Resource Center and Ongoing Projects

Resource Center and Ongoing Projects

1. Dr Bhanu heads the HTA resource center for Uttarakhand at AIIMS Rishikesh.

  • Developed guidelines for the appropriate use of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR).
  • Drafted a policy brief comparing the effectiveness of Cardiotocography (CTG) and Fetal Doppler.
  • Led the creation of the Hospital Preparedness Index (HOSPI) for COVID patients.
  • Conducted an in-depth evaluation of National Health Insurance programs. Published in Economic and Political weekly in Sept, 2024.
  • Published a paper in PloS One related to the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the challenges healthcare systems faced in balancing the provision of both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 care, highlighting the need for more resilient and adaptable infrastructures.

2. BIRAC funded the development of a Smartphone-Based Rapid, Portable, Cardiac Biosensor Device Using Flexible Gel-Less Antibacterial Ag Nanorods Array.

  • Pioneered the development of cutting-edge dry electrodes for ECG monitoring.
  • Enhanced electrode performance to achieve accuracy and reliability comparable to conventional gold-standard electrodes.
  • Authored two research papers currently under revision.

3. ICMR funded The Yoga Care HF Trial to explore the effectiveness of yoga-based rehabilitation in heart failure patients. The trial is being conducted over a 2-year period, from 2023 to 2026.

  • Recognized as a top performer in a multi-centre yoga trial.
  • The trial integrates yoga with cardiac rehabilitation to offer an alternative therapy for heart failure patients.
  • Selected as one of the five leading centres out of 15 participants to conduct three specialized sub-studies.
  • Successfully completed a clinical trial with a one-year follow-up of 200 patients.

4. Non-invasive CAD diagnosis using coronary imaging.

  • A patent has been filled which focuses on plaque segmentation contributing to advancements in Coronary artery disease.
  • A research paper in the journal Pattern Recognition has already been accepted, addressing the PSIVUS/
  • Currently engaged in research on biomarkers, with a focus on identifying novel indicators for CAD, aiming to improve diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes.

Completed Projects

1. The National Program for Health Care of Elderly funded a study on Myocardial Systolic Function in Elderly Patients using 2D longitudinal speckle tracking. The project ran for 1.6 years, starting in July 2011.

  • Focused on assessing myocardial systolic function in elderly patients with normal left ventricular function
  • Utilized 2D longitudinal speckle tracking for a more detailed and accurate analysis of cardiac function

2. Awarded an International Fellowship as an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) long-term fellow.

  • IVUS training at C5 IVUS Core lab at Cleveland clinic, USA
  • Established first Coronary Imaging lab in India

3. The Wellcome Trust-DBT funded a project on the Correlation of RNA profile with atherosclerotic plaque burden using Intravascular Ultrasound. The project ran from 2014 to 2017.

  • Established first Molecular Cardiology Lab in India
  • Provided new insights into plaque formation and cardiovascular risks
  • To understand the severity of atherosclerotic plaques using intravascular ultrasound.

4. The Wadhwani project: Coronary Imaging in CAD patients. The project ran from 2015 to 2017.

  • Investigated disease progression using coronary imaging.

5. The Uttarakhand Council of Science & Technology, Dehradun funded a 4-year project on the genetic polymorphism of ABCB1, CYP2C19, and P2Y12 genes.

  • The project investigated the genetic variations in these genes and their effect on the clinical efficacy of clopidogrel, a drug used to prevent blood clots.
  • Optimised a method to prepare PRP and perform LTA in the patients of CAD