Dr. Chhabra only sees inpatients.
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 – to 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. The 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 antiplatelet 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 were 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 homes.
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 the 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 2010
Co-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 2011
Volunteer, 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 2011
Volunteer, 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 2011
Honduras 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 2011
Student Physician, My HOPE Free Clinic
Volunteered monthly as a junior clinician at our student-run free clinic.
August 2007 – May 2009
Mentor, EVMS Mentoring Society
Made weekly visits to a third-grade student at a local elementary school and engaged in monthly outings with him to various locations around the city.
Sep 2006 – Feb 2007
Volunteer, Unity Health Care Inc.
I spent 4-5 hours a week volunteering at family practice clinics in Washington D.C. and Virginia. During the 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 2011
Class 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 2011
Co-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 2011
Student 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 2009
Volunteer, 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 2009
Volunteer, 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 2009
Member, 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 2008
Student 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
