Dr. Saritha Sekhar has completed MBBS from Govt Medical College, Thiruvanathapuram in 2000, MD General Medicine from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore in 2006. She was trained in the Department of Cardiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi and passed the Diplomate of National Board Examination( DNB ) in Cardiology in 2009.
Dr. Saritha joined the phenomenal cardiology team in Amrita as Assistant Professor in early 2010 and is presently working as the Associate Professor. She is an astute clinician with great academic achievements. She has extensive experience in transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.
Dr. Saritha is an interventional cardiologist with considerable expertise in coronary angiography and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty including rotablation for calcified coronary lesions. She is well trained in Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR), renal angioplasty, Intravascular Ultrasound ( IVUS ) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).
Dr. Saritha is proficient in permanent pacemaker and Intracardiac Defibrillator Implantation. She is also competent in following up pacemakers and Intracardiac Defibrillators.
She has special interest in Preventive Cardiology, with in-depth knowledge and experience in modifying various coronary risk factors, including appropriate dietary advice and exercise counselling.
Dr. Saritha has a passion towards women cardiac issues and is planning awareness campaigns on the same. She is an eloquent speaker and has delivered lectures in various meetings. She has published articles and case reports in various journals. She plays an integral role in the DM training program in the department.
Publications
| Year of Publication | Title |
|---|---|
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2019 |
M. Subramanian, Prabhu, M. A., Rai, M., Harikrishnan M. S., Saritha Sekhar, Praveen G. Pai, and Natarajan, K. U., “A novel prediction model for risk stratification in patients with a type 1 Brugada ECG pattern.”, J Electrocardiol, vol. 55, pp. 65-71, 2019.[Abstract] <p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>Risk stratification in Brugada syndrome remains a controversial and unresolved clinical problem, especially in asymptomatic patients with a type 1 ECG pattern. The purpose of this study is to derive and validate a prediction model based on clinical and ECG parameters to effectively identify patients with a type 1 ECG pattern who are at high risk of major arrhythmic events (MAE) during follow-up.</p> <p><b>METHODS: </b>This study analysed data from 103 consecutive patients with Brugada Type 1 ECG pattern and no history of previous cardiac arrest. The prediction model was derived using logistic regression with MAE as the primary outcome, and patient demographic and electrocardiographic parameters as potential predictor variables. The model was externally validated in an independent cohort of 42 patients.</p> <p><b>RESULTS: </b>The final model (Brugada Risk Stratification [BRS] score) consisted of 4 independent predictors (1 point each) of MAE during follow-up (median 85.3 months): spontaneous type 1 pattern, QRS fragments in inferior leads≥3,S wave upslope duration ratio ≥ 0.8, and T peak - T end ≥ 100 ms. The BRS score (AUC = 0.95,95% CI 0.0.92-0.98) stratifies patients with a type 1 ECG pattern into low (BRS score ≤ 2) and high (BRS score ≥ 3) risk classes, with a class specific risk of MAE of 0-1.1% and 92.3-100% across the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively.</p> <p><b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>The BRS score is a simple bed-side tool with high predictive accuracy, for risk stratification of patients with a Brugada Type 1 ECG pattern. Prospective validation of the prediction model is necessary before this score can be implemented in clinical practice.</p> More »» |
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2016 |
Saritha Sekhar, Vupputuri, A., Nair, R. Chandrasek, Palaniswamy, S. Sundaram, and Natarajan, K. Uma, “Coronary Stent Infection Successfully Diagnosed Using 18F-Flurodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography.”, Can J Cardiol, vol. 32, no. 12, pp. 1575.e1-1575.e3, 2016.[Abstract] <p>Infection of coronary stents is extremely rare. We report a case of a 60-year-old gentleman with recurrent fever after acute stent occlusion and reintervention. A coronary angiogram showed an occluded stented segment and the blood cultures were positive for infection. The presence of inflammation in the stented region was confirmed using 18F-flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography computed tomography. The patient underwent surgery and the diagnosis was proven by examination of the surgical material. This article highlights the need to have a high index of suspicion of stent infection, and the use of 18F-flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography computed tomography along with coronary angiogram in aiding the diagnosis.</p> More »» |
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