Dr Prashanth Raju is an experienced Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Kettering General Hospital. He is also a cardiologist at Three Shires Hospital in Northampton.

He has been involved in innovative service developments and was one of the first in the country to use the shockwave lithotripsy heart procedure in treating complex calcified coronary disease.

Training and Qualifications

Dr Raju obtained Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) from the Royal College of Physicians, London, in 2006. He is dual accredited in Internal Medicine and Cardiology.
His specialist postgraduate training in cardiology was undertaken in the East Midlands region, including:

• Grantham
• Derby
• Glenfield
• Lincoln Hospitals

Dr Raju was awarded Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in 2016 by the General Medical Council (GMC), London.

He undertook high-volume coronary intervention during his Interventional Fellowship at Kettering General Hospital.

Clinical Practice

Dr Raju’s training and experience encompass the full breadth of cardiology, with a special interest in interventional cardiology.

His practice includes the management of a wide range of cardiac conditions, particularly:

• Ischaemic heart disease (angina and prevention of heart attacks)
• Percutaneous coronary intervention (routine and complex angioplasty and stenting)
• Investigation of cardiac causes of stroke
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Valvular heart disease
• Heart failure

He also has a strong interest in assessing symptoms such as:

• Palpitations
• Dizzy spells
• Blackouts
• Chest pain
• Breathlessness

Innovation and Recognition

In recognition of his services, Dr Raju has been awarded a Clinical Excellence Award by Kettering NHS Trust.

He has featured in:

• National ITV
• BBC Radio Northampton

These appearances relate to his work on innovative approaches in treating heart conditions.

His work has also been recognised in publications including:

• Northamptonshire Telegraph
• The Daily Mail (“Me and My Operation” case study)

• Coronary angiography – obtaining X-ray images of heart blood supply using contrast dye
• Coronary angioplasty/stenting – treating blockages with flexible scaffolds
• Coronary pressure wire studies – assessing whether stenting is beneficial
• Intra-coronary ultrasound – detailed imaging inside the coronary arteriesCoronary/ischaemic heart disease (angina)
• Heart attacks (myocardial infarction)
• Palpitations, arrhythmias and irregular heartbeat
• Dizzy spells, blackouts and syncope
• Implantable loop recorder (implant and explant)
• High cholesterol
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Atrial fibrillation
• Breathlessness, leg swelling, oedema and heart failure
• Diseases of the heart valves

Research Interests

• Co investigator in major International randomized controlled clinical trials. Special interest in coronary disease, angioplasty, blood thinner medication after heart attack. Trial involved in recently – ERIC PPCI, TWILIGHT, Pressure Wire.

• Intervention Cardiology Consultant at Kettering General Hospital

• British Cardiovascular Intervention Society Member (BCIS No 4332)
• Euro PCR Companion membership (No 207378)
• British Cardiovascular Society Member (BCS No 3340)

Current NHS and /or University Posts

• Intervention Cardiology Consultant at Kettering General Hospital

Articles in local and National Media

• ME & MY OPERATION: Unblock arteries and get home faster with a new sonic blaster, 29 July 2019
• Pioneering heart procedure performed at KGH, 22 Nov 2018
• Kettering General Hospital using sonic waves to help prevent heart attacks, 17 Dec 2018
• Exclusive Interview: Dr Prashanth Raju, Interventional Cardiologist, Kettering General Hospital, 8 Oct 202

Publiations

• Prognostic Importance of Tissue Velocity Imaging during exercise echocardiography in patients with systolic heart failure. JV Zalen, NR Patel, SJ Podd, P Raju et al. Echo Research and Practice 2015 Vol. 2, issue 1
• Aortic valve calcification – a commonly observed but frequently ignored finding during CT scanning of the chest. P Raju et al Int J Clin Pract, June 2012, 66, 6, 552–555
• Aortic Valve Disease on CT Examination of the Chest: A Missed Opportunity. Raju P, Sallomi D, Patel N, Lloyd G. Br J Hosp Medicine 2011:72(8): 470 - 471
• Severe rheumatic mitral stenosis in a young Caucasian man: A forgotten entity Raju P, Rao GK, Morrison L, et al. Int J of Case Reports and Images. 2011; 2(3):9-11
• Pericardial Effusion in patients with Schizophrenia. Are they on clozapine? P Raju, G K Rao, G Davis. Emerg. Med. J. June 2008; 25 (6): 383-384
• Exercise induced contractile reserve is a good predictor of postoperative functional capacity in severe mitral regurgitation patients undergoing mitral valve repair.
• P. Raju et al J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2010 May;23(5):B70
• Stress echocardiography predicts post operative functional capacity in severe mitral regurgitation patients undergoing mitral valve repair. P. Raju, R.A.McIntosh, J. Silberbauer et al Eur J Echocardiogr 2010; 11(suppl 2):P720
• Use of Composite cardiovascular risk calculator in current practice. P Raju, GK Rao, et al Eur. Heart J., September 2008; 29: 505 – 732
• Cardiac Metastasis- an unusual cause of left atrial massS Koo, P Raju, G Davis, Coronary Heart Journal, issue 17, page 12-13, March 2009
• Average Basal Left Ventricular Systolic Velocity Is The Best Echocardiographic Predictor of Cardiovascular Exercise Capacity. McIntosh RA, Raju P, et al, Echo 2009; 68:28-29.
• Use of the Joint British Society cardiovascular risk calculator before initiating statins for primary prevention in hospital medicine: experience from a large university teaching hospital. Garg P, Raju P, Sondej E, et al, Int J Gen Med. 2010 Nov 19;3: 379-82.