Ronaldo V. Purugganan, M.D.
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine, and Pain Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Medical Director, Perioperative Services, Perioperative Services, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Associate Medical Director, Perioperative Services, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Professor, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Professor (Cross-Appointment), Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1996 | University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas, US, MD |
| 1990 | Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, US, Biochemistry, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 1997-2000 | Clinical Residency, Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical School Houston, Houston, Texas |
| 1996-1997 | Clinical Internship, Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical School Houston, Houston, Texas |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2002 | American Board of Anesthesiology/MOCA |
| 1999 | Texas Medical Board |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2015
Assistant Professor, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2004 - 2008
Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2002 - 2008
Instructor, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2000 - 2002
Research Assistant, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, 1993 - 1993
Research Assistant, Department of Hematology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1992 - 1992
Research Technician I, Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 1990 - 1991
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Medical Director, Department of Perioperative Services, Houston, TX, 2018 - 2022
Medical Director, (Ad Interim) Perioperative Services, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2015 - 2018
Chair, Capital Equipment/Value Analysis Committee, Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2016
Medical Director, Surgical Holding Area Unit, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2009 - 2016
Medical Director, Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2002 - 2016
Other Professional Positions
Professor (Cross-Appointment), Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2015 - Present
Member and Clinical Specialist for Thoracic Anesthesia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: Cancer Network Support Group, Houston, TX, 2014 - Present
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Chair, Promotion and Recognition Task Force, Faculty-Based Solutions, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2015
Representative for Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The University of Texas Cross Institutional Clinical Value Analysis Collaboration, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2017
Member, Faculty Senate: Senate Promotions and Tenure Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2016
Senator, Faculty Senate, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2016
Member - Alternate, Credentials Committee of the Medical Staff (CCMS), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2015
Member, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Chair Search Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014
Member, Surgical Services Advisory Committee (SSAC) Emergency Transfusion Subcommittee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2013 - 2014
Senator, Faculty Senate, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2009 - 2011
Member, 360 Evaluation Developmental Departmental Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2006 - 2008
Senator, Faculty Senate, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2002 - 2003
Member, Blood Transfusion Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2002 - 2003
Honors & Awards
| 2024 - Present | Outstanding Thoracic Faculty of the Month |
| 2024 - Present | Outstanding Thoracic Faculty of the Month |
| 2024 - Present | Outstanding Thoracic Faculty of the Month |
| 2024 - Present | Outstanding Thoracic Faculty of the Month |
| 2024 - Present | Outstanding Thoracic Faculty of the Month |
| 2024 - Present | Outstanding Thoracic Faculty of the Month |
| 2024 - Present | Outstanding Thoracic Faculty of the Month |
| 2024 - Present | Outstanding Thoracic Faculty of the Month, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 1999 - 2000 | Chief Resident, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Department of Anesthesiology |
| 1998 | Outstanding Junior Resident, Anesthesiology, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston |
| 1996 | Outstanding Senior Medical Student Award, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Department of Anesthesiology |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
National Presentations
- 2014. Speaker: Advanced Airway Management - Lung Isolation. Conference. 3rd Annual Anesthesia Technology Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2013. Poster Author: Anesthetic Management of a 53 Year-Old Female with Metastatic Leiomyosarcoma to the Left Atrium and Right Lower Lobe (asa2013.4e2145b). Conference. American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting 2013. Washington D.C, DC, US.
- 2013. Speaker: Anesthetic Considerations for Bronchoscopy, Esophagoscopy, and Laser Surgery of the Airway. Conference. 2nd Annual Anesthesia Technology Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2013. Faculty Presenter: Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy and Airway Anatomy. Conference. 2nd Annual Thoracic Anesthesia Symposium. Miami Beach, FL, US.
- 2012. Poster Author: Equipment, Monitoring, and Engineering Technology: Airway Devices (PO8-1). Conference. American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting 2012. Washington D.C, DC, US.
- 2012. Poster Author: Exchanging a Single-Lumen ETT for a Double-Lumen ETT Using Two Cook Catheter (A1021). Conference. American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting 2012. Washington D.C, DC, US.
- 2012. Speaker: Peri-Anesthesia Certification Review Course (CPAN) - PACU Complications. Conference. Speaker: Peri-Anesthesia Certification Review Course (CPAN) - PACU Complications. Houston, TX, US.
- 2012. Speaker: Inhalation Anesthetics vs. TIVA. Conference. First Annual Anesthesia Technology Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2012. Poster Presenter: Video vs. Direct Laryngoscopy for Double-Lumen Tube Placement - A Retrospective Analysis (SCA-32). Conference. Thoracic Anesthesia Symposium, 34th Annual Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologist Meeting and Workshops. Boston, MA, US.
- 2012. Poster Author: Double-Lumen Tube Shaping for Video Laryngoscopy: Minimizing Tube-Hypopharynx Disproportion (SCA-32). Conference. Thoracic Anesthesia Symposium, 34th Annual Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologist Meeting and Workshops. Boston, MA, US.
- 2012. Faculty Presenter: Basic Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy and Airway Anatomy. Conference. 1st Annual Thoracic Symposium. Boston, MA, US.
- 2011. Poster Author: Anesthetic Challenges in the Management of the Patient Undergoing Extrapleural Pneumonectomy with Intrathoracic Hyperthermic Chemotherapy. Conference. The New York Society of Anesthesiologist Postgraduate Assembly #65. New York, NY, US.
- 2011. Speaker: Inhalation vs. TIVA. Conference. American Society of Anesthesia Technologist and Technicians: Region V Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2010. Speaker: Continuous Cardiac Output Monitoring/Transfusion and Cell Savers. Conference. American Society of Anesthesia Technologist and Technicians: Region V Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2010. Presenter: One Lung Isolation Techniques. Conference. 15th Annual MD Anderson Hands-On Workshop for the Difficult Airway. Houston, TX, US.
- 2007. Moderator: Round Table Discussion, Lung Isolation Techniques. Conference. 11th Annual Society for Airway Management Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2007. Poster Presenter: Video Laryngoscopy Improves Ease of Double Lumen Tube Placement. Conference. 11th Annual Society for Airway Management Scientific Meeting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2006. Presenter: TIVA for Thoracic Surgery. Conference. TIVA for the 21st. Century Conference. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2003. Presenter: Fluid Management in Thoracic Surgery. Conference. Annual Current Trends in Cardiothoracic Anesthesia. Houston, TX, US.
- 2003. Presenter: TIVA Applications in Thoracic Surgery. Conference. Annual Current Trends in Cardiothoracic Anesthesia. Houston, TX, US.
- 2002. Instructor: Lung Isolation Workshop. Conference. Annual Hands-On Workshop for the Difficult Airway. Houston, TX, US.
International Presentations
- 2019. Presenter: Pulmonary Anatomy for Advanced Airway Control. Conference. First International Multidisciplinary Cancer Care Conference. Amman, JO.
- 2018. Presenter: Bronchoscopy, Lung Anatomy and Physiology for Thoracic Anesthesia. Conference. Thoracic Anesthesia Conference University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City, VN.
- 2016. Pulmonary Anatomy for Lung Isolation. Conference. 60th Scientific Conference Taiwan Society of Anesthesiology. Taipei, TW.
- 2014. Faculty Presenter: Tracheobronchial Anatomy for Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy. Conference. Thoracic Anesthesia Component of the 17th National Conference of Cardio Vascular and Thoracic Anaesthesiologists. Mumbai, IN.
- 2011. Faculty Presenter: Bronchoscopy and Lung Isolation Techniques. Conference. 14th National Conference of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Anaesthesiologist. Bangaluru, IN.
- 2010. Presenter: TIVA for Thoracic Procedures. Conference. South African Society of Anesthesiologist 2010. Bloemfontein, ZA.
- 2010. Faculty Presenter: Lung Isolation Techniques for Thoracic Surgery. Conference. 13th National Conference of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Anaesthesiologists. Kolkata, IN.
- 2009. Faculty Presenter: Lung Isolation Techniques for Thoracic Surgery. Conference. 12th National Conference of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Anaesthesiologists. Chennai, IN.
- 2008. Faculty Presenter: Lung Isolation Techniques for Thoracic Surgery. Conference. 11th National Conference of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Anaesthesiologists. Ahmedabad, IN.
- 2007. Poster Presentation: Aprotinin significantly decreases transfusion rates in extrapleural pneumonectomy. Conference. The 2007 Annual Meeting of the Canadian Anesthesiologists Society. Calgary, CA.
Formal Peers
- 2014. Presenter, Anesthesiology Grand Rounds: Lung Isolation Techniques for Thoracic Surgery. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2008. Presenter: TIVA for Thoracic Surgery Applications. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Heir JS, Guo SL, Purugganan R, Jackson T, Sekhon AK, Mirza K, Lasala J, Feng L, Cata JP. A Randomized Controlled Study of the Use of Video Double Lumen Endobronchial Tubes versus Double Lumen Endobronchial Tubes in Thoracic Surgery. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29074128.
- Heir JS, Sekhon AK, Thakar DR, Jackson TA, Lasala JD, Purugganan RV. External Tracheal Manipulation Maneuver (ETMM) to Facilitate Endobronchial Blocker Placement. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26853310.
- Heir JS, Purugganan R, Jackson TA, Norman PH, Cata JP, Kosturakis A, Thakar D. A retrospective evaluation of the use of video-capable double-lumen endotracheal tubes in thoracic surgery. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 28(4):882-4, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24656617.
- Schier R, Marcus HE, Mansur E, Lei X, El-Zein R, Mehran R, Purugganan R, Heir JS, Riedel B, Gottumukkala V. Evaluation of digital thermal monitoring as a tool to assess perioperative vascular reactivity. J Atheroscler Thromb 20(3):277-86, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23197179.
- Purugganan RV, Jackson TA, Heir JS, Wang H, Cata JP. Video laryngoscopy versus direct laryngoscopy for double-lumen endotracheal tube intubation: a retrospective analysis. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 26(5)(5):845-8, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22361488.
- Norman PH, Thall PF, Purugganan RV, Riedel BJ, Thakar DR, Rice DC, Huynh L, Qiao W, Wen S, Smythe WR. A possible association between aprotinin and improved survival after radical surgery for mesothelioma. Cancer 115 (4)(4):833-841, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19130460.
- Hagemeister FB, Purugganan R, Fuller L, McLaughlin P, Swan F, Romaguera J, Rodriguez M, Cabanillas F. Treatment of early stages of Hodgkin's disease with novantrone, vincristine, vinblastine, prednisone, and radiotherapy. Semin Hematol 31 (2)(Suppl 3):36-43, 1994. e-Pub 1994. PMID: 8073308.
- Hagemeister FB, Purugganan R, Podoloff DA, Hess M, Rodriguez MA, McLaughlin P, Swan F, Romaguera JE, Cabanillas F. The gallium scan predicts relapse in patients with Hodgkin's disease treated with combined modality therapy. Ann Oncol Suppl 2:59-63, 1994. e-Pub 1994. PMID: 8204521.
- Wolf O, Clemens MW, Purugganan RV, Crosby M, Liu J, Goravanchi F. A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of Paravertebral Block vs. General Anesthesia Alone for Masectomy with Immediate Tissue Expander Reconstruction: Improving Patient Pathways. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Invited Articles
- Purugganan RV. Intravenous Anaesthesia for Thoracic Procedures. Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia 16(1):116-120, 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- Rahlfs T, Purugannan R, McMilian L. Health Care Resource Management: An Introduction and the Role of the Anesthesiologist. Advances in Anesthesia 25:1-6, 2007. e-Pub 2007.
- Popat K, Purugganan R, Malik I. Off-label uses for dexmedtomidine. Advances in Aesthesia 24:177-192, 2006. e-Pub 2006.
Professional Educational Materials
- Lasala J, Purugganan RV. UpToDate: Anesthetic Management of Anterior Mediastinal Masses. Wolters Kluwer Health, 2017.
- Purugganan R, Norman P. Basic Video Bronchoscopy for Lung Isolation in Thoracic Anesthesia, 2007.
- Purugganan R. Cardiovascular Anesthesia Resident's Manual For the University of Texas Houston Medical School, 2000.
Abstracts
- Cerny JL, Jackson TA, Purugganan RV, Mehran RJ, Thakar DR. Exchanging a Single-Lumen ETT for a Double-Lumen ETT Using Two Cook Catheters. American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Norman PH, Thall P, Purugganan RV, Thakar DR, Vaporciyan AA, Lin HY. Inspired Oxygen Concentration During Thoracic Surgery With One-Lung Ventilation Does Not Affect Postoperative Pneumonia, Cardiovascular Complications, or Survival. Anesthesiology, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Norman PH, Thall P, Purugganan RV, Thakar DR, Vaporciyan A, Lin HY. Inspired Oxygen Concentration During Thoracic Surgery with One-lung Ventilation does not Affect Postoperative Pneumonia, Cardiovascular Complications, or Survival. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Jackson TA, Cata JP, Purugganan RV. Double-Lumen Tube Shaping for Video Laryngoscopy: Minimizing Tube-Hypopharynx Disproportion. Thoracic Symposium, Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologist Annual Meeting, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Purugganan RV, Cata JP, Jackson TA. Video vs. Direct Laryngoscopy for Double-Lumen Tube Placement: A Retrospective Analysis. Thoracic Symposium, Society of cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
Book Chapters
- Kee SS, Rebello E, Heir JS, Purugganan RV. Anesthesia Monitoring Devices. In: Biomedical Technology and Devices 2nd Edition, 2013.
- Tsai J, Moon T, Vachhani S, Lasala J, Norman PH, Purugganan R. Anesthesia for Thoracic Surgical Procedures. In: Principles and Practice of Thoracic Surgery. Ed Firstenberg M Intech, 2013.
- Purugganan RV. Intravenous Anesthesia for Thoracic Procedures. In: Principles and Practice of Anesthesia for Thoracic Surgery. Ed Slinger P. Springer, 2011.
- Purugganan RV. Intravenous Anesthesia for Thoracic Procedures. In: Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 1, 1-7, 2008.
- Purugganan R, Kowalski A, Arens J. Fluid therapy for non-cardiac thoracic surgery. In: Perioperative Fluid Therapy. Marcel Dekker, 2005.
Letters to the Editor
- Truong AT, Truong DT, Jackson TA, Purugganan RV, Rahlfs TF. Retromolar placement of a double-lumen tube: novel approach for a difficult airway. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 26: e44-6, 2012.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 22, 2026