Radha Arunkumar, M.D.
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine, and Pain Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1991 | Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, IND, MD, Doctor of Medicine (Anesthesia) |
| 1985 | University of Madras, Madras Medical College, Tamil Nadu, IND, MBBS, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery |
Postgraduate Training
| 2001-2003 | Clinical Residency, Anesthesia (CA-2, CA-3), University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA |
| 2000-2001 | Clinical Residency, Internship (Clinical Base Year), University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA |
| 1999-1999 | Clinical Residency, Anesthesia (CA-1), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA |
| 1998-1998 | Senior House Officer, Anesthesia, Queens Medical Center, University of Nottingham, Nottingham |
| 1997-1998 | Senior House Officer, Anesthesia, Nottingham City Hospital, University of Nottingham, Nottingham |
| 1996-1997 | Senior House Officer, Anesthesia, The King's Mill Center of Healthcare Services, Sutton-in-Ashfield |
| 1992-1995 | Senior Residency, Anesthesia, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi |
| 1991-1991 | Senior Residency, Anesthesia, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry |
| 1987-1991 | Junior Residency, Anesthesia, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry |
| 1987-1987 | Senior House Officer, General Hospital, Neyveli Lignite Corporation, Neyveli |
| 1985-1986 | Clinical Internship, Government General Hospital, Madras Medical College, Chennai |
Board Certifications
| 2004 | American Board of Anesthesiology |
| 1997 | Royal College of Anesthetists, UK, Primary FRCA |
| 1991 | Board Certified in Anesthesiology, India |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2009 - 2015
Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2005 - 2009
Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesia, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 2003 - 2005
Associate, Department of Anesthesia, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 2003 - 2003
Consultant Anesthetist, Department of Anesthesia, National Heart Institute (All India Heart Foundation), New Delhi, 1995 - 1996
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Section Chief, Neuro and Orthopedic Anesthesia Team, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2020
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Elected to the Board of Directors as Member-At-Large, Society for Airway Management, Chicago, IL, 2018 - 2022
Institutional Committee Activities
Member and Interim Reserve Chair, Scientific Review Committee, 2019 - 2022
Member and Interim Reserve Chair, Clinical Research Committee, 2012 - 2019
Member, Patient Positioning Task Force, Perioperative Enterprise, 2010 - 2019
Member, Spiritual Observances Committee, 2008 - 2011
Member, Clinical Research Committee, 2006 - 2009
Department Representative, Pharmacy and Therapeutics Subcommittee, 2004 - 2005
Honors & Awards
| 2013 | Multi-Year Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2003 | Second Prize, Case Report Presentation in Airway session, Midwest Anesthesia Resident Conference [MARC] |
| 2002 | First Prize $500 and Certificate for Resident Essay Contest, Anesthesia History Association of the American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] |
| 2001 | First Prize in Basic Sciences category in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management, Midwest Anesthesia Resident Conference [MARC] |
| 1991 | Krishnan Vydier Gold Medal, Best Candidate in Anesthesiology Board Examinations, Pondicherry University |
| 1983 | Dr. P. Rathinaswami Memorial Prize in Social and Preventive Medicine, Madras Medical College |
| 1983 | George Smith Prize in Pathology, Madras Medical College |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Grasu RM, Cata JP, Dang AQ, Tatsui CE, Rhines LD, Hagan KB, Bhavsar S, Raty SR, Arunkumar R, Potylchansky Y, Lipski I, Arnold BA, McHugh TM, Bird JE, Rodriguez-Restrepo A, Hernandez M, Popat KU. Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Spine Surgery program at a large cancer center: a preliminary analysis. J Neurosurg Spine 29(5):1-11, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30117797.
- Cata JP, Bhavsar S, Hagan KB, Arunkumar R, Shi T, Grasu R, Dang A, Carlson R, Arnold B, Popat K, Potylchansky Y, Lipski I, Raty S, Nguyen AT, McHugh TM, Feng L, Rahlfs TF. Scalp blocks for brain tumor craniotomies: A retrospective survival analysis of a propensity match cohort of patients. J Clin Neurosci 51:46-51, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29514747.
- Cata JP, Bhavsar S, Hagan KB, Arunkumar R, Grasu R, Dang A, Carlson R, Arnold B, Popat K, Rao G, Potylchansky Y, Lipski I, Ratty S, Nguyen AT, McHugh T, Feng L, Rahlfs TF. Intraoperative serum lactate is not a predictor of survival after glioblastoma surgery. J Clin Neurosci 43:224-228, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28601568.
- Hagan K, Bhavsar S, Arunkumar R, Grasu R, Dang A, Carlson R, Cowles C, Arnold B, Potylchansky Y, Rahlfs TF, Lipski I, Walsh C, Jimenez F, Nguyen AT, Feng L, Cata JP. Association Between Perioperative Hyperglycemia and Survival in Patients with Glioblastoma. J Neurosurg Anesthesiol 29(1):21-29, 2017. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27438798.
- Cata JP, Hagan KB, Bhavsar SD, Arunkumar R, Grasu R, Dang A, Carlson R, Arnold B, Potylchansky Y, Lipski I, McHugh T, Jimenez F, Nguyen AT, Feng L, Rahlfs TF. The use of isoflurane and desflurane as inhalational agents for glioblastoma surgery. A survival analysis. J Clin Neurosci 35:82-87, 2017. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27765559.
- Bhavsar S, Hagan K, Arunkumar R, Potylchansky Y, Grasu R, Dang A, Carlson R, Cowels C, Arnold B, Rahlfs TF, Lipski I, Walsh C, Nguyen AT, Feng L, Cata JP. Preoperative statin use is not associated with improvement in survival after glioblastoma surgery. J Clin Neurosci 31:176-80, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27396375.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Popovich SM, Zavala AM, Grosshans DR, Van Meter A, Williams UU, Holmes AA, Arunkumar R, Rebello E, McAleer MF, Porche V, Mahajan A. A multi-institutional pilot survey of anesthesia practices during proton radiation therapy. Pract Radiat Oncol 6(3):155-9, 2016. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26725965.
- Hagan KB, Bhavsar S, Raza SM, Arnold B, Arunkumar R, Dang A, Gottumukkala V, Popat K, Pratt G, Rahlfs T, Cata JP. Enhanced recovery after surgery for oncological craniotomies. J Clin Neurosci 24:10-6, 2016. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26474504.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Williams UU, Van Meter AK, Popovich S, Cowles CE, Holmes AA, Grasu RM, Casarez VQ, Arunkumar R, Porche V, Zavala AM. Multiple anesthetics for proton-radiotherapy in a child with costello syndrome. Open Journal of Clinical and Medical Case Reports 1(9; 1053):1-6, 2015.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Borthakur G, Rebello E, Arunkumar R, Wang SA, Rytting M, Jorgensen JL, Hernandez M, Ruiz JR, Cata JP. The Association Between Opioid Administration and Response to Therapy in Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma 56(6):1-9, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25363399.
- Green H, Lin H, Owusu-Agyemang P, Arunkumar R, Mejia R, Okhuysen-Cawley R, Mauricio R, Angelo II J, Fournier KF, Hayes-Jordan A. Perioperative Renal Protective Treatment Avoids Renal Toxicity in Pediatric and Adult Patients Undergoing HIPEC with Cisplatin. Journal of Pediatric Oncology 2(1):10-16, 2014.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Grosshans D, Arunkumar R, Rebello E, Popovich S, Zavala A, Williams C, Ruiz J, Hernandez M, Mahajan A, Porche V. Non-invasive anesthesia for children undergoing proton radiation therapy. Radiother Oncol 111(1):30-4, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24560754.
- Hayes-Jordan A, Green HL, Lin H, Owusu-Agyemang P, Fitzgerald N, Arunkumar R, Mejia R, Okhuysen-Cawley R, Mauricio R, Fournier K, Ludwig J, Anderson P. Complete Cytoreduction and HIPEC Improves Survival in Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor. Ann Surg Oncol 21(1):220-4, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24046124.
- Arunkumar R, Rebello E, Owusu-Agyemang P. Anaesthetic techniques for unique cancer surgery procedures. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol 27(4):513-26, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24267555.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Arunkumar R, Green H, Hurst D, Landoski K, Hayes-Jordan A. Anesthetic Management and Renal Function in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery with Continuous Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) with Cisplatin. Ann Surg Oncol 19(8):2652-6, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22451231.
- Leonard PA, Arunkumar R, Brennan TJ. Bradykinin antagonists have no analgesic effect on incisional pain. Anesth Analg 99(4):1166-72, 2004. PMID: 15385370.
Abstracts
- Arunkumar R, Y Potylchansky, A Zavala, T Idowu, P Owusu-Agyemang, UU Williams, A Van Meter, V Casarez, W Zhang, C Chapman, and R Kapoor. Anesthesia for a free flap on a 2-year-old patient with rhabdomyosarcoma and resulting difficult airway. Proceedings of the 17th World Congress of Anesthesiologists, Prague, Czech Republic, 2021.
- Hagan K, Williams U, Speer B, Owusu-Agyemang P, Thakar D, Moon-Calderon T, Bui T, Cerny J, Zheng G, Grasu R, Arunkumar R, Soliz J.. Non-clinical time distribution within an academic anesthesiology department. Proceedings of the NYSSA PGA 72 2018, New York City, NY, 2018.
- Grasu R, Cata JP, Dang AQ, Hagan K, Potylchansky Y, Lipski I, Raty S, Arnold BA, Bhavsar S, McHugh TM, Arunkumar R, Tatsui CE, Rhines LD, Bird JE, Rodriguez A, Hernandez M, Popat KU. The implementation of an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Program for Spine Surgery (ERSS) shortens the length of stay and improves postoperative pain in major spine surgery for metastatic tumors at a cancer center. Proceedings of the Annual GAP Conference 2017, Global Academic Programs, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017.
- Grasu R, Dang A, Cata JP, Arunkumar R,Carlson R, Raty S, Arnold B, Hagan K, Bhavsar S, Lipski I, Rahlfs T. Use of Scalp Block in Patients Undergoing Craniotomy: A Retrospective Review of Patients at a Large Cancer Center. Proceedings of the NYSSA PGA 70, New York City, NY, 2016.
- Arunkumar R, Bhavsar S, McCutcheon I. Anesthetic Management of a Pediatric Patient With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) for Spinal Cord Injection of Stem Cells. Proceedings of the ASA Annual Meeting 2015, San Diego, CA, 2015.
- Hagan KB, Ruiz JR, Thirumurthi S, Carlson RF, Owusu-Agyemang P, Weston BR, Demaree CJ, Arnold B, Arunkumar R. Total Intravenous Anesthesia Without an Endotracheal Tube for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography and the Incidence of Conversion to Endotracheal Intubation: a Retrospective Review. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 81(5):AB308, 2015.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Rebello E, Arunkumar R, Ruiz JR, Borthakur G, Rytting M, Wang S, Hernandez M, Cata JP. Opioid Administration to Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Is Not Associated With Decreased Survival. Proceedings of the ASA Annual Meeting 2014, New Orleans, LA, 2014.
- Ferson DZ, Lipski I, Grasu RM, Dang AQ, Cowles CE, Nguyen LT, Nguyen AT, Arunkumar R, Lang FF, Chi TL. Use of Supraglottic Airways in Patients Undergoing Brain Tumor Surgery in Eloquent Areas and Intraoperative Neurological Mapping and Monitoring with an Asleep-awake-asleep Technique. Proceedings of the ASA Annual Meeting 2014, New Orleans, LA, 2014.
- Ferson DZ, Chang E, Dinh A, Nguyen L, Nguyen AT, Arunkumar R, Lang FF, Chi L. Super-Selective Scalp Block During Prolonged Awake Craniotomies: Effective Duration, Patient Comfort and Clinical Value. Proceedings of the ASA Annual Meeting 2013, San Francisco, CA, 2013.
- Ferson D, Chang E, Dinh A, Nguyen AT, Nguyen L, Arunkumar R, Wiemers J, Chi L, Rahlfs TF, Lang F. Super-selective scalp block during prolonged awake craniotomies: effective duration, patient comfort, and clinical value. Proceedings from the Global Conference on Perioperative Medicine: Care of the Elderly and the Cancer Patient, UTMDACC, Houston, TX, 2012.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Arunkumar R, Potylchansky Y, Mauricio R, Landoski K, Hurst D, Green H, Hayes-Jordan A. Intraoperative fluid management and blood product administration in pediatric patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion with cisplatin. Proceedings from the Global Conference on Perioperative Medicine: Care of the Elderly and the Cancer Patient, UTMDACC, Houston, TX, 2012.
- Popovich S, Owusu-Agyemang P, Rebello E, Arunkumar R, Porche V. Anesthesia for Pediatric Patients in Proton Centers: An International Survey. Proceedings from the Global Conference on Perioperative Medicine: Care of the Elderly and the Cancer Patient, UTMDACC, Houston, TX, 2012.
- Ferson D, Chang E, Dinh A, Nguyen AT, Nguyen L, Arunkumar R, Chi L.. Super-selective Scalp Block During Prolonged Awake Craniotomies: Effective Duration, Patient Comfort, and Clinical Value. Annual Fall Pain Meeting & Workshops, American Society of Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, Miami, FL, 2012.
- Popovich S, Owusu-Agyemang P, Rebello E, Arunkumar R, Porche V. Anesthesia for Pediatric Patients in Proton Centers: An International Survey. Proceedings from the International Assembly for Pediatric Anesthesia (IAPA 2012), Washington DC, USA, 2012.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Rebello E, Arunkumar R, Ruiz JR. Comparison of narcotic versus non-narcotic techniques for pediatric lumbar puncture and bone marrow aspiration. Proceedings from the International Assembly for Pediatric Anesthesia (IAPA 2012), Washington DC, USA, 2012.
- Green H, Lin H, Owusu-Agyemang P, Arunkumar R, Mejia R, Okhuysen-Cawley R, Mauricio R, Angelo II J, Fournier KF, Hayes-Jordan A. Perioperative Renal Protective Treatment Avoids Renal Toxicity in Pediatric and Adult Patients Undergoing HIPEC with Cisplatin. Proceedings from the 8th International World Congress on Peritoneal Surface Malignancies, Berlin, Germany, 2012.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Rebello E, Arunkumar R, Gombos D, Ruiz JR. Assessment of Postoperative Vomiting in Retinoblastoma Patients and their Siblings Undergoing Eye Exams Under Anesthesia. Proceedings from the 15th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists of the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2012.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Rebello E, Arunkumar R, Gombos D, Ruiz JR. Assessment of Postoperative Vomiting in Retinoblastoma Patients and their Siblings Undergoing Eye Exams Under Anesthesia. Proceedings from the 65th Annual Postgraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology, New York, NY, 2011.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Rebello E, Arunkumar R, Gombos D, Ruiz JR. Assessment of Postoperative Vomiting in Retinoblastoma Patients and Their Siblings Undergoing Eye Exams Under Anesthesia. XVth Biennial Congress of the International Society of Ocular Oncology, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2011.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Rebello E, Arunkumar R, Ruiz JR.. Evaluation of Postoperative Vomiting in Pediatric Patients in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit Undergoing Eye Exams under Anesthesia. Proceedings of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, San Diego, CA, 2011.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Arunkumar R, Potylchansky YP, Mauricio R, Landoski K, Hurst D, Green H, Hayes-Jordan A.. Intraoperative Fluid Management and Blood Product Administration in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Perfusion with Cisplatin. Proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium on Regional Cancer Therapies, Lake Tahoe, NV, 2011.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Arunkumar R, Potylchansky YP, Mauricio R, Landoski K, Hurst D, Green H, Hayes-Jordan A.. Intraoperative Fluid Management and Blood Product Administration in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Perfusion with Cisplatin. Proceedings from the 64th Annual Postgraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology, New York, NY, 2010.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Arunkumar R, Potylchansky Y, Mauricio, Rizalina APN, Landoski K, Hurst D, Green H, Hayes-Jordan A. Intraoperative Fluid Management and Blood Product Administration in Pediatric patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery With Hyperthermic Peritoneal Perfusion With Cisplatin. 7th International Workshop on Peritoneal Surface Malignancy, Uppsala, Sweden, 2010.
- Arunkumar, R, Zambare, S, Frenzel J, Riedel B, Ferson, D. Changes in airway management strategies in 40,939 consecutive surgical oncology patients. Proceedings of the ASA Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 2007.
- Arunkumar, R, Ferson, D, Lange G, Feeley, T, Riedel, B. High negative predictive value of the modified Mallampati class in the surgical oncology population. Proceedings of the ASA Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 2007.
Book Chapters
- Arunkumar R, Owusu-Agyemang P. Preoperative Assessment: General Principles. In: Out of Operating Room Anesthesia A Comprehensive Review. 1. Springer International Publishing: USA, 53-64, 2016.
- Owusu-Agyemang P, Arunkumar R. Fasting Guidelines: Do They Need to Be Different?. In: Out of Operating Room Anesthesia A Comprehensive Review. 1. Springer International Publishing: USA, 65-69, 2016.
- Arunkumar R. OculoCardiac Reflex. In: The 5-Minute Anesthesia Consult. Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: USA, 608-9, 2012.
- Arunkumar R. Sickle Cell Disease. In: The 5-Minute Anesthesia Consult. Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: USA, 812-13, 2012.
- Arunkumar, R, Sukumaran A. V.. Cervico-Thoracic, Lumbar Spine Surgery, Tumor Excision, Vertebrectomy, Instrumentation and Stabilization. In: NEURECIPES. Author House: Bloomington, Indiana, 92-102, 2008.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified April 19, 2024