Department of Cardiac Anesthesiology

Welcome to the Department of Cardiac Anesthesiology at Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre (SGNHC), Nepal's National referral center for cardiac care. The Department of Cardiac Anesthesiology provides anesthetic care for patients undergoing cardiothoracic and vascular procedures at Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre (SGNHC). 

Our Mission & Vision

VISION

Consistent, safe anesthetic care for every cardiac surgical patient at SGNHC, and a department that other centers in Nepal look to for training in cardiac anesthesiology.

MISSION

• To provide safe and effective anesthesia for cardiac surgical patients.
• To train anesthesiologists in cardiac sub-specialization through structured rotations and fellowships.
• To support clinical research and quality-improvement work within the department.

Clinical Services

The department provides anesthesia for procedures carried out in the operating room:

• Adult cardiac surgery: CABG, valve replacement/repair, and aortic procedures.
• Pediatric cardiac surgery for neonates, infants, and children with complex congenital heart defects.
• Major vascular surgery, including complex thoracic and aortic cases.
• Perioperative trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE)
• Advanced intraoperative monitoring using pulmonary artery catheters, point-of-care ultrasound.

Meet the team

Our team comprises highly skilled cardiac anesthesiologists and their expertise forms the backbone of our safe and efficient services.

 HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

Dr. Ashish Govinda Amatya, MD

Professor (NAMS) Consultant Cardiac Anesthesiologist

Fellowship in Cardiothoracic and vascular Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (IJN) (2016-2017)

Fellowship in ECMO, The Simulation Society, India (2021-2022)

Fellowship In ECHOCARDIOGRPHY, The Simulation Society, India (2020-2021)

ANESTHESIOLOGIST

Dr. Smriti Mahaju Bajracharya, MD

Assistant Professor (NAMS)                                                                                                                                                                              

Fellowship in Cardiothoracic Intensive Care, NUH, Singapore (2013-2014)                                                                                        

Fellowship in ECMO, The Simulation Society, India (2021-2022)                                                                                                            

Fellowship In ECHOCARDIOGRPHY, The Simulation Society, India (2020-2021)

 ANESTHESIOLOGIST

Dr. Sandip Bhandari, MD

Assistant Professor (NAMS)                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Fellowship in Cardiothoracic Intensive Care, NUH, Singapore(2013-2014)                                                                                      

 Fellowship in Adult Cardiac Critical Care, The Simulation Society, India (2020-2021)                                                                                                            

 Fellowship In ECMO, The Simulation Society, India (2021-2022)                                                                                                              

Master in Healthcare Management,PU (ONGOING)

 REGISTRAR

Dr. Santosh Sharma Parajuli, MD

Associate Professor (NAMS)                                                                                                                                                                        

 Fellowship in Pediatrics Cardiac Anesthesia and ICU, KDAH, India (2025-2026)

 REGISTRAR

Dr. Abhay Khadka, MD

 REGISTRAR

Dr. Subigya Sitaula, MD

REGISTRAR

Dr. Sarita Thapa, MD

Academic & Training Programs

As a national referral center, the department is involved in training anesthesiologists at different stages:

• Fellowship in cardiac anesthesiology for post-MD anesthesiologists pursuing sub-specialization.
• Residency Training -Residency rotations in cardiac anesthesia.
• Regular academic sessions, case discussions, journal clubs, and morbidity-mortality reviews.

Research & Publications

The department is actively engaged in clinical research to improve perioperative care. Faculty members regularly present their work at national and international scientific meetings and contribute in the field of cardiac anesthesiology and perioperative medicine.

 Current areas of clinical research within the department include:

• Hemodynamic monitoring and perioperative optimization.
• Pharmacological strategies for myocardial protection.
• Pediatric cardiac anesthetic outcomes and perioperative outcomes.
• Perioperative risk stratification and outcome prediction in cardiac surgery.
• Nutritional status and its impact on postoperative outcomes following cardiac surgery.
• Perioperative echocardiography and cardiovascular imaging.
• Blood conservation and patient blood management strategies.
• Quality improvement, patient safety and perioperative clinical outcomes.