Andrzej P. Kwater, M.D.
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine, and Pain Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant 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
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Volunteer Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2016 | UT Health McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, US, Doctor of Medicine (MD) |
| 2011 | The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, US, Bachelor of Science in Biology: Neurobiology |
Postgraduate Training
| 2023-null | Diagnostic Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Certification, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) |
| 2023-null | Introduction to Perioperative POCUS, American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) |
| 2023-null | Advanced FATE - Focused Assessed Transthoracic Echocardiography, UT Health McGovern Medical School |
| 2020-2021 | Clinical Fellowship, Regional Anesthesiology & Acute Pain Medicine, UT Health McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas |
| 2016-2020 | Clinical Residency, Anesthesiology, UT Health McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas |
Board Certifications
| 2021 | American Board of Anesthesiology |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Program Director, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2025 - Present
Associate Program Director, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2022 - Present
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Boyev A, Popat K, Gottumukkala VNR, Kwater AP, Chiang YJ, Prakash LR, Newhook TE, Arvide EM, Dewhurst WL, Bruno ML, Van Meter A, Hancher-Hodges S, Ghebremichael S, Williams U, Donahue H, Soliz J, Tzeng CD. Postoperative pain scores and opioid use after standard bupivacaine vs. liposomal bupivacaine regional blocks for abdominal cancer surgery: A propensity score matched study. The American Journal of Surgery 237, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38789322.
- Lumsden, S, Kharasch, ED, Speer, BB, Kwater, AP, Gan, TJ, Cata, JP. Intraoperative Methadone Administration Is Not Associated With An Increase in Perioperative Use of Naloxone: A Retrospective Study. Anesthesia & Analgesia 138(5):1145-1147, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38195080.
- Kwater, AP, Sen, S, De Haan, JB, Ge, M, Kim, AM, Hernandez, N. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cryoneurolysis for management of acute sternal fracture pain. Trauma Case Reports 43, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36636466.
- Kwater, AP, Hernandez, N, Artime, C, De Haan, JB. Interscalene Block for Analgesia in Orthopedic Treatment of Shoulder Trauma: Single-Dose Liposomal Bupivacaine versus Perineural Catheter. Local and Regional Anesthesia 14:167-178, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34908874.
- Sen S, De Haan JB, Guvernator G, Kwater AP, Langridge XT, Freet DJ, Ge M, Hernandez N. Lumbosacral paraspinal interfascial plane blocks for pain control after feminizing genital gender affirmation surgery. Pain Management 11(3):277-286, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33533275.
- Bradley SL, Kwater AP, Cooke JM, Pivalizza CM, Zhang X, Sridhar S, Gumbert SD, Pivalizza EG. Comparison of temporal artery temperature and bladder temperature in the postanesthesia care unit. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings 32(4):502-504, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31656405.
- Schumann R, Kwater AP, Bonney I, Ladd D, Kim J, Gupta A, Gumbert SD, Pivalizza EG. Respiratory volume monitoring in an obese surgical population and the prediction of postoperative respiratory depression by the STOP-bang OSA risk score. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia 34:295-301, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27687395.
Other Articles
- Bradley SL, Kwater AP, Cooke JM, Tovar A, DeBeaux AC, Wu H, Sridhar S, Gumbert SD, Chappell A, Pivalizza EG Is Skin Temperature Measurement in PACU an Accurate Reflection of Core Temperature. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meeting.
- Pivalizza EG, De Haan JB, Kwater A, Cooke J, Poi T, Ruggles P, Michael A Evaluation of Initial Aprepitant Use as a Rescue Anti-Emetic in PACU. International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) Annual Meeting.
- Kwater A, De Haan JB, Artime C, Hernandez N Continuous Interscalene Nerve Block for Shoulder Surgery: Catheter versus Liposomal Bupivacaine. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Kwater A, Zavala A, Dangler L, Brown JK, Owusu-Agyemang P, Caplan LA, Chau TP, Chapman CK Difficult Airway Management Following Glossectomy with Protruding Necrotic Neck Mass. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meeting.
- Kwater A, Hernandez N, De Haan JB, Reskallah A, Shoham D Thoracic Erector Spinae Plane Block for Liver Transplant in Setting of Acute Coagulopathy. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meeting.
- Kwater A, Hernandez N, De Haan JB, Ge M, Sen S, Cooke J, Khan S, Chaudry R Cryoneurolysis: The Future of Acute Pain Management for Sternal Fractures. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Liao J, Kwater A, Avila N, Khan S Postoperative Genicular Nerve Blocks for Rescue Analgesia of Intractable Periarticular Knee Pain in Trauma Setting. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Swift M, Sen S, De Haan JB, Ge M, Kwater AP, Hernandez N Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Intercostal Cryoneurolysis for Acute on Chronic Pain in CLOVES Disease. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Wrobleski I, Hernandez N, Kwater A, De Haan JB, Sen S, Cooke J, Khan S Pain Management following Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Regional Interventions for Prolonged Analgesia. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Aranke M, Sen S, Ge M, De Haan JB, Kwater AP, Hernandez N, Langridge XT A Novel Technique for Opioid De-escalation: Brachial Plexus Cryoneurolysis to Treat Acute on Chronic Upper Extremity Pain. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ARSA) Annual Meeting.
- Cooke J, Kwater A, De Haan JB, Hernandez N Management of Entrapped Indwelling Perineural Femoral Catheter after Above Knee Amputation. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Kolcun G, Sen S, Kwater A, Cooke J, De Haan JB, Hernandez N Erector Spinae Plane Catheters for Postoperative Analgesia Following Fragility Hip Fracture Surgery: A Pilot Study. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Vu C, Sharma I, Zavala A, Idowu T, Kwater AP, Donahue H, Oliver JA, Bankston CB, Panchapakesan K, Singh-Heir J Quality Improvement Project for Patients with Tracheostomy/Laryngectomy in Emergency Airway Events: A Case Report. Society of Airway Management (SAM) Annual Meeting.
- Kwater A, Liu E, Frazier W, Hernandez N Evaluating the Role of Paraspinal Blocks in ERAS for Spine Surgery: A Retrospective Case Control Study. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Bui TP, Kwater A, Zavala A, Idowu T, Sharma IN Oral High Flow Oxygenation for Difficult Airway Fiberoptic Intubation: A Case Report. International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) Annual Meeting.
- Dang A, Strang A, Williams C, Donahue H, Kwater AP, Idowu T Epiglottitis Presentation in an Adult Patient with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Case Report. Society of Airway Management (SAM) Annual Meeting.
- Panchapakesan K, Donahue H, Zavala A, Kwater AP Cosyntropin as Prophylactic Strategy for Post-Dural Puncture Headache in Surgical Patient Population. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meeting.
- Igew P, Kurian J, Lumsden S, Zavala A, Kwater A, Hancher-Hodges S, Van Meter A, Ghebremichael S, Donahue H, Williams U, Popat K Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) for Postoperative Analgesia After Total Mastectomy. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Strang A, Sullivan E, Williams C, Sansguiri A, Idowu T, Kwater A, Bailard N, Zavala A A Sheen of Green with Lymphazurin 1% Blue Dye: A Case Report. 76th Annual PostGraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology (PGA).
- Snow E, Lasala J, Kwater AP, Lumsden S, Pham S, Van Meter A, Donahue H Thoracic Paravertebral Surgical Block Block for Resection of SCC to Avoid Intubation in Difficult Airway Patient. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Wright E, Lumsden S, Kwater AP, Oliver J, Shrestha LA, Kurian J, Popat K, Speer BB Suprainguinal Fasica Iliaca Catheter as Opioid-Sparing Strategy in Elderly Following Hemiarthroplasty for Pathologic Fracture. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Garcia J, Lumsden S, Donahue H, Ghebremichael S, Kwater AP, Oliver J, Van Meter A, Mani J, Williams U, Zavala A Dual Epidural Catheter System for Pediatric Analgesic Management of Radiation-Induced Sacral Osteosarcoma. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Lumsden S, Wright E, Kwater AP, Mani J, Shrestha LA, Speer BB Anterior Sciatic Block and Adductor Catheter Following Failed Lumbar Epidural for Total Knee Arthroplasty in Chronic Pain Patient. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Lumsden S, Snow E, Zavala A, Hancher-Hodges S, Popat K, Owolabi A, Oliver JA, Shrestha LA, Kurian J, Kwater AP Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) Block Catheters for Chest and Abdominal Wall Analgesia Following DIEP Flap Reconstruction. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Lumsden S, Popat K, Speer BB, North R, Kwater AP Spinal Accessory Nerve Block as Pathway to Surgical Treatment of Chronic Neck Spasms Secondary to Nerve Injury after Thyroidectomy. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Khatker M, Lumsden S, Van Meter A, Williams U, Owolabi A, Ghebremichael S, Kwater AP Combined Intersclane-Supraclavicular Block with Liposomal Bupivacaine for Resection of Humerus and Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Shrestha LA, Lumsden S, Shrestha L, Zavala A, Reskallah A, Morcous SJ, Kurian J, Kwater AP Parasternal Intercostal Plane Blocks as Rescue for Extubation following Chemotherapy-Induced Anaphylaxis and Cardiac Arrest. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Muthukumar A, Nguyen AT, Idowu O, Lasala J, Kwater AP Arterial Line Waveform Variability during Spine Surgery for Resection of Invasive Intrathoracic Chondrosarcoma. 77th Annual PostGraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology (PGA).
- Mosa A, Wright E, Mensah C, Huang H, Hendon A, Kwater AP Quadratus Lumborum Catheters to the Rescue: Open RPLND for Testicular Cancer. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Greesen J, Reskallah A, Donahue H, Wright E, Bradley S, Lai E, Kwater AP Ultrasound-Assisted Spinal Anesthesia in Setting of Post-COVID Pulmonary Sequelae. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Wright E, Popat K, Hancher-Hodges S, Owolabi A, Zavala A, Donahue H, Ghebremichael S, Van Meter A, Williams UU, Muthukumar A, Speer B, Kapur, Shrestha LA, Kurian J, Kwater AP Quadratus Lumborum Catheters for Abdominal Wall Analgesia Following DIEP Flap Reconstruction. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Kurian J, Muthukumar A, Popat K, Wright E, Kwater AP Regional Reset: Paravertebral Block for Chronic Pain Following Oncologic Breast Reconstruction. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Wright E, Kwater AP, Lazaris E, Donahue H, Ghebremichael S, Hancher-Hodges S, Owolabi A, Zavala A, Van Meter A, Williams UU, Muthukumar A, Speer BB, Shrestha LA, Kurian J, Popat K Analysis of Postoperative Pain, Opioid Requirements, and Surgical Time in Robotic Cystectomy With or Without Regional Anesthesia. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Wright E, Shrestha L, Kwater AP, Popat K, Van Meter A, Williams UU, Ghebremichael S, Hancher-Hodges S, Donahue H, Owolabi A, Muthukumar A, Speer BB, Shrestha LA, Kurian J, Zavala A External Oblique Intercostal Block: An Alternative Technique for Regional Anesthesia in Oncologic Abdominal Surgery. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Greesen J, Kwater AP, Popat K, Oliver J, Mani J, Faruki AA, Ramirez Manotas M, Owolabi A Combining Blocks for Hip Arthroplasty: PENG, Femoral Nerve, and Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Blocks for Postoperative Analgesia. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Lumsden S, North R, Kwater AP Diagnostic Ultrasound-Guided Regional Blockade to Facilitate Peripheral Schwannoma Resection. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
Editorials
- Kwater, AP, Grant, MC, Gan, TJ. Magnesium and Its Emerging Role in Perioperative Pain Management. Anesthesia & Analgesia 140(1):51-53, 2025. PMID: 39680990.
Abstracts
- Schumann R, Brayanov J, Gupta A, Kwater AP, Bonney I, Howell C, Pivalizaza EG. Association of STOP-BANG Scores or OSA Diagnosis with Postoperative Apnea and Minute Ventilation in an Obese Surgical Population Using Respiratory Volume Monitoring in the PACU. Anesthesia & Analgesia 118:S-242, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Schumann R, MacNabb CM, Al Hassan Q, Bonney I, Kwater AP, Shoham D, Pivalizza EG. Accuracy and Clinical Relevance of Non-Invasive Respiratory Volume Measurements in Obese Surgical Patients. Anesthesia & Analgesia 118:S-315, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Kwater A, Lewis M, Wright E, Popat K, Williams U, Zavala A, Mena G. Percutaneous Intercostal Cryoneurolysis: The Future of Perioperative Analgesia for Thoracic Surgery. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Kurian J, Popat K, Kwater A, Shrestha L, George M, Rivas S, Qadir FA, Shaik G, Zavala A. Facilitating Patient Education of Nurses Utilizing Patient Education Handout. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Owolabi A, Mensah C, Kwater A, Pennycuff J, Huang H, Ramirez M, Tsai E. Brachial Plexus Block for Lymphovenous Bypass Surgery: A Case Report. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Shrestha LA, Kurian J, George M, Qadir FA, Rivas S, Shaik G, Kwater A. Optimizing Clinical Awareness Following Peripheral Nerve Blockade in Orthopedic Oncologic Patients. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Kwater A, Popat K, Faruki A, Shrestha LA, Kurian J. Neuraxial Anesthesia for Amputation of Sarcoma In Setting of Severe Pulmonary Comorbidities. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Tsai E, Owolabi A, Kwater A, Popat K, Donahue H, Hancher-Hodges S, Ghebremichael S, Van Meter A, Williams U, Garcia V, Shrestha L, Kurian J, Zavala A. External Oblique Intercostal Block in Ostomy Patients: Case Reports. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Popat K, Kwater A, Tsai E, Zavala AM, Owolabi A, Nekobar S. Assessment of Post Discharge Pain Complaints to Improve Patient Experience: A Quality Improvement Project. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Muthukumar A, Popat K, Wright E, Yevich S, Kwater AP. Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block Following Cryoablation of Shoulder Fibromatosis. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Lumsden S, Popat K, Wright E, Oliver J, Mani J, Faruki AA, Shrestha LA, Kurian J, Kwater AP. Initiation of Fragility Fracture Protocol to Improve Perioperative Outcomes in Orthopedic Oncology. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Lewis M, Wright E, Williams UU, Popat K, Kwater AP. Percutaneous Cryoneurolysis: A Novel Approach to Managing Post-Surgical Pain in Thoracic Surgery. American Society of Enhanced Recovery (ASER) and Perioperative Medicine Annual Meeting.
- Miller M, Latiolais C, Popovich S, Kwater AP. Perioperative Strategies for Patient with Hereditary Angioedema (HAE): A Case Report. Texas Society of Anesthesiologists (TSA) Annual Meeting.
- Thakar A, Kwater AP, Mani J. Perioperative Management of Curative Pediatric Hemipelvectomy for Ewing's Sarcoma. American Society of Enhanced Recovery (ASER) and Perioperative Medicine Annual Meeting.
- Strang A, Mani J, Mena G, Kwater AP. Severe Anaphylaxis to Remimazolam in Mastocytosis Cancer Patient. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meeting.
- Miller M, Latiolais C, Popovich S, Kwater AP. Perioperative Strategies for Patient with Hereditary Angioedema (HAE): A Case Report. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meeting.
- Garica VA, Reskallah A, Mani JM, Mensah CKB, Shrestha LA, Kurian J, Kwater AP. Fascia Iliaca Catheter for Analgesia and Preoperative Optimization of Pathologic Femur Fracture. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
- Burke C, Shrestha L, Owolabi A, Popat K, Tsai E, Kurian J, Kwater AP. Erector Spinae Plane Block Catheter for Respiratory Rescue Following Open Nephrectomy. American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Annual Meeting.
Book Chapters
- Kwater, AP, Cata, JP. Perioperative Pain Management. In: Basic Sciences in Anesthesia, 2nd Edition, 555-574, 2025.
- Kwater, AP, Cata, JP. Pharmacology. In: Brown's Atlas of Regional Anesthesia, 7th Edition, 3-9, 2024.
- Kwater AP, Donahue, H, Brown, J, Mena, GE. Perioperative Analgesic Management. In: Principles of Gynecologic Oncology Surgery, 2nd Edition, 2024.
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2025. Regional Blocks for Postoperative Pain Management. Invited. 5th Surgical Oncology Advanced Practitioner Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2025. Ultrasound Education - Gastric Ultrasound. Invited. Humanities, Ethics, and Anesthesia Technical Skills (H.E.A.T.). Houston, TX, US.
- 2024. Basics of Regional Anesthesia. MD Anderson Summer Student Lecture Series. Houston, TX, US.
- 2024. Perioperative Pain Management. Invited. Sacro-Pelvic Tumor Study Group Meeting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2023. Local Anesthetics and Regional Anesthesia. MD Anderson Summer Student Lecture Series. Houston, TX, US.
- 2023. Essentials of Anatomy in Anesthesia. Invited. 9th Annual Anesthesia Technician and Technologists Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2023. Global Ventricular Function Assessment (MAPSE/TAPSE). Invited. Basic Focus-Assessed Transthoracic Echocardiography (FATE) Course. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Local Anesthetics and Regional Anesthesia. MD Anderson Summer Student Lecture Series. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Strategies for Postoperative Pain Management: Regional Anesthesia and Multimodal Analgesic Regimens. Invited. LEAP-N Lecture Series. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Spine ERAS: Combining Novel Regional Techniques with Optimized Perioperative Care. Grand Rounds Presentation. Houston, TX, US.
- 2020. Thoracic Erector Spinae Plane Block in Liver Transplant. Grand Rounds Presentation. Houston, TX, US.
- 2020. Erector Spinae Plane Block for Gender-Affirmation Surgery. Grand Rounds Presentation. Houston, TX, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2024. POCUS - Abdominal & Gastric Ultrasound. 2024 Texas Society of Anesthesiologists (TSA) Annual Meeting. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2024. Regional Anesthesia for High-Risk Patient. 2024 Texas Society of Anesthesiologists (TSA) Annual Meeting. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2024. Thoracoabdominal Regional Anesthesia. 2024 Texas Society of Anesthesiologists (TSA) Annual Meeting. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2023. Point of Care Ultrasound & Hemodynamic Monitoring. 2023 Texas Society of Anesthesiologists (TSA) Annual Meeting. Round Rock, TX, US.
- 2023. Basic & Advanced Regional Anesthesia. 2023 Texas Ultrasound Extravaganza. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Point of Care Ultrasound & Hemodynamic Monitoring. 2022 Texas Society of Anesthesiologists (TSA) Annual Meeting. Round Rock, TX, US.
- 2022. Thoracic Wall Blocks. 2022 Texas Society of Anesthesiologists (TSA) Annual Meeting. Round Rock, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2024. Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia Boutique Workshop. Houston, TX, US.
- 2024. Introduction to Perioperative Point-of-Care Ultrasound. Nashville, TN, US.
- 2024. Regional Anesthesia - Upper/Lower Extremity, Chest/Abdominal Wall Blocks. American Society of Enhanced Recovery (ASER) & Periop Medicine. Houston, TX, US.
Formal Peers
- Abdominal Wall Blocks. Houston, TX, US.
- Basic Focus-Assessed Transthoracic Echocardiography (FATE). Houston, TX, US.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified June 30, 2025