and VA interventional faculty. Fellows will be able to achieve COCATS level 2 proficiency over the course of 3 years.
Stress: This is a shared rotation between VCU Medical Center and the Veterans Administration Hospital. Fellows will be directly involved in the supervision and interpretation of stress echocardiograms and nuclear stress tests.
EP: While on the EP service you will do the majority of the EP consults. When it gets busy the EP fellows will also help with consults. You are also encouraged to scrub in for any EP cases that you would like. Lastly, you will attend 1 or 2 half day clinics to see EP patients in the outpatient setting.
HF: The inpatient Advanced Heart failure Service is staffed by 1 fellow, 1 attending and several nurse practitioners. The fellows primarily responsible for heart failure consult is and rounding on patients with total artificial heart is and LVADs. The nurse practitioners will perform admissions and discharges for patients on the inpatient service.
MRI: MRI is a core rotation. The fellows will learn to perform and interpret cardiac MRIs and stress MRIs. Fellows will be taught by a combination cardiology core faculty members and radiologists. Fellows should be able to achieve COCATS level 2 MRI skills over the course of the fellowship.
TEE: During the TEE rotation you will be responsible for performing the TEEs at VCU. You will perform and read about 4-5 TEEs daily while on the rotation. This is supplemented by TEEs performed in the operating room. Here the fellows will be taught by cardiac anesthesiologists. All fellows will be able to achieve COCATS level 2.
Pediatric Cardiology: While on the pediatric rotation you will work with the pediatric cardiology fellows and faculty. The fellow will see inpatient consults and work in the outpatient pediatric cardiology clinic. While in the clinic you will see mostly adult patients with congenital cardiac disorders. You will also become familiar with many of the congenital surgeries and repair techniques.
Research: There is a minimum of 8 weeks of protected research time during the clinical fellowship. Additional can be taken for elective weeks based on the interests of the fellow and needs of the research project. Most fellows participate in clinical research, but some will work in the animal lab and basic or translation relation.
Unique Learning Opportunities
Cardiology fellows will access to a variety educational conferences and symposiums offered by professional societies. Fellows routinely attend regional ACC, ACC, AHA, and Heart Rhythm Society annual meeting. VCU Sponsored CME conferences including the annual Women’s Health Symposium are available. Fellows will also have the opportunity to attending educational conferences offered by industry, such as MEDTRONIC and BOSTON SCIENTIFIC.
Conferences
Conferences
The fellowship as a comprehensive series well thought out and didactic conferences. Fellows expected to attend all core conferences. They are scheduled to allow attendance without interfering with daily clinical activities. These include:
- Core Curriculum Conferences: faculty presentations
- Grand Rounds: faculty, fellow and guest presentations including research presentations
- Echo Conference: faculty and fellow presentations
- ECG Conference: faculty presentations
- Journal Club: fellow presentations
Individual Sections also have a robust series of conferences
- Cath Conference: faculty and fellow presentations
- EP Conferences: faculty and EP fellow presentations
- Advanced Heart Failure Conference: faculty presentations
Scholarship
Our recent publications, presentations and abstracts
Scholarship
The fellows in this program have a remarkable record of scholarly activity. Below is a sample of recent publications within the last three years. This list does not include poster presentations or oral presentations as national and international professional society meetings.
Class of 2022
Kabadi, Rajiv
- “Use of Cangrelor as a Bridge to Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation in a Patient with a Recent Drug-Eluting Stent Who developed Acute Tirofiban-Related Thrombocytopenia.”
Kabadi RA, Danelich IM, Entwistle JW 3rd, Marhefka GD, Reeves G, Boyle AJ, Qureshi AM.
Pharmacotherapy 2019
Kadariya, Dinesh
- “Peak Oxygen Uptake Recovery Delay After Maximal Exercise in Patients With Heart Failure”
Kadariya D, Canada JM, Del Buono MG, van Wezenbeek J, Tchoukina I, Arena R, Van Tassell B, Abbate A.
J Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation 2020 - “Interleukin-1 Blockade Inhibits the Acute Inflammatory Response in Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction” Abbate A, Trankle CR, Buckley LF, Lipinski MJ, Appleton D, Kadariya D, Canada JM, Carbone S, Roberts CS, Abouzaki N, Melchior R, Christopher S, Turlington J, Mueller G, Garnett J, Thomas C, Markley R, Wohlford GF, Puckett L, Medina de Chazal H, Chiabrando JG, Bressi E, Del Buono MG, Schatz A, Vo C, Dixon DL, Biondi-Zoccai GG, Kontos MC, Van Tassell BW.
J American Heart Association 2020 - “Determinants of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Following Thoracic Radiotherapy in Lung or Breast Cancer Survivors” Canada JM, Trankle CR, Carbone S, Buckley LF, Chazal M, Billingsley H, Evans RK, Garten R, Van Tassell BW, Kadariya D, Mauro A, Toldo S, Mezzaroma E, Arena R, Hundley WG, Grizzard JD, Weiss E, Abbate A. American Journal of Cardiology 2020
- “Noninvasive Hemodynamic Monitoring of Cocaine-Induced Changes in Cardiac Output and Systemic Vascular Resistance in Subjects with Chronic Cocaine Use Disorder” Van Tassell BW, Westman P, Trankle C, Johns S, Kadariya D, Buckley L, Carbone S, Abbate A, Moeller FG. J Cardiovascular Pharmacology 2019
- “Determinants of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients with Heart Failure Across a Wide Range of Ejection Fractions” van Wezenbeek J, Canada JM, Ravindra K, Carbone S, Kadariya D, Trankle CR, Wohlford G, Buckley L, Del Buono MG, Billingsley H, Viscusi M, Tchoukina I, Shah KB, Arena R, Van Tassell B, Abbate A.
American Journal Cardiology 2020 - “Association of Anti-Mullerian Hormone with C-Reactive Protein in Men” Kadariya D, Kurbanova N, Qayyum R. Science Rep. 2019
- “Unsaturated Fatty Acids to Improve Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients with Obesity and HFpEF: The UFA-Preserved Pilot Study” Carbone S, Billingsley HE, Canada JM, Kadariya D, Medina de Chazal H, Rotelli B, Potere N, Paudel B, Markley R, Dixon DL, Trankle CR, Van Tassell BW, Celi FS, Abbate A. JACC Basic Translation Sciences 2019
- “Alirocumab in Acute Myocardial Infarction Results From the Virginia Commonwealth University Alirocumab Response Trial (VCU-AlirocRT) Trankle CR, Wohlford G, Buckley LF, Kadariya D, Ravindra K, Markley R, Park TS, Potere N, Van Tassell BW, Abbate A. J Cardiovascular Pharmacology 2019
- “Potential Role for interleukin-1 in the cardio-renal syndrome” Buckley LF, Canada JM, Carbone S, Trankle CR, Kadariya D, Billingsley H, Wohlford GF, Kirkman DL, Abbate A, Van Tassell BW. European Journal Heart Failure 2019
- “C-Reactive Protein and N-Terminal Pro-brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels Correlate With Imparied Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients with Heart Failure Across a Wide Range of Ejection Fraction” van Wezenbeek J, Canada JM, Ravindra K, Carbone S, Trankle CR, Kadariya D, Buckley LF, Del Buono M, Billingsley H, Viscusi M, Wohlford GF, Arena R, Van Tassell B, Abbate A. Front Cardiovascular Medicine 2018
- “Relation of Hepatic Fibrosis in Nonalcohol Fatty Liver Disease to Left Ventricular Diastolic Function and Exercise Tolerance” Canada JM, Abbate A, Collen R, Billingsley H, Buckley LF, Carbone S, Trankle CR, Idowu MO, Kadariya D, Van Tassell B, Sanyal AJ, Siddiqui MS. American Journal Cardiology 2019
- “IL-1 Blockade Reduced Inflammation in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Right Ventricular Failure: A Single-Arm, Open-label, Phase IB/II Pilot Study Trankle CR, Canada JM, Kadariya D, Markley R, De Chazal HM, Pinson J, Fox A, Van Tassell BW, Abbate A, Grinnan D. American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care 2019
- “IL-1 Blockade in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction” Van Tassell BW, Trankle CR, Canada JM, Carbone S, Buckley L, Kadariya D, Del Buono MG, Billingsley H, Wohlford G, Viscusi M, Oddi-Erdle C, Abouzaki NA, Dixon D, Biondi-Zoccai G, Arena R, Abbate A. Circ Heart Failure 2019
- “Interleukin-1 Blockade in Recently Decompensated Systolic Heart Failure: Results From REDHARD (Recently Decompensated Heart Failure Anakinra Response Trial” Van Tassell BW, Canada J, Carbone S, Trankle C, Buckley L, Oddi Erdle C, Abouzaki NA, Dixon D, Kadariya D, Christopher S, Schatz A, Regan J, Viscusi M, Del Buono M, Melchior R, Mankad P, Lu J, Sculthorpe R, Biondi-Zoccai G, Lesnefsky E, Arena R, Abbate A. Circ Heart Failure 2018
Roy, Sumon
- “Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Disease: Focus on the effect of antihyperglycemic treatments on cardiovascular outcomes,” Choxi R, Roy S, Stamatouli A, Mayer SB, Jovin IS. Expert Rev Cardiovascular Therapeutics 2020
- “Racial Variation in the Complexity of Coronary Artery Diseae in Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction” Elbadawi A, Alotaki E, Vazquez C, Barssoum K, Roy S, Shahin HI, Elgendy IY, Depta JP. Cardiovasc Revascularization Med 2019
Tomdio, Anna
- “Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention” Tomdio A, Ritchie M, Miller AC. American Family Physician 2019
- “Comparison of non-invasive to invasive oxygenation ratios for diagnosing acute respiratory distress syndrome following coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a prospective derivation-validation cohort study”
Bashar FR, Vahedian-Azimi A, Farzanegan B, Goharani R, Shojaei S, Hatamian S, Mosavinasab SMM, Khoshfetrat M, Khatir MAK, Tomdio A, Miller AC; MORZAK Collaborative. Journal Cardiothoracic Surgery 2019
Class of 2021
Patel, Jaideep
- “Coronary Artery Calcification, Statin Use and Long-Term Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Events (from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis).“ Rifai MA, Blaha MJ, Patel J, et al. Am J Cardiol. 2020
- “Discordance between 10-year cardiovascular risk estimates using the ACC/AHA 2013 estimator and coronary artery calcium in individuals from 5 racial/ethnic groups: Comparing MASALA and MESA. “
Al Rifai M, Cainzos-Achirica M, Kanaya AM, Kandula NR, Dardardi Z, Joshi PH, Patel J, Budoff M, Yeboah J, Guallar E, Blumenthal RS, Blaha MJ. Atherosclerosis. 2018
- “Basic vs More Complex Definitions of Family History in the Prediction of Coronary Heart Disease: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.“ Patel J, Al Rifai M, Scheuner MT, et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2018
- “Inflammation and coronary artery calcification in South Asians: The Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study.“ Mehta A, Patel J, Al Rifai M, et al. Atherosclerosis. 2018
Pillai, Ajay
- “Use of intravenous cangrelor as antiplatelet bridge therapy in a patient undergoing esophageal dilation.“
Choxi R, Pillai A, Ahmed S, Jovin IS. Cardiovasc Revasc Med. 2020
- “Reduction of radiation and contrast agent exposure in a cryoballoon ablation procedure with integration of electromagnetic mapping and intracardiac echocardiography: a single center experience.“ Maalouf J, Whiteside HL, Pillai A, et al. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2019
- “Deletion of the Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) promotes insulin resistance and adipose tissue inflammation during high fat feeding.“ Benson TW, Weintraub DS, Crowe M, Yiew NKH, Popoola O, Pillai A, Joseph J, Archer K, Greenway C, Chatterjee TK, Mintz J, Stepp DW, Stansfield BK, Chen W, Brittain J, Bogdanov VY, Gao Y, Wilson JG, Tang Y, Kim HW, Weintraub NL. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2018
Schatz, Aaron
- “Interleukin-1 Blockade Inhibits the Acute Inflammatory Response in Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.“ Abbate A, Trankle CR, Buckley LF, Lipinski MJ, Appleton D, Kadariya D, Canada JM, Carbone S, Roberts CS, Abouzaki N, Melchior R, Christopher S, Turlington J, Mueller G, Garnett J, Thomas C, Markley R, Wohlford GF, Puckett L, Medina de Chazal H, Chiabrando JG, Bressi E, Del Buono MG, Schatz A, Vo C, Dixon DL, Biondi-Zoccai GG, Kontos MC, Van Tassell BW. J Am Heart Assoc. 2020
Vo, Chau
- “Interleukin-1 Blockade Inhibits the Acute Inflammatory Response in Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.“ Abbate A, Trankle CR, Buckley LF, Lipinski MJ, Appleton D, Kadariya D, Canada JM, Carbone S, Roberts CS, Abouzaki N, Melchior R, Christopher S, Turlington J, Mueller G, Garnett J, Thomas C, Markley R, Wohlford GF, Puckett L, Medina de Chazal H, Chiabrando JG, Bressi E, Del Buono MG, Schatz A, Vo C, Dixon DL, Biondi-Zoccai GG, Kontos MC, Van Tassell BW. J Am Heart Assoc. 2020
- “Clopidogrel Responsiveness in Patients With Decompensated Cirrhosis of the Liver Undergoing Pre-Transplant PCI.“ Trankle CR, Vo C, Martin E, et al. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2020
- “Effects of empagliflozin on cardiorespiratory fitness and significant interaction of loop diuretics.“
Carbone S, Canada JM, Billingsley HE, Kadariya D, Dixon DL, Trankle CR, Buckley LF, Markley R, Vo C, Medina de Chazal H, Christopher S, Buzzetti R, Van Tassell BW, Abbate A. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2018
Class of 2020
Mankad, Pranav
- “Persistent Proarrhythmic Neural Remodeling Despite Recovery From Premature Ventricular Contraction-Induced Cardiomyopathy.” Alex Y. Tan; Khalid Elharrif; Ricardo Cardona-Guarache; Pranav Mankad; Owen Ayers; Martha Joslyn; Anindita Das; Karoly Kaszala; Shien-Fong Lin; Kenneth A. Ellenbogen; Anthony J. Minisi; Jose F. Huizar. JACC January, 2020.
- “Resolution of right bundle branch block after a premature ventricular beat: What is the mechanism?”
Hillyard, J., Mankad, P., Ellenbogen, K. A., & Padala, S. K. HeartRhythm case reports, 2019. - “Cardiac Sarcoidosis” Mankad P, Mitchell B, Birnie D, Kron J. Curr Cardiol Rep. 2019
- “Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Risks and Benefits” Pranav Mankad MD, Gautham Kalahasty MD Medical Clinics of North America 2019.
- "Interleukin-1 Blockade in Recently Decompensated Systolic Heart Failure: Results From REDHART (Recently Decompensated Heart Failure Anakinra Response Trial" Benjamin W. Van Tassell, PharmD, Justin Canada, MS, Salvatore Carbone, MS, Cory Trankle, MD, Leo Buckley, PharmD, Claudia Oddi Erdle, BSN, Nayef A. Abouzaki, MD, Dave Dixon, PharmD, Dinesh Kadariya, MD, Sanah Christopher, MD, Aaron Schatz, MD, Jessica Regan, MD, Michele Viscusi, MD, Marco Del Buono, MD, Ryan Melchior, MD, Pranav Mankad, MD, Juan Lu, PhD, Robin Sculthorpe, RPh, Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai, MD, Edward Lesnefsky, MD, Ross Arena, PhD and Antonio Abbate, MD, PhD. Circulation Heart Failure 2017
- "Severely Impaired Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients With Recently Decompensated Systolic Heart Failure" Justin McNair Canada, MS, Cory Ross Trankle, MD, Leo Francis Buckley, PharmD, Salvatore Carbone, MS, Nayef Antar Abouzaki, MD, Dinesh Kadariya, MD, Keyur Shah, MD, Richard Cooke, MD, Michael Christopher Kontos, MD, Jaideep Patel, MD, Pranav Mankad, MD, Aaron Schatz, MD, Amit Bhatnagar, MD, Ross Arena, PhD, Benjamin Wallace Van Tassell, PharmD, and Antonio Abbate, MD, PhD.
American Journal of Cardiology, 2017.
Sangal, Kunal
- “Intravenous Fluid-Therapy is Associated with a Reduced Incidence of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy but not with a Reduced Long-Term Incidence of Renal Dysfunction After Cardiac Catheterization” Bottinor W, Chawla R, Danyi P, Patel K, Turlington J, Sangal K, Hong W, Perera RA, Jovin IS. Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine 2020
- “Comparison of outcomes with surgical cut-down versus percutaneous transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement: TAVR transfemoral access comparisons between surgical cut-down and percutaneous approach” Drafts BC, Sangal K, Cammarata MW, Applegate RJ, Gandhi SK, Kincaid EH, Kon N, Zhao DX.
Catheter Cardiovascular Interventions 2018
Teigeler, Todd
- “Electrocardiographic changes in loperamide toxicity: Case report and review of literature.” Teigeler, T, Stahura, H, Alimohammad, R, et al. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiol. 2019.
- “The Right-Sided ECG for the Right Diagnosis.” Todd L. Teigeler, MD, Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, MD, Santosh K. Padala, MD. Circulation 2018.
Class of 2019
Buto-Colletti, Cassandra
- "Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal strain predicts heart failure readmission in acute decompensated heart failure” Romano S, Mansour IN, Kansal M, Gheith H, Dowdy Z, Dickens CA, Buto-Colletti C, Chae JM, Saleh HH, Stamos TD Cardiovascular Ultrasound 2017.
Chau, Vinh (John)
- “Osteopontin in HFpEF: More Than Just a Remodeling-Specific Biomarker.“ Salloum FN, Chau VQ. J American College Cardiology 2019
- “Sacubitril/Valsartan Averts Adverse Post-Infarction Ventricular Remodeling and Preserves Systolic Function in Rabbits.“ Torrado J, Cain C, Mauro AG, Romeo F, Ockaili R, Chau VQ, Nestler JA, Devarakonda T, Ghosh S, Das A, Salloum FN. J American College Cardiology 2018
Gunda, Sampath
- “Consequences of chronic frequent premature atrial contractions: Association with cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac structural changes.“ Gunda S, Akyeampong D, Gomez-Arroyo J, Jovin DG, Kowlgi NG, Kaszala K, Tan AY, Koneru JN, Kron J, Ellenbogen KA, Huizar JF. J Cardiovascular Electrophysiology 2019
- “Risk score model for predicting complications in patients undergoing ventricular tachycardia ablation: insights from the National Inpatient Sample database.“ Gunda S, Padala SK, Saini A, Kang L, Ellenbogen KA, Koneru JN.
Europace 2019.
- “Predictors of 30-day readmissions after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in the USA.“ Garg J, Patel B, Chaudhary R, Shah M, Gupta R, Gunda S, Padala SK, Ellenbogen KA. J Interventional Cardiology and Electrophysiology 2019.
- “A risk score model for predicting intraprocedural cardiac injury during implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation: Insights from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry.“ Padala SK, Gunda S, Li S, Sharma PS, Koneru JN, Varosy PD, Ellenbogen KA. J Cardiovascular Electrophysiology 2019.
- “Mechanical function of the left atrium is improved with epicardial ligation of the left atrial appendage: Insights from the LAFIT-LARIAT Registry.“ Dar T, Afzal MR, Yarlagadda B, Kutty S, Shang Q, Gunda S, Samanta A, Thummaluru J, Arukala KS, Kanmanthareddy A, Reddy M, Atkins D, Bommana S, Dawn B, Lakkireddy D. Heart Rhythm. 2018
- “Thirty-day readmissions after cardiac implantable electronic devices in the United States: Insights from the Nationwide Readmissions Database.“ Patel B, Sablani N, Garg J, Chaudhary R, Shah M, Gupta R, Nazir T, Bozorgnia B, Padala SK, Gunda S, Ellenbogen KA. Heart Rhythm 2018
- “Multicenter Evaluation of Octreotide as Secondary Prophylaxis in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Devices and Gastrointestinal Bleeding.“ Shah KB, Gunda S, Emani S, Kanwar MK, Uriel N, Colombo PC, Uber PA, Sears ML, Chuang J, Farrar DJ, Brophy DF, Smallfield GB. Circulation Heart Failure 2017.
- “Risk model for predicting complications in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation.“ Padala SK, Gunda S, Sharma PS, Kang L, Koneru JN, Ellenbogen KA. Heart Rhythm 2017.
- “Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device-Related Infection and Extraction Trends in the U.S.“ Sridhar AR, Lavu M, Yarlagadda V, Reddy M, Gunda S, Afzal R, Atkins D, Gopinathanair R, Dawn B, Lakkireddy DR. Pacing AND Clinical Electrophysiology 2017.
- “Lung Injury Prediction Score in Hospitalized Patients at Risk of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.“ Soto GJ, Kor DJ, Park PK, Hou PC, Kaufman DA, Kim M, Yadav H, Teman N, Hsu MC, Shvilkina T, Grewal Y, De Aguirre M, Gunda S, Gajic O, Gong MN. Critical Care Medicine 2016.
- “Factors Influencing Diaphragmatic Compound Motor Action Potentials During Cryoballoon Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.“ Sharma PS, Padala SK, Thompson JJ, Gunda S, Koneru JN, Ellenbogen KA. J Cardiovascular Electrophysiology 2016.
- “Vascular Complications During Catheter Ablation of Cardiac Arrhythmias: A Comparison Between Vascular Ultrasound Guided Access and Conventional Vascular Access.“ Sharma PS, Padala SK, Gunda S, Koneru JN, Ellenbogen KA. J Cardiovascular Electrophysiology 2016.
Kowgli, Guru
- “The Impact of Coronary Artery Disease and Statins on Survival After Liver Transplantation.” Patel SS, Rodriguez VA, Siddiqui MB, Faridnia M, Lin FP, Chandrakumaran A, Laurenzano J, Clinton J, Kowlgi GN, Kirkman D, Sima AP, Liptrap E, Bhati C, Siddiqui MS. Liver Transplantation 2019.
- “Consequences of chronic frequent premature atrial contractions: Association with cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac structural changes.“Gunda S, Akyeampong D, Gomez-Arroyo J, Jovin DG, Kowlgi NG, Kaszala K, Tan AY, Koneru JN, Kron J, Ellenbogen KA, Huizar JF. J Cardiovascular Electrophysiology 2019
- “Device longevity: Making sense of the Tower of Babel.” Kowlgi GN, Ellenbogen KA. Heart Rhythm 2018.
- “Post-extrasystolic potentiation as a predictor of premature ventricular contraction-cardiomyopathy in an animal model.” Kowlgi GN, Ramirez RJ, Kaszala K, Joslyn M, Koneru JN, Ellenbogen KA, Tan AY, Huizar JF.
Europace. 2020
Pozen, Jonah
- “Recent Updates on the Use of PCSK9 Inhibitors in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease”
Dixon DL, Pamulapati LG, Bucheit JD, Sisson EM, Smith SR, Kim CJ, Wohlford GF, Pozen J. Current Atherosclerosis Reports 2019. - “New Right Bundle Branch Block as a Criterion for Emergent Coronary Angiography” Pozen J, Mankad AK, Owens JT, Jovin IS. North American J Medical Sciences 2015.
Trankle, Cory
- “Off-label Use of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Compared with Warfarin for Left Ventricular Thrombi” Robinson AA, Trankle CR, Eubanks G, Schumann C, Thompson P, Wallace RL, Gottiparthi S, Ruth B, Kramer CM, Salerno M, Bilchick KC, Deen C, Kontos MC, Dent J. JAMA Cardiol. 2020.
- “Increased C-reactive protein is associated with the severity of thoracic radiotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy.” Canada JM, Thomas GK, Trankle CR, Carbone S, Billingsley H, Van Tassell BW, Evans RK, Garten R, Weiss E, Abbate A. Cardiooncology. 2020
- “Interleukin-1 Blockade Inhibits the Acute Inflammatory Response in Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.” Abbate A, Trankle CR, Buckley LF, Lipinski MJ, Appleton D, Kadariya D, Canada JM, Carbone S, Roberts CS, Abouzaki N, Melchior R, Christopher S, Turlington J, Mueller G, Garnett J, Thomas C, Markley R, Wohlford GF, Puckett L, Medina de Chazal H, Chiabrando JG, Bressi E, Del Buono MG, Schatz A, Vo C, Dixon DL, Biondi-Zoccai GG, Kontos MC, Van Tassell BW. J Am Heart Assoc. 2020.
- “Vitamin C Intravenous Treatment In the Setting of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Results From the Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled CITRIS-AF Pilot Study.” Trankle CR, Puckett L, Swift-Scanlan T, DeWilde C, Priday A, Sculthorpe R, Ellenbogen KA, Fowler A, Koneru JN. J Am Heart Assoc. 2020
- “Determinants of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Following Thoracic Radiotherapy in Lung or Breast Cancer Survivors.” Canada JM, Trankle CR, Carbone S, Buckley LF, Chazal M, Billingsley H, Evans RK, Garten R, Van Tassell BW, Kadariya D, Mauro A, Toldo S, Mezzaroma E, Arena R, Hundley WG, Grizzard JD, Weiss E, Abbate A. Am J Cardiol. 2020
- “Clopidogrel Responsiveness in Patients With Decompensated Cirrhosis of the Liver Undergoing Pre-Transplant PCI.” Trankle CR, Vo C, Martin E, Puckett L, Siddiqui MS, Brophy DF, Stravitz T, Guzman LA.
JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2020 - “Noninvasive Hemodynamic Monitoring of Cocaine-Induced Changes in Cardiac Output and Systemic Vascular Resistance in Subjects With Chronic Cocaine Use Disorder.” Van Tassell BW, Westman P, Trankle C, Johns S, Kadariya D, Buckley L, Carbone S, Abbate A, Moeller FG. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2019
- “Determinants of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients with Heart Failure Across a Wide Range of Ejection Fractions.” van Wezenbeek J, Canada JM, Ravindra K, Carbone S, Kadariya D, Trankle CR, Wohlford G, Buckley L, Del Buono MG, Billingsley H, Viscusi M, Tchoukina I, Shah KB, Arena R, Van Tassell B, Abbate A.
Am J Cardiol. 2020 - “Unsaturated Fatty Acids to Improve Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients With Obesity and HFpEF: The UFA-Preserved Pilot Study.” Carbone S, Billingsley HE, Canada JM, Kadariya D, Medina de Chazal H, Rotelli B, Potere N, Paudel B, Markley R, Dixon DL, Trankle CR, Van Tassell BW, Celi FS, Abbate A. JACC Basic Transl Sci. 2019
- “Alirocumab in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Results From the Virginia Commonwealth University Alirocumab Response Trial (VCU-AlirocRT).” Trankle CR, Wohlford G, Buckley LF, Kadariya D, Ravindra K, Markley R, Park TS, Potere N, Van Tassell BW, Abbate A. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2019
- “Metabolic modulation predicts heart failure tests performance.” Contaifer D Jr, Buckley LF, Wohlford G, Kumar NG, Morriss JM, Ranasinghe AD, Carbone S, Canada JM, Trankle C, Abbate A, Van Tassell BW, Wijesinghe DS. PLoS One. 2019
- “Left Ventricular Assist Device Outflow Graft Compression: Incidence, Clinical Associations and Potential Etiologies.” Trankle CR, Grizzard JD, Shah KB, Rezai Gharai L, Dana F, Kang MS, Andreae AE, Desai K, Quader MA, Gertz ZM. J Card Fail. 2019
- “Drug repositioning in pulmonary arterial hypertension: challenges and opportunities.” Grinnan D, Trankle C, Andruska A, Bloom B, Spiekerkoetter E. Pulm Circ. 2019
- “Potential role for interleukin-1 in the cardio-renal syndrome.” Buckley LF, Canada JM, Carbone S, Trankle CR, Kadariya D, Billingsley H, Wohlford GF, Kirkman DL, Abbate A, Van Tassell BW. Eur J Heart Fail. 2019
- “C-Reactive Protein and N-Terminal Pro-brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels Correlate With Impaired Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients With Heart Failure Across a Wide Range of Ejection Fraction.”
van Wezenbeek J, Canada JM, Ravindra K, Carbone S, Trankle CR, Kadariya D, Buckley LF, Del Buono M, Billingsley H, Viscusi M, Wohlford GF, Arena R, Van Tassell B, Abbate A. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2018 - “Relation of Hepatic Fibrosis in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease to Left Ventricular Diastolic Function and Exercise Tolerance.” Canada JM, Abbate A, Collen R, Billingsley H, Buckley LF, Carbone S, Trankle CR, Idowu MO, Kadariya D, Van Tassell B, Sanyal AJ, Siddiqui MS. Am J Cardiol. 2019
- “IL-1 Blockade Reduces Inflammation in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Right Ventricular Failure: A Single-Arm, Open-Label, Phase IB/II Pilot Study.” Trankle CR, Canada JM, Kadariya D, Markley R, De Chazal HM, Pinson J, Fox A, Van Tassell BW, Abbate A, Grinnan D. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019
- “IL-1 Blockade in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.” Van Tassell BW, Trankle CR, Canada JM, Carbone S, Buckley L, Kadariya D, Del Buono MG, Billingsley H, Wohlford G, Viscusi M, Oddi-Erdle C, Abouzaki NA, Dixon D, Biondi-Zoccai G, Arena R, Abbate A. Circ Heart Fail. 2018
- “Usefulness of Canakinumab to Improve Exercise Capacity in Patients With Long-Term Systolic Heart Failure and Elevated C-Reactive Protein.” Trankle CR, Canada JM, Cei L, Abouzaki N, Oddi-Erdle C, Kadariya D, Christopher S, Viscusi M, Del Buono M, Kontos MC, Arena R, Van Tassell B, Abbate A. Am J Cardiol. 2018
- “Dietary Fat, Sugar Consumption, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.” Carbone S, Canada JM, Buckley LF, Trankle CR, Billingsley HE, Dixon DL, Mauro AG, Dessie S, Kadariya D, Mezzaroma E, Buzzetti R, Arena R, Van Tassell BW, Toldo S, Abbate A.
JACC Basic Transl Sci. 2017 - “Rationale and design of the Virginia Commonwealth University-Anakinra Remodeling Trial-3 (VCU-ART3): A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, multicenter study.” Van Tassell BW, Lipinski MJ, Appleton D, Roberts CS, Kontos MC, Abouzaki N, Melchior R, Mueller G, Garnett J, Canada J, Carbone S, Buckley LF, Wohlford G, Kadariya D, Trankle CR, Oddi Erdle C, Sculthorpe R, Puckett L, DeWilde C, Shah K, Angiolillo DJ, Vetrovec G, Biondi-Zoccai G, Arena R, Abbate A. Clin Cardiol. 2018
- “Severe tricuspid regurgitation due to interactions with right ventricular permanent pacemaker or defibrillator leads.” Trankle CR, Gertz ZM, Koneru JN, Kasirajan V, Nicolato P, Bhardwaj HL, Ellenbogen KA, Kalahasty G. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2018
- “Effect of Interleukin-1 Blockade on Left Ventricular Systolic Performance and Work: A Post Hoc Pooled Analysis of 2 Clinical Trials.” Buckley LF, Carbone S, Trankle CR, Canada JM, Erdle CO, Regan JA, Viscusi MM, Kadariya D, Billingsley H, Arena R, Abbate A, Van Tassell BW. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2018
- “Internal Versus External Compression of a Left Ventricular Assist Device Outflow Graft: Diagnosis With Intravascular Ultrasound and Treatment With Stenting.” Trankle CR, Quader MA, Grizzard JD, Tang DG, Shah KB, Paris K, Shepard CK, Gertz ZM. Circ Heart Fail. 2018
- “Inhibiting the Inflammatory Injury After Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion With Plasma-Derived Alpha-1 Antitrypsin: A Post Hoc Analysis of the VCU-α1RT Study.” Abouzaki NA, Christopher S, Trankle C, Van Tassell BW, Carbone S, Mauro AG, Buckley L, Toldo S, Abbate A. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2018
- “Effects of empagliflozin on cardiorespiratory fitness and significant interaction of loop diuretics.” Carbone S, Canada JM, Billingsley HE, Kadariya D, Dixon DL, Trankle CR, Buckley LF, Markley R, Vo C, Medina de Chazal H, Christopher S, Buzzetti R, Van Tassell BW, Abbate A. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2018
- “Low NT-proBNP levels in overweight and obese patients do not rule out a diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.” Buckley LF, Canada JM, Del Buono MG, Carbone S, Trankle CR, Billingsley H, Kadariya D, Arena R, Van Tassell BW, Abbate A. ESC Heart Fail. 2018
- “Interleukin-1 Blockade in Recently Decompensated Systolic Heart Failure: Results From REDHART (Recently Decompensated Heart Failure Anakinra Response Trial).” Van Tassell BW, Canada J, Carbone S, Trankle C, Buckley L, Oddi Erdle C, Abouzaki NA, Dixon D, Kadariya D, Christopher S, Schatz A, Regan J, Viscusi M, Del Buono M, Melchior R, Mankad P, Lu J, Sculthorpe R, Biondi-Zoccai G, Lesnefsky E, Arena R, Abbate A.
Circ Heart Fail. 2017 - “Hypoxemia Due to Patent Foramen Ovale in the Setting of New Right Hemidiaphragmatic Paralysis.”
Trankle CR, Bhardwaj HL, Paulsen WHJ, Grizzard JD, Shah RD, Gertz ZM. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2017 - “Severely Impaired Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients With Recently Decompensated Systolic Heart Failure.” Canada JM, Trankle CR, Buckley LF, Carbone S, Abouzaki NA, Kadariya D, Shah K, Cooke R, Kontos MC, Patel J, Mankad P, Schatz A, Bhatnagar A, Arena R, Van Tassell BW, Abbate A. Am J Cardiol. 2017
- “Impaired myocardial relaxation with exercise determines peak aerobic exercise capacity in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.” Trankle C, Canada JM, Buckley L, Carbone S, Dixon D, Arena R, Van Tassell B, Abbate A. ESC Heart Fail. 2017
- “Clinical utility of evolocumab in the management of hyperlipidemia: patient selection and follow-up.”
Dixon DL, Buckley LF, Trankle CR, Kadariya D, Abbate A. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2017 - “Interleukin-1 blockade in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: rationale and design of the Diastolic Heart Failure Anakinra Response Trial 2 (D-HART2).” Van Tassell BW, Buckley LF, Carbone S, Trankle CR, Canada JM, Dixon DL, Abouzaki N, Oddi-Erdle C, Biondi-Zoccai G, Arena R, Abbate A. Clin Cardiol. 2017
- “Obesity Contributes to Exercise Intolerance in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.” Carbone S, Canada JM, Buckley LF, Trankle CR, Dixon DL, Buzzetti R, Arena R, Van Tassell BW, Abbate A. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2016
- “Mitochondrial Membrane Permeability Inhibitors in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Still Awaiting Translation.”
Trankle C, Thurber CJ, Toldo S, Abbate A. JACC Basic Transl Sci. 2016 - “A review of PCSK9 inhibition and its effects beyond LDL receptors.” Dixon DL, Trankle C, Buckley L, Parod E, Carbone S, Van Tassell BW, Abbate A. J Clin Lipidol. 2016
- “Resolution of pericardial constriction with Anakinra in a patient with effusive-constrictive pericarditis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis.” Schatz A, Trankle C, Yassen A, Chipko C, Rajab M, Abouzaki N, Abbate A. Int J Cardiol. 2016.
- “Autonomic instability and asystole: Broadening the differential diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias.” Chawla R, Zukas AM, Pitcher JH, Trankle C, Brath L, Abbate A. Int J Cardiol. 2016
- “Interleukin-1 Blockade in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study.” Van Tassell BW, Abouzaki NA, Oddi Erdle C, Carbone S, Trankle CR, Melchior RD, Turlington JS, Thurber CJ, Christopher S, Dixon DL, Fronk DT, Thomas CS, Rose SW, Buckley LF, Dinarello CA, Biondi-Zoccai G, Abbate A. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2016
- “Usefulness of C-Reactive Protein Plasma Levels to Predict Exercise Intolerance in Patients With Chronic Systolic Heart Failure.” Canada JM, Fronk DT, Cei LF, Carbone S, Erdle CO, Abouzaki NA, Melchior RD, Thomas CS, Christopher S, Turlington JS, Trankle CR, Thurber CJ, Evans RK, Dixon DL, Van Tassell BW, Arena R, Abbate A. Am J Cardiol. 2016
- “Comparative safety of interleukin-1 blockade with anakinra in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (from the VCU-ART and VCU-ART2 pilot studies).” Abbate A, Kontos MC, Abouzaki NA, Melchior RD, Thomas C, Van Tassell BW, Oddi C, Carbone S, Trankle CR, Roberts CS, Mueller GH, Gambill ML, Christopher S, Markley R, Vetrovec GW, Dinarello CA, Biondi-Zoccai G. Am J Cardiol. 2015
Life During Fellowship
Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship
Vacation
All fellows receive a total of 4 weeks vacation, taken in 1-2 week blocks and 1 week during Christmas or New Years.
Night Float
Integrated into the weekly rotation schedule.
Weekend Coverage
Integrated into weekly rotation schedule.
GME Resident & Fellow Well-Being
Graduate Medical Education training is not easy. With the GME Physician Well-being program, we first and foremost assert our commitment to your well-being, resilience and all aspects of a healthy lifestyle. VCU and VCU Health are dedicated to ensuring that you have the tools you need to be your best. (Learn more)
All About VCU, VCU Health, and RVA
First things first. We fondly refer to Richmond as RVA. People love this city because it’s awesome. And Virginia Commonwealth University is in the middle of it all. Learn more about VCU, VCU Health, and RVA!
Program Leadership
Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship
Gautham Kalahasty, MD
Program Director
Gautham Kalahasty, MD
Program Director
Internal Medicine
Division of Cardiology
W. Gregory (Greg) Hundley, MD
Division Chief
W. Gregory (Greg) Hundley, MD
Division Chief
Internal Medicine
Division of Cardiology
Email: greg.hundley@vcuhealth.org
Faculty
Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship
VCU
- Hem L. Bhardwaj, MD
- Wendy Bottinor, MD
- Richard Cooke, MD
- Kenneth Ellenbogen, MD
- Zachary M. Gertz, MD
- William Gregory Hundley, MD - Director: Pauley Heart Center & Division Chief
- Gautham Kalahasty, MD - Fellowship Program Director
- Jayanthi N. Koneru, MD
- Michael C. Kontos, MD
- Jordana Kron, MD
- Barbara D. Lawson, MD
- Michael Lenhart, MD
- Anit Mankad, MD
- Roshanak R. Markley, MD
- Naveed A. Naz, MD
- Santosh K. Padala, MD
- Walter Paulsen, MD
- Mary A. Peberdy, MD
- Krishnasree K. Rao, MD
- Keyur Shah, MD
- Sangeeta Shah, MD
- Richard K. Shepard, MD
- Melissa C. Smallfield, MD
- Inna F. Tchoukina, MD
- Deepak P. Thomas, MD, MPhil
- Jeremy Turlington, MD
VAMC
- Nayef Abouzaki, MD
- Jose F. Huizar, MD
- Ion Jovin, MD, ScD
- Karoly Kaszala, MD, PhD
- Edward J. Lesnefsky, MD
- Neil Lewis, MD
- Johnathon Potfay, MD
- Jonah Pozen, MD - VAMC
- Andreas Prinz, MD
- Alex Tan, MD
Fellows
Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship
Class of 2027
Raziye Ecem Akdogan, MD
Medical School: Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical School
Residency: University of Connecticut
Nichole Brunton, DO
Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Danbury Hospital – Yale School of Medicine
Matthew G. Kaye, MD
Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, SUNY
Residency: University at Buffalo, SUNY
Arun Umesh Mahtani, MD, MS
Medical School: JSS Medical College, Mysore, KA, India
Residency: Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island, NY
Catherine D. Nguyen, DO
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic of Medicine
Residency: Lehigh Valley Health Network
Faizal Ouedraogo, MD
Medical School: L’Unite de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Sante (UFR/SDS)
Residency: University of Maryland Capital Region Health
Class of 2026
Reid Alley, MD
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
David Gachoka, MD
Medical School: University of Illinois Peoria, IL
Residency: University of Toledo, OH
Gowtham Rama Harsha Grandhi, MBBS, MPH
Medical School: Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India
Residency: MedStar Health Internal Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Angkawipa “Sept” Trongtorsak, MD
Medical School: Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Residency: Ascension Saint Francis Hospital
Xiaobo Xu, MB
Medical School: Binzhou Medical College
Residency: Jacobi Medical Center - Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Harika Yadav, MBBS
Medical School: Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum, India
Residency: University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga
.jpg)
Pamela Lamisi Alebna, MD, MPH - T32 Fellow
Medical School: University of Ghana Medical School
Residency: Rutgers Health, Jersey City Medical Center
Fellowship: Cardiology
Aditi G.M. Patel, MD, PhD, MPH - T32 Fellow
Medical School: University of Florida
Residency: University of Florida
Class of 2025
Kelli Fox, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL
Residency: OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, OH
Vaishnavi Gadela, MBBS
Medical School: Mediciti Institute of Medical Sciences, India
Residency: University of Connecticut
Taeshik Park, MD, MS
Medical School: Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, The Republic of Korea
Residency: Weiss Memorial Hospital-University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
Swetha Pasala, MD, MS
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Residency: Inova Fairfax Hospital
Gaurang Prabhu, MD
Medical School: Avalon University School of Medicine
Residency: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Rafae Shaikh, MBBS
Medical School: Barts & The London, University of London
Residency: University of Connecticut
Pouria Shoureshi, MD - T32
Medical School: Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS)- Isfahan- Iran
Residency: Orange Park Medical Center (OPMC)- Orange Park- Florida
Class of 2024
Sergei Airapetov, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Suraj Dahal, MBBS – T32 Track
Medical School: Manipal College of Medical Sciences (MCOMS), Nepal
Residency: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (VAMC)
Fellowship: Lundquist Institute at Harbor - UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA
Jeffrey Kolominsky, MD
Medical School: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Faculty of Health Sciences, Israel
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Pengyang Li, MD, MS
Medical School: Peking University Health Science Center, China
Residency: Saint Vincent Hospital-Worcester, MA
Amr Marawan, MD
Medical School: Ain Shams University Faculty of Medicine, Egypt
Residency: University of Tennessee College of Medicine at Chattanooga, TN
Suraj Mishra, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Residency: Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
Rahul Myadam, MBBS
Medical School: Osmania Medical College, India
Residency: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO
Alumni
Class of 2023
Abhishek Chaturvedi, MBBS
Medical School: Pt. B. D. Sharma Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, India
Residency: Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
David Chuquin, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Kunal Kapoor, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Residency: University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital
Yuxuan Mao, MD, MS
Medical School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Residency: East Carolina University / Vidant Medical Center
Brian K. Mitchell, MD
Medical School: University of Mississippi Medical Center
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Usman Ghani Piracha, MBBS
Medical School: King Edward Medical University, Pakistan
Residency: St Luke’s Hospital, Chesterfield MO
Class of 2022
Rajiv Kabadi, MD, MS
Medical School: New York Medical College
Residency: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Dinesh Kadariya, MBBS
Medical School: Nalanda Medical College
Residency: Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Joseph Nicolazzi, DO
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Carolinas Campus
Residency: Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Sumon Roy, MA, MD
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine
Residency: Rochester General Hospital
Anna Tomdio, MD
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Residency: Vidant Medical Center/East Carolina University
Xin Wei, MBBS
Medical School: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Residency: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Class of 2021
Amar Doshi, MD
Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine - WF Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC
Residency: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Ajay Pillai, MD
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA
Residency: Augusta University Medical Center, Augusta GA
Jaideep Patel, MD
Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine, Antigua and Barbuda
Residency: Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center – University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
Aaron Schatz, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Residency: VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Zachary Tushak, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA
Residency: University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT
Chau Vo, MD
Medical School: University of Central Florida College of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City Viet Nam
Residency: VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Class of 2020
Justin Heizer, MD
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
Residency: Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine, Charleston, SC
Arehzo Jahangiri, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Residency: VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Pranav Mankad, MD
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
Residency: VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Kunal Sangal, MD
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine, Boston MA
Residency: Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Chief Resident: Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
April Shewmake, DO
Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines, IA
Residency: University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA
Todd Teigeler, MD
Medical School: VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Residency: Brown University, Providence, RI
Class of 2019
Cassandra Buto-Colletti, DO
Medical School: Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine, Henderson, NV
Residency: University of Illinois at Chicago
Post-Fellowship: Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology Fellowship, VCU
Vinh Chau, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Post-Fellowship: Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology Fellowship, Mount Sinai, New York
Sampath Gunda, MBBS
Medical School: Osmania Medical College, IND, India
Residency: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Post-Fellowship: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Narayan “Guru” Kowlgi, MBBS
Medical School: Maulana Azad Medical College
Residency: University of Connecticut/Internal Medicine (Categorical)
Chief Resident: University of Connecticut/Internal Medicine (Categorical)
Post-Fellowship: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Jonah Pozen, MD
Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, NJ
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Post-Fellowship: Faculty at VCU Health and VA McGuire, Richmond, VA
Cory Trankle, MD
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Post Fellowship: Cardiac Imaging (MRI, echocardiography) and Research, VCU, Richmond, VA
Class of 2018
Sanah Christopher, MD
Medical School: The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA
Post-Fellowship: Interventional Cardiology fellowship, VCU
Jonathan Isaac, MD
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Residency: University of Mississippi Medical Center Program, Jackson, MS
Post-Fellowship: Private practice at Vancouver Clinic, Seattle, Washington
Vivak Master, MD
Medical School: Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University
Residency: University of Louisville Program
Post-Fellowship: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship, VCU
Michael P. O’Quinn, MD, PhD
Medical School: University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
PhD: University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Post-Fellowship: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC
Mohammad Rajab, MD
Medical School: Kursk State Medical University
Residency: Tufts Medical Center
Post-Fellowship: Interventional Cardiology fellowship, VCU
Vikram Raje, DO
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Post-Fellowship: Advanced Heart Failure Fellowship, Baylor School of Medicine, Dallas, TX
Edward Sawey, MD
Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Residency: University of North Carolina Hospitals
Post-Fellowship: Advanced Heart Failure Fellowship, VCU
Class of 2017
Ricardo Cardona Guarache, MD
Medical School: Universdad Central de Venezuela Escuela de Medicina Luis Razetti, Venezuela
Residency: Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
Post-Fellowship: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship, University of
California San Francisco, CA
Imran S. Farooq, MD
Medical School: Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha
Residency: Chief Resident | VCU, Richmond, Virginia
Post-Fellowship: Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
John Troy Owens, DO
Medical School: Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Post-Fellowship: Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, VCU
Dhavalkumar Patel, MD
Medical School: Medical College Baroda, India
Residency: Georgetown University Hospital/Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C.
Post-Fellowship: Private practice, South Carolina
Ali Yassen, MB, ChB
Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland School of Medicine, Ireland
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Post-Fellowship: Int. Cardiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, NH
Class of 2016
Nayef Abouzaki, MD
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
Post-Fellowship: Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, VCU
Ryan Melchior, MD
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
Post-Fellowship: Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, VCU
Harsimran Saini, MD
Residency: Boston University Medical Center
Post-Fellowship: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship, VCU
Christopher Thomas, MD
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
Jeremy Turlington, MD
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
Post-Fellowship: Critical Care Fellowship, VCU
Apply
Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship
Eligibility Requirements
A major aim of the Cardiology fellowship is to offer comprehensive training that will prepare fellows for careers in either academic medicine or clinical practice.
We typically have six first year positions to fill; we interview upwards of 50 applicants for the six positions. As you are probably aware, fellowship programs are extremely competitive. The number of applicants is increasing each year. To help guide your decision in applying. Here are some of our requirements:
1. Fellows must have U.S. citizenship or a permanent or J1 Visa. YOU MUST POSSESS YOUR PERMANENT OR J-1 VISA AT THE TIME OF YOUR FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION. H-1 Visa will NOT be considered.
2. Graduates of foreign (not U.S. or Canadian) medical schools should have three years of residency in internal medicine in the primary hospital of a university medical school in the U.S. or Canada. We cannot consider candidates without residency in a university hospital.
3. Personal statements should provide background information about you. We are interested in knowing why you have chosen Cardiology and what you plan to do after fellowship. We would also like to know what special interests you have during fellowship so we can include appropriate faculty among your interviews.
4. We judge you most heavily on what is comparable to other members of your cohort, e.g.:
- Class standing in medical school.
- Scores on USMLE examinations.
- The quality of your residency program.
- Research productivity.
- Letters of recommendation are required. Please ask letter writers to objectively compare your work with that of your peers. The letter from the Chairman or Director of your residency program should summarize the scores of the latest evaluations of your work by the residency evaluation group, or in some way show where you stand among your peers.
How To Apply
All applications to the Cardiology Fellowship Program should go through ERAS. The timeline for application for medical subspecialty fellowships has been modified. This will leave very little time for completion of applications, review of applications, and selection of applicants for interviews.
Any interested applicants are urged to start their application process early. Requests for USMLE reports, reference letters, and other supporting documentation should be ready for submission on June 7 when you receive your applicant number from ERAS. We would recommend to applicants that they have all of the information required for the ERAS application form ready for submission on June 7. When reference letters are requested, we recommend that faculty members be notified that their letters should be ready for submission to ERAS on June 7, if possible.
Required Documentation
All applicants must apply through ERAS and register with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Along with your application, we require several documents that ERAS does not scan.
They are:
- a copy of Virginia medical license (if you have one);
- ECFMG certificate;
- copy of your J1 or green card;
- medical school diploma (and translation where applicable); and a fourth reference letter.
- Social Security number/card.
Our ideal candidate has completed three years of Residency in Internal Medicine in a university hospital.
*** The majority of the documents described in “Required Documents” are required by ERAS. However, ERAS will not scan several of the documents that we require, i.e. social security card, copy of Virginia medical license (if you have one), ECFMG certificate; copy of your J1 or green card; medical school diploma (and translation where applicable). Mail all documents to (if selected for fellowship):
VCU School of Medicine
Dept of Internal Medicine
Box 980509
Richmond, VA 23298-0509
Phone: (804) 828-9726
Email: imfellowships@vcuhealth.org
Application Timeline
We plan on interviewing applicants on Thursdays during August through November. We will begin to review applications on July 15 and priority will be given to applications that are complete. Our deadline for applications will be August 1.
Interview Information
Interview Days will be approximately 07:30 am to 4:00 pm. This will include Cardiology Conference, a meet and greet and program overview, interviews with five faculty members and current fellows, lunch and a tour by current fellows and a wrap up with the Program Director.
Attention: In support of our applicants, we will be flexible in providing virtual and on-site fellowship interview opportunities. We understand that applicants may have restrictions on travel during this time. Our interview schedule may change as we approach the late summer and fall. We appreciate your patience and understanding; we will absolutely work to accommodate all applicants as best possible during the COVID pandemic.
Contacts
Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship
Program Director
Gautham Kalahasty, MD
Phone: (804) 828-7576
Email: gautham.kalahasty@vcuhealth.org
Fellowship Coordinator
Jeanette Wood
VCU School of Medicine
Dept of Internal Medicine
Box 980509
Richmond, VA 23298-0509
Phone: (804) 828-9726
Email: imfellowships@vcuhealth.org
For training verification requests, please visit us at https://intmed.vcu.edu/education/verification/