PRESENTATIONS
February 2016 International Stroke Conference
Los Angeles, CA
Faster Start of IV tPA Does Not Decrease the Need for Endovascular Thrombectomy
in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Chhabra et. al
April 2015 American Academy of Neurology Annual Conference
Washington, DC
Psychiatric Symptoms as a Predictor of Outcome in Patients with Post-Concussive Syndrome
Arun Chhabra, MD, Allison Weathers, MD, Bichun Ouyang, PhD
RESEARCH
August 2015 Faster Start of IV tPA Does Not Decrease the Need for Endovascular
Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke
In a prospectively maintained registry, I identified patients receiving
IV tPA at 2 academic medical centers from March 2005 – May 2015.
For this analysis I used the inclusion criteria of a target large artery
occlusion seen on CTA or MRA before (or early during) infusion of IV tPA,
and the performance of follow-up vessel imaging within 6h of IV tPA start,
using CT, MR or catheter angiogram. Degree of thrombus lysis achieved
by IV tPA was rated using the arterial occlusive lesion (AOL) Scale.The
goal of the study was to determine if faster times to the administration
of tPA after symptom onset would obviate the need for endovascular therapy.
April 2014 Psychiatric Symptoms as a Predictor of Outcome in Patients with
Post-Concussive Syndrome, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
I performed a retrospective chart review of patients with the diagnosis
of concussion or post-concussive syndrome that were seen at our institution
over a 15 month period. Patients 16-75 years old who had suffered a concussion
within 4 months prior to their clinic visit were included. Patients were
excluded if they had a previous diagnosis of a psychiatric illness or
suffered an intracranial bleed or skull/facial fracture while sustaining
their concussion. Patients who exhibited the psychiatric symptoms of irritability,
depression, anxiety, or changes in mood within 1 month after their concussion
were compared to those who did not. The goal of the study was to determine
if psychiatric symptoms experienced in the acute or subacute phase would
portend a worse prognosis and longer recovery.
October 2013 Utility of PFA Testing after Stent-Coil Aneurysm Repair
Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
I retrospectively reviewed the last 100 stent placements done by two of
our neuro-interventional attendings at Rush University using our electronic
medical record. One attending performs PFA testing on all of his patients
and makes adjustments to anti-platelet regimens accordingly and the other
never performs PFA testing. I then retrospectively compared outcomes amongst
the patients who received PFA testing versus those who didn’t. More
specifically, I looked at the rate of thromboembolic complications and
the rate of mild, moderate to severe hemorrhage in both populations. Ultimately
I hoped to prove or disprove a need for PFA testing in patients with stent-coil
treatment of their intracranial aneurysms.
September 2012 Biomarkers for Cerebral Aneurysm Formation
Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
I first reviewed the pathophysiology of cerebral aneurysm formation and the
current role of biomarkers in the literature for tracking aneurysm development.
We then postulated that elastase, lipoprotein A, MMP (gelatinase), homocysteine
and plasmin correlated with aneurysm rupture. After receiving funding for
lab work, we plan to enroll patients who have acutely undergone aneurysm
rupture and compare their biomarker values to the serum values 6-months
post coiling. We plan to compare this to controls and those with non-ruptured, unsecured
aneurysms to hopefully find a range of values for each biomarker that could
predict pending aneurysm rupture.
August 2004 Brain Perfusion Characteristics of Cerebral Catheters
UVA Mechanical Engineering Dept, Charlottesville, VA
As part of my capstone engineering project, I tested the perfusion characteristics
of various catheters upon infusion into cerebral tissue gels. Agarose
gels were prepared weekly that had been shown, based on previous studies,
to accurately simulate the properties of brain tissue. Different types
of catheters were supplied to us by local biomedical companies and the
perfusion characteristics of each catheter was tested by infusion into
the model gels. The ultimate goal was to find an ideal catheter for chemotherapy
infusion into brain tissue so that chemotherapy could be accurately targeted
to the site of interest without harming healthy, normal tissue. I presented
my findings in an undergraduate thesis.
November 2003 Epidemiological Studies in Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Research Center, UVA Hospital, Charlottesville, VA
Spent 10-15 hours a week working at the Breast Cancer center performing
database entry of patient files into Microsoft Access. Each patient’s
epidemiological data was entered and trends in those with breast cancer
were identified. These trends were statistically analyzed with the goal
of identifying risk factors and predictors of breast cancer so as to prevent
its future occurrence.
EMPLOYMENT
Jan 2008 – May 2009 Student Escort,
Eastern VA Medical School, Norfolk, VA
As an employee of the EVMS Office of Security, I escorted health profession
students from the school to their home.
Feb 2007 – July 2007 ESPN Productions Assistant,
ESPN Campus, Bristol, CT
Controlled wire copy flow, coordinated graphics information, ran teleprompter
data, and screened sporting events for highlight video.
Aug 2005–Feb 2007 Patent Examiner,
US Patent and Trademark Office, Alexandria, VA Reviewed biomedical patent applications by performing
database searches for prior art and corresponded with attorneys for the
approval of patents.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
March 2010Co-Organizer, Haiti Awareness Night
Organized an event where physicians who had traveled to Haiti before, during
and after the disaster, spoke to students, faculty and the EVMS community
about their experiences and how people could help both physically and fiscally.
June 2008
Camp Counselor, Camp Bruce McCoy
Was a counselor at a summer camp for traumatic brain injury survivors.
At the camp, I organized activities for the campers and assisted those
afflicted with severe brain injuries with their activities of daily living.
April 2008 – May 2011Volunteer, Community Care Day
Ran blood pressure, cholesterol and depression screenings for Norfolk community
members at a local YMCA. I also helped educate the community on the proper
exercise, diet and nutrition to live healthy lives.
March 2008 – March 2011Volunteer, Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team
For one week per year, I helped run a homeless shelter in Norfolk. I would
assist in managing the shelter overnight and preparing dinner, breakfast
and the next day’s lunch for shelter inhabitants.
August 2007 – March 2011Honduras Medical Brigade, International Medicine Society
Organized and planned a medical brigade of over 40 students, pharmacists
and physicians by gathering medical equipment, supplies and medications.
In Honduras, we formed traveling medical clinics and each day treated
patients at different rural underserved communities around the country.
August 2007-May 2011Student Physician, My HOPE Free Clinic
Volunteered monthly as a junior clinician at our student-run free clinic.
August 2007 – May 2009Mentor, EVMS Mentoring Society
Made weekly visits to a third grade student at a local elementary school
and engaged in monthly outings with my him to various locations around the city.
Sep 2006 – Feb 2007Volunteer, Unity Health Care Inc.
I spent 4-5 hours a week volunteering at family practice clinics in Washington
D.C. and Virginia. During clinic, I shadowed physicians, took blood pressure
readings, performed auditory and visual exams, read to children as they
sat in the waiting room, and made phone call reminders to patients about
upcoming appointments.
ACTIVITIES
August 2007-May 2011Class President, MD Class of 2011
Duties as president of my medical school class included planning class
events and meeting with administrators, hospital physicians and faculty
to address class needs. I also aided in running our charity auction, and
organizing our class ski trip, class dance socials and class sporting events.
August 2007 – May 2011Co-president, Neural Groove
I was co-president and soloist for the EVMS acappella group that practiced
weekly and performed monthly at Dean’s Hour as well as at school
receptions, community events, and graduation.
August 2007 – May 2011Student Coordinator, Intramural Sports
Organized the EVMS participation in Old Dominion University’s intramural
leagues. I myself also actively took part in sports throughout the year.
August 2007 – May 2009Volunteer, Medical Explorers
Volunteered once a month to teach high school students about anatomy, the
brain and medicine when they came to our school for an evening field trip.
August 2007 – May 2009Volunteer, Project SMILE
Attended monthly outings with cancer patients and their families, and was
assigned to an individual afflicted with cancer and their family to guide
them through their difficult time.
August 2007 – May 2009Member, Operation SMILE
As a student member of the national organization that fixes cleft lips
and palates of patients in impoverished countries around the world, I
fundraised and volunteered at the national headquarters in Norfolk, VA.
August 2007 – May 2008Student Member, Admissions Committee
Interviewed applicants 4-5 times a month and discussed their attributes
with physicians, faculty and scientists on a 3-team panel to determine
whether or not a candidate would gain acceptance into our medical school.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
2012 – present American Academy of Neurology, Resident
2012 – present American Neurological Association, Resident
2007 – present American Medical Association, Resident
INTERESTS
Basketball, soccer, football, golf, singing, writing music, traveling,
dancing, playing trumpet