Clinical Focus


  • Pulmonary Disease

Academic Appointments


Professional Education


  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine (2023)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine (2014)
  • Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic Graduate Medical Education (2014) OH
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease (2013)
  • Residency: Michigan State University Internal Medicine Residency (2011) MI
  • Internship: Drexel University School of Medicine (2006) PA
  • Medical Education: Gajra Raja Medical College (1997) India

All Publications


  • Alterations in Pulmonary Physiology with Lung Transplantation. Comprehensive Physiology Mohanka, M., Banga, A. 2023; 13 (1): 4269-4293

    Abstract

    Lung transplant is a treatment option for patients with end-stage lung diseases; however, survival outcomes continue to be inferior when compared to other solid organs. We review the several anatomic and physiologic changes that result from lung transplantation surgery, and their role in the pathophysiology of common complications encountered by lung recipients. The loss of bronchial circulation into the allograft after transplant surgery results in ischemia-related changes in the bronchial artery territory of the allograft. We discuss the role of bronchopulmonary anastomosis in blood circulation in the allograft posttransplant. We review commonly encountered complications related to loss of bronchial circulation such as allograft airway ischemia, necrosis, anastomotic dehiscence, mucociliary dysfunction, and bronchial stenosis. Loss of dual circulation to the lung also increases the risk of pulmonary infarction with acute pulmonary embolism. The loss of lymphatic drainage during transplant surgery also impairs the management of allograft interstitial fluid, resulting in pulmonary edema and early pleural effusion. We discuss the role of lymphatic drainage in primary graft dysfunction. Besides, we review the association of late posttransplant pleural effusion with complications such as acute rejection. We then review the impact of loss of afferent and efferent innervation from the allograft on control of breathing, as well as lung protective reflexes. We conclude with discussion about pulmonary function testing, allograft monitoring with spirometry, and classification of chronic lung allograft dysfunction phenotypes based on total lung capacity measurements. We also review factors limiting physical exercise capacity after lung transplantation, especially impairment of muscle metabolism. © 2023 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 13:4269-4293, 2023.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/cphy.c220008

    View details for PubMedID 36715279

  • A Case Report of Breakthrough Infections With 2 SARS-CoV-2 Variants in a Lung Transplant Patient. Transplantation proceedings Mahan, L. D., Mohanka, M. R., Joerns, J., Lawrence, A., Bollineni, S., Kaza, V., Timofte, I., La Hoz, R. M., Sorelle, J., Terada, L. S., Kershaw, C. D., Torres, F., Banga, A. 2022

    Abstract

    A lung transplant (LT) patient developed 2 distinct episodes of COVID-19, confirmed by whole-genome sequencing, which was caused by the Delta, and then followed 6 weeks later, by the Omicron variant. The clinical course with Omicron was more severe, leading us to speculate that Omicron may not be any milder among LT patients. We discuss the potential mechanisms behind the Omicron not being any milder among LT patients and emphasize the need for outcomes data among these patients. Until such data become available, it may be prudent to maintain clinical equipoise as regards the relative virulence of the newer variants among LT patients.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.transproceed.2022.07.003

    View details for PubMedID 36116948