Piotr A. Kwater, 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, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1988 | Jagiellonian University, College of Medicine, Krakow, PL, MD |
Postgraduate Training
| 1996-1998 | Anesthesiology Residency, Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Advanced Clinical Track, Houston, Texas |
| 1995-1995 | Anesthesiology Residency, Anesthesiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky |
| 1994-1995 | Internal Medicine Residency, Internal Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia |
| 1988-1990 | Pediatric Residency/Internship, Pediatrics, Debica General Hospital, Debica |
Licenses & Certifications
| 1999 | American Board of Anesthesiology, Diplomate |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2023
Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2000 - 2010
Instructor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1998 - 2000
Other Professional Positions
Creation of Corneal Abrasion Order Pathway/Order Set, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2019
Instructor, 2018 Annual Texas Society of Anesthesiology, Lost Pines, TX, 2018
Member, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Anesthesia Focus Clinical OR, and Staffing Efficiency Group, Houston, TX, 2017 - 2017
Committee Member, Hand-Off Development Task Force Committee, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2013
Mentor, Faculty Speed Mentoring Event, Houston, TX, 2012
Committee Member, Clinical Productivity Model Committee, Houston, TX, 2012 - Present
Committee Member, Policy and Procedures Committee, Houston, TX, 2012 - Present
Committee Member, Pyxis Anesthesia Station Implementation, Houston, TX, 2009 - 2009
Committee Member, Blood Products Transfusion for Procedures outside O.R, Houston, TX, 2009 - 2009
Committee Member, Alkek O.R. Scheduling Focus Group, Houston, TX, 2007 - 2008
Participation in Preparation of Quarterly Performance Improvement Reports, Performance Improvement Database Analysis and Management of PONV and Postoperative Pain, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2008
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, The Samuel J. Hassenbusch MD, PhD, PRS Leadership & Institutional Service Award Committee, 2024
Member, PRS Clinical Revenue Cycle Committee, 2023 - Present
Member, The Samuel J. Hassenbusch MD, PhD, PRS Leadership & Institutional Service Award Committee, 2023
Elected Representative for the Division of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, PRS Executive Council, 2022 - Present
Member, PRS Faculty Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee, 2021 - 2024
Member, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Sub-committee of the Medical Staff Committee, 2020 - Present
Member, Malignant Hyperthermia Workgroup of the Clinical Effectiveness Committee, 2020 - Present
Senate Committee Member, Faculty Senator, Welfare Committee and Travel Affairs Committee, 2019 - Present
Member, Faculty Senator, 2019 - Present
Member, Malignant Hyperthermia Institutional Committee, 2019 - Present
Member, PRS Retirement Board, 2018 - 2022
Member, Cancer Anesthesia Fellowship Committee, 2018 - Present
Member, Clinical Safety & Effectiveness Certificate, 2018 - 2018
Member, Pediatric Division of Surgery Continuous Quality Improvement subcommittee (DOSCQI), 2018 - Present
Member, Pediatric Surgery Continuous Quality Improvement Committee, 2017 - 2017
Member #3, Clinical Research Committee CRC, 2016 - 2017
Member, Faculty Based Solutions, Clinical Practice Task Force, 2014 - 2014
Member, Travel Advisory Committee for Faculty Senate, 2008 - 2010
Member, Information Technology Committee for Faculty Senate, 2007 - 2010
Department Representative, Faculty Senate, 2007 - 2010
Member, Clinical Research Committee III, 2007 - 2010
Honors & Awards
| 1983 - 1988 | Academic Scholarship Awarded, Jagiellonian University, College of Medicine |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2022. Summer Research Job Fair for MD Anderson Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Discovery Summer Program 2023. Conference. McGovern Medical School. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Virtual Education Program Question & Answer Session. Conference. Texas Society of Anesthesiologists. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Virtual Education Program. Conference. Texas Society of Anesthesiologists. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Improve IR Procedure Room Turn Around by 10% for Anesthesia Cases. Conference. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Anesthetic Components of the Multidisciplinary Enhanced Recovery in Gynecologic Surgery. Conference. Gynecology Grand Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2018. Non-Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring. Conference. Texas Society of Anesthesiology. Lost Pines, TX, US.
- 2018. Anesthetic Implications of An-Ectopic Pancreas. Conference. Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia. Miami, FL, US.
- 2018. Burnout to Brilliance Symposium. Conference. Burnout to Brilliance Physician Wellness Symposium. Tuscon, AZ, US.
- 2018. Preserve Eye Lash Integrity in a Patient with Madarosis in the Perioperative Environment. Conference. International Anesthesia Research Society. Miami, FL, US.
National Presentations
- 2022. Nasal flexible intubation with POM mask: A Case. Invited. Society for Airway Management. Tucson, AZ, US.
- 2022. Multiple techniques to access the airway through a Procedural Oxygen Mask. Invited. Society for Airway Management. Tucson, AZ, US.
- 2019. Timely Discovery of "Coroners Clot" after Extubation, 73rd Post Graduate Assembly in Anesthesiology (PGA). Invited. 73rd Post Graduate Assembly in Anesthesiology (PGA). New York, NY, US.
- 2019. Acute Pain Management after Thoracic Surgery, 2019. Invited. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. New York, NY, US.
- 2015. The effects of lateral positioning and one-lung ventilation on stroke volume variation using pulse contour measurement: a prospective study. Invited. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Washington, DC, US.
- 2008. Intraoperative Hydrocortisone Does Not Have Prophylactic Antiemetic Properties in Female Patients Having Breast Surgery. Conference. Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia Annual Meeting. Miami, FL, US.
- 2007. The Value of Video Laryngoscopy for Double Lumen Tube Placement. Conference. Society for Airway Management Scientific Meeting. Houston, TX, US.
International Presentations
- 2023. Lecture: Lung Isolation Techniques in Patients with Difficult Airway. Invited. 2nd International Symposium Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care of the Cancer Patients, Instituto National de Cancerologia (INCAN). Mexico City, MX.
- 2023. Case report: Coughing back to health? Mucus plugs during PICC line exchange. Invited. Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal Annual Meeting, Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal Annual Meeting, NP.
- 2023. Airway obstruction resulting in inspiratory stridor post-extubation secondary to migrating nasal Foley catheter balloon. Invited. Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal Annual Meeting, Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal Annual Meeting, NP.
- 2023. Lecture: “Management of Difficult Airways in Patients Needing Lung Isolation”. Conference. Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal 22nd Annual Meeting. Kathmandu, NP.
- 2020. Lecture: "Interventional Pulmonary Procedures Outside the Operating Room: Anesthetic Consideration.". Invited. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Nepal India- Lecture Canceled due to COVID surge, IN.
- 2019. Causes of Airway Obstruction during Radiation Therapy under Anesthesia and Airway Maneuvers to Overcome Them, World Airway Management. Invited. World Airway Management (WAMM). Amsterdam, NL.
- 2019. Timely Discovery of "Coroners Clot" after Extubation, World Airway Management Meeting. Invited. World Airway Management Meeting (WAMM). Amsterdam, NL.
- 2019. Lecture: Acute Pain Management after Thoracic Surgery. Invited. 2019 International Multidisciplinary Cancer Conference. Amman, JO.
- 2019. Lecture: Current Concepts in Advanced Airway Management, Grand Rounds at Department of Anesthesiology and Recovery. Invited. Jordan University of Science and Technology. Irbid, JO.
- 2019. Lecture: Acute Pain Management after Thoracic Surgery, 4th International Conference for Anesthetic Care of the Cancer Patient. Invited. National Institute for Neoplastic Diseases. Lima, PE.
- 2019. Lecture: Techniques of One Lung Isolation in Thoracic Surgery. Invited. Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal Annual Meeting. Kathmandu, NP.
- 2018. Lecture: Anesthetic Management of Intraoperative Cardiac Complications. Invited. 3rd International Conference for Anesthetic Care of the Cancer Patient. Lima, PE.
- 2018. Lecture: Anesthetic Management in Robotic Surgery. Invited. 3rd International Conference for Anesthetic Care of the Cancer Patient. Lima, PE.
- 2017. Lecture: Decreased Intraoperative Opioid Consumption Following Introduction of an Enhanced Recovery Program. Invited. BIT's. Barcelona, ES.
- 2015. Anesthetic consideration for a patient wearing a Sternal Occipital Mandibular Immobilizer (SOMI) brace secondary to Neurofibromatosis Type 1. Invited. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dublin, IE.
Formal Peers
- 2018. Anesthetic Management of Intraoperative Cardiac Complications. Visiting. Lima, Lima, PE.
- 2018. Anesthetic Management in Robotic Surgery. Visiting. Lima, Lima, PE.
- 2017. Anesthesia Airway Equipment for General and Thoracic Surgery. Visiting. Houston, TX, US.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Idowu, O, Ifeanyi-Pillette, IC, Owusu-Agyemang, P, Holmes, AA, Kwater, PA, Jackson, TA, Mena, GE, Lasala, J, Singh Heir, J. The quantra hemostasis analyzer compared to thromboelastography (TEG) in the surgical oncologic population. Journal of surgical oncology 124(5):894-905, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34137038.
- Idowu O, Ifeanyi-Pillette I, Owusu-Agyemang P, Holmes A, Kwater P, Jackson T, Mena G, Lasala J, Heir JS. The Quantra Hemostasis Analyzer Compared to Thromboelastography (TEG) In the Surgical Oncologic Population: "A Prospective Observational Trial". Journal of Surgical Oncology, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Konda P, Ai D, Guerra CE, Rodriquez-Restrepo A, Mehran RJ, Rice DC, Hoffstetter WL, Heir JS, Kwater P, Gottumukkala VJ, Hernandez M, Cata JP. Identification of Risk Factors Associated with Post-Operative Acute Kidney Injury After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer. Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia 31(2):474-481, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Lasala J, l M, Nick A, Ramirez P, Mena G, Cata J, Gottumukkala V, Kwater P, Hancher-Hodges S, Cain K, Harris M, Palmer L. Implementation of An Advanced Recovery After Gynecologic Oncology Surgery Pathway; Improving Compliance with Key Elements of Preoperative Care. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia 62(6):712, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
Professional Educational Materials
- Idowu O, Ifeanyi-Pillette I, Owusu-Agyemang P, Holmes A, Kwater P, Jackson T, Mena G, Lasala J, Heir JS. (TEG) In the Surgical Oncologic Population: "A Prospective Observational Trial". Journal of Surgical Oncology (J Surg Oncol, 2021.
Abstracts
- Kwater P. Case report: Coughing back to health? Mucus plugs during PICC line exchange. Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal Annual Meeting, Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal Annual Meeting, Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Kwater P. Case Report: Airway obstruction resulting in inspiratory stridor post-extubation secondary to migrating nasal Foley catheter balloon. Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal Annual Meeting, Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal Annual Meeting, Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Ajith A Gamez A, Casarez V, Zavala A, Owusu-Agyemang P, Idowu T, Kwater P, Kapoor R. Protocol for patients with COVID receiving proton therapy. 12th European Congress for Pediatric Anesthesiology, Lisbon, Portugal, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Kwater P. Management of a Peripheral Intravenous Catheter that was Misplaced in the Artery A. American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting, Meeting 2022, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Sansguiri A, Zavala A, Tsai J, Huynh T, Idowu T, Owusu-Agyemang P, Kwater P, Huynh L, Tomongha I, Porche V. Management of a Peripheral Intravenous Catheter that was Misplaced in the Artery. American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting, New Orleans, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Roland G, Kapoor A, Zavala A, Muthukumar A, Kwater P, Owusu-Agyemang P, Hurst D, Porche V. Multiple techniques to access the airway through a Procedural Oxygen Mask (POM). Society of Airway Management Annual Meeting, Tucson, AZ, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Gamez A, Ajith A, Casarez V, Porche V, Zavala A, Kwater P, Kapoor R. Monkeypox: What to Know in the Perioperative Setting. Education and Research Day Dept. of Anesthesiology, Critical care, and Pain Medicine MD Anderson Cancer Center. Winner of the 1st place in education category, Houston, TX, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Brown J, Zorrilla-Vaca A, Lasala J, Williams W, Jackson T, Heir JS, Idowu O, Ifeanyi-Pillette I, Kwater P, Mirza K, Calderon TM, Norman P, Potylchansky E, Purugganan R, Thakar D, Tsai J, Vachanni S, Wright C, Mena G. Comparing Pain Between Robotic-Assisted Thoracic Surgery versus Open Thoracotomy in an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Program for Lobectomies: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis. RAMSES (Robotic Assisted Microsurgical and Endoscopic Society), 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Lasala J, Zorrilla-Vaca A, Brown J, Williams W, Jackson T, Heir JS, Idowu O, Ifeanyi-Pillette I, Kwater P, Mirza K, Calderon TM, Norman P, Potylchansky E, Purugganan R, Thakar D, Tsai J, Vachanni S, Wright C, Mena G. Robotic-Assisted Esophagectomy versus Open Esophagectomy in an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Program and impact on In-Hospital Opioid Consumption. RAMSES (Robotic Assisted Microsurgical and Endoscopic Society), 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Zorrilla-Vaca A, Ensor J, Kwater P, Mirza K, Moon T, Lim J, Ruiz JF, Vacchani S, Brown J, Mena GE. 2020 AATS (International Thoracic Surgical Oncology Summit). The Changes of Pulse Contour Measurements and Hemodynamic Variations in Thoracic Surgery Under Lateral Decubitus Positioning and One-Lung Ventilation, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Zorrilla-Vaca A, Ensor J, Kwater P, Mirza K, Moon TC, Lim J, Ruiz JR, Vacchani S, Brown J, Mena G. Changes of Pulse Contour Measurements and Hemodynamic Variations in Thoracic Surgery Under Lateral Decubitus Positioning and One-Lung Ventilation. Presented at 2020 International Thoracic Surgical Oncology Summit by the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, Virtual Conference, October 16-17, 2020, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Mena G, Lim J, Vachhani S, Lasala J, Kwater P, Brown J, Obeidat SS. Emergency Off-Pump Pulmonary Thrombectomy During Radical Nephrectomy for Renal Cell Cancer: The Role of Transesophageal Echocardiography. 73rd Post-Graduate Assembly in Anesthesiology, New York City, New York, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Kwater P, McAleer M, Zavala Acsa AM, Owusu-Agyemang P, West C, Winter E, Casares V, Van-Meter A A, Pham V, Ferson D D. Causes of Airway Obstruction during Radiation Therapy under Anesthesia and Airway Maneuvers to Overcome Them. World Airway Management Meeting (WAMM), Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Kwater P, Winter E, Bailard N, Nguyen L, Cerny J. Timely Discovery of "Coroners Clot" after Extubation. World Airway Management Meeting (WAMM), Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Urso C, Laserna A, Nguyen L, Zavala AM, Law L, Fowler C, Bailard N, Kwater P. Yoga as an Antidote to Burnout and Related Disorders for Healthcare Providers. Literature Review, Burnout to Brilliance Physician Wellness Symposium, San Diego, CA, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Nguyen L, Hagan K, Kwater P, Hancher-Hodges S, Parikh S, Rubin L. Should Laboratory Tests be Obtained Before Outpatient Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Procedures in Cancer Patients?. International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) Montreal, Quebec, Canada Annual Meeting 2019, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Heir JS, Kwater P. Video; Double Lumen Endobronchial Tubes can forewarn dislodgement, thereby enhance patient safety in Robotic Thoracic Surgery. Euroanasethesia 2018 Congress (Copenhagen, Denmark)(709), 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Nguyen L, Rebello E, Vu C, Bailard N, Bellard B, Kwater P. A Technique to Preserve Eyelash Integrity in a Patient with Madarosis in the Perioperative Environment. 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia, Miami, FL, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Nguyen L, Rebello E, Vu C, Bailard N, Bellard B, Kwater P. Anesthetic Implications of an Ectopic Pancreas. 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia, Miami, FL, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Nguyen L, Bailard N, Vu-C, Kwater P, McHugh T, Kowalski A. Bullying and Disruptive Behavior in the Perioperative Environment. Burnout to Brilliance Physician Symposium, Tucson, AZ, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Guo S, Heir JS, Lasala J, Kwater P, Mirza K, Potylchanksy E, Mena G. Video; Double Lumen Endobronchial Tubes Can Forewarn Dislodgement and Enhance Patients’ Safety in Robotic Thoracic Surgery. American Society of Anesthesiologists. San Francisco, CA, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Konda P, Ai D, Guerra CE, Rodriguez-Restrepo A, Mehran RJ, Rice D, Hofstetter W, Heir J, Kwater P, Gottumukkala V, Hernandez M, Cata JP. Identification of Risk Factors Associated with Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury after Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 31(2):474-481, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 27720491.
- Mena G, Kwater P, Lasala J, Ramirez P, Rahlfs T, Soliz J, Rodriguez A. Implementation of an Enhanced Surgical Recovery Program (ESRP) in Gynecologic Oncology: How much did Intra-Operative Opioid Administration Decrease in First Year Post Implementation?. Post Graduate Assembly in Anesthesiology (PGA- New York), 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Lasala J, Nick A, Ramirez P, Meyer L, Cain K, Munsell M, Iniesta M, Ifeayni I, Singh J, Moon T, Kwater P, Tsai J, Vachhani S, Cata J, Mena G. Decreased Intra-operative Opioid Consumption following Institution of Enhanced Recovery Program in Open Gynecologic Surgery. Gynecologic Oncology 141(2):2018, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Kwater P. Decreased Intra-operative Opioid consumption following institution of enhanced recovery program in open gynecologic surgery. Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO), 47th Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer, San Diego March 19-22, 2016. Featured Poster, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Kwater P, Zavala A, Williams U, Van-Meter A, Hsu P, Owusu-Agyemang P. Anesthetic consideration for a patient wearing a Sternal Occipital Mandibular Immobilizer (SOMI), brace secondary to Neurofibromatosis Type 1. World Airway Management Meeting, Dublin, Ireland, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Lasala J, l M, Nick A, Ramirez P, Mena G, Cata J, Gottumukkala V, Kwater P, Hancher-Hodges S, Cain K, Harris M, Palmer L. Implementation of an Advanced Recovery after Gynecologic Oncology Surgery Pathway; Improving Compliance with Key Elements of Preoperative Care. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia 62(6):712, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Lasala J, l M, Nick A, Ramirez P, Gottumukkala V, Cata J, Mena G, Kwater P, Hancher-Hodges S, Cain K, Harris M, Palmer L. Implementation of an Advanced Recovery after Gynecologic Oncology Surgery Pathway; Improving Compliance with Key Elements of Preoperative Care. World Congress of Enhanced after Surgery and Perioperative Medicine; Washington DC, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Lasala JD, Ifeanyi IC, Calderon TM, Heir JS, Cain KE, Meyer LA, Iniesta-Donate M, Ramirez PT, Kwater P, Nick AM. Decreased Intra-operative Opioid consumption following Enhanced Recovery after Gynecologic Surgery. World Congress of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery and Perioperative Medicine, Washington D.C, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Kwater P, Moon T, Tsai J, Vachhani S, Ensor J, Mena G. The Effects of Lateral Positioning and One Lung Ventilation on Stroke Volume Variation Using Pulse Contour Measurements. A Prospective Study, 37th Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Mena G, Lasala J, Ramirez P, Rahlfs T, Soliz, Rodriguez A, Kwater P. Implementation of an Advanced Recovery After Gynecologic Oncology Surgery Pathway: Compliance to Protocol Elements, Pre-emptive Analgesia and Deep Venous Thrombosis Prophylaxis. Global Academic Programs Conference, Houston Texas, April 2015, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Kwater P, Ruiz J, Brydges G, Ensor J, Riedel B. Intraoperative Hydrocortisone Does Not Have Prophylactic Antiemetic Properties in Female Patients Having Breast Surgery. Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Kwater P, Purugganan RV, Riedel B, Norman PH, Thakar D, Jackson TA, Heir J, Mena G, Mirza K, Cerny J, Ferson D. Video Laryngoscopy Improves Ease of Double Lumen Tube Placement. Society for Airway Management Scientific Meeting, 2007. e-Pub 2007.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 03, 2025