Clinical Focus


  • Anesthesia
  • Thoracic Anesthesia

Academic Appointments


Professional Education


  • Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1995) MD
  • Board Certification: The Royal College of Anaesthetists, Anesthesia (1982)
  • Fellowship: University of Aberdeen (1994) Scotland
  • Residency: Preston Royal Infirmary (1980) UK
  • Medical Education: St John's Medical College (1978) India
  • Residency: Whittington Hospital (1984) England
  • Residency: Manchester Royal Infirmary (1983) England

2023-24 Courses


All Publications


  • Anesthesia considerations for robotic thoracic surgery VIDEO-ASSISTED THORACIC SURGERY Ruan, A., Kulkarni, V. 2020; 5
  • Single-Lumen Endotracheal Tube and Bronchial Blocker for Airway Management During Tracheobronchoplasty for Tracheobronchomalacia: A Case Report. A&A practice Lui, N. S., Guo, H. H., Sung, A. W., Peterson, A., Kulkarni, V. N. 2019

    Abstract

    We present a case of a 69-year-old man who underwent tracheobronchoplasty for tracheobronchomalacia using a single-lumen endotracheal tube and a Y-shaped bronchial blocker for airway management. Tracheobronchoplasty is performed by sewing mesh to plicate the posterior, membranous wall of the distal trachea and main bronchi through a right posterolateral thoracotomy. The goals of airway management include continuous left-lung ventilation and lung protection from aspiration. Ideally, only conventional airway management tools are used. This case demonstrates that a single-lumen endotracheal tube with a bronchial blocker can be a straightforward strategy for airway management during tracheobronchoplasty.

    View details for DOI 10.1213/XAA.0000000000001076

    View details for PubMedID 31385817

  • Failure to Isolate the Right Lung with an EZ-Blocker. A & A case reports Obaidi, R. A., O'Hear, K. E., Kulkarni, V. N., Brodsky, J. B., Shrager, J. B. 2014; 3 (8): 110-111

    View details for DOI 10.1213/XAA.0000000000000056

    View details for PubMedID 25611759

  • Reinforcement Learning for Closed-Loop Propofol Anesthesia: A Study in Human Volunteers JOURNAL OF MACHINE LEARNING RESEARCH Moore, B. L., Pyeatt, L. D., Kulkarni, V., Panousis, P., Padrez, K., Doufaas, A. G. 2014; 15: 655-696
  • "Where Are My Teeth?" A Case of Unnoticed Ingestion of a Dislodged Fixed Partial Denture ANESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA Lau, G., Kulkarni, V., Roberts, G. K., Brock-Utne, J. 2009; 109 (3): 836-838

    Abstract

    What are the dangers of swallowing foreign bodies of dental origin? How do we recognize when a patient has actually swallowed a dental appliance? How far should we pursue the retrieval of the appliance? We report a case of a patient with unnoticed ingestion of a dislodged fixed partial denture while undergoing general anesthesia and review the literature on dangers of swallowing foreign bodies of dental origin. Anesthesiologists should understand the dangers and recognize this complication when it happens, so that appropriate treatment can be pursued if necessary.

    View details for DOI 10.1213/ane.0b013e3181ae06c9

    View details for PubMedID 19690255

  • Isolation of the right upper-lobe with a left-sided double-lumen tube after left-pneumonectomy ANESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA Scholten, K. J., Kulkarni, V., Brodsky, J. B. 2007; 105 (2): 330-331

    Abstract

    A patient with a prior left pneumonectomy required surgical drainage of a right upper lobe aspergilloma. A left double-lumen endobronchial tube was placed in the right bronchus intermedius, isolating the right upper lobe while allowing ventilation of the right middle and lower lobes.

    View details for DOI 10.1213/01.ane.0000270106.22502.e2

    View details for Web of Science ID 000248343400008

    View details for PubMedID 17646485

  • Anesthesia for thoracic surgery in morbidly obese patients. Current opinion in anaesthesiology Lohser, J., Kulkarni, V., Brodsky, J. B. 2007; 20 (1): 10-14

    Abstract

    This review considers the anesthetic management of obese patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Extremely or morbidly obese patients differ from patients of normal weight in several ways. Obese patients have altered anatomy and physiology, and usually have associated comorbid medical conditions that may complicate their operative course and increase their risks for postoperative complications.During anesthetic induction and laryngoscopy for tracheal intubation the morbidly obese patient should be in the reverse Trendelenburg position with the head and neck elevated above the table. Placement of a double-lumen tube should be no more difficult in an obese patient than in a normal-weight patient. There are no clear advantages for any of the commonly available inhalational anesthetic agents and each can be used for general anesthesia.With proper attention to their special needs, the morbidly obese patient can safely undergo thoracic surgery and one-lung ventilation.

    View details for PubMedID 17211160

  • Anesthesia for thoracic surgery in morbidly obese patients CURRENT OPINION IN ANESTHESIOLOGY Lohser, J., Kulkarni, V., Brodsky, J. B. 2007; 20 (1): 10-14

    Abstract

    This review considers the anesthetic management of obese patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Extremely or morbidly obese patients differ from patients of normal weight in several ways. Obese patients have altered anatomy and physiology, and usually have associated comorbid medical conditions that may complicate their operative course and increase their risks for postoperative complications.During anesthetic induction and laryngoscopy for tracheal intubation the morbidly obese patient should be in the reverse Trendelenburg position with the head and neck elevated above the table. Placement of a double-lumen tube should be no more difficult in an obese patient than in a normal-weight patient. There are no clear advantages for any of the commonly available inhalational anesthetic agents and each can be used for general anesthesia.With proper attention to their special needs, the morbidly obese patient can safely undergo thoracic surgery and one-lung ventilation.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000209632400003

  • Securing the airway of a 'super sized' patient: another use for the Aintree Catheter (R) EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ANAESTHESIOLOGY Schmiesing, C., Collins, J., Ottestad, E., Kulkarni, V., Brock-Utne, J. 2006; 23 (12): 1064-1066

    View details for Web of Science ID 000242303600016

    View details for PubMedID 17042968