Dr. Refai Showkathali

Dr Refai Showkathali is a Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist in Chennai. With 27 years of experience, he currently practises at Apollo Hospital on Greams Road.

His clinical experience encompasses complex high-risk indicated percutaneous coronary interventions (CHIP-PCI) and advanced structural heart procedures. He has executed over 15,000 cardiology procedures.

He achieved significant clinical milestones, including performing the world's first renal denervation procedure in ectopic kidneys (2024) and executing India's first combined leadless pacemaker (Micra) and orbital atherectomy-guided PCI.

He regularly performs advanced interventional techniques including transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), TRIC valve implantation, intravascular lithotripsy (IVL), rotablation, and chronic total occlusion (CTO) angioplasty.

Prior to his current practice, Dr Refai served at highly specialised cardiac centres in the UK, including The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre and King's College Hospital, London.

He holds advanced super-specialty training, including a CCT in Cardiology and a Fellowship in TAVI from London. Dr Refai is fluent in English, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Urdu.

Specialty Areas and Treatments

Dr Refai Showkathali focuses on the following clinical areas:

Advanced Coronary Interventions (CHIP-PCI)

Dr Refai executes highly complex catheter-based interventions:

• Complex High-Risk Indicated PCI (CHIP)
• Left Main Stem and Bifurcation Stenting
• Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) Angioplasty via Transradial Access
• Rotational and Orbital Atherectomy
• Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) and Laser Angioplasty (ELCA)
• Impella and ECMO Assisted Coronary Interventions

Structural Heart Interventions

Dr Refai provides minimally invasive therapies for structural defects:

• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)
• TRIC Valve Implantation for Tricuspid Regurgitation
• MitraClip and Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR)
• Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Closure
• Device Closure for ASD, VSD, and PFO

Cardiac Electrophysiology and Devices

Dr Refai executes implantable therapies for rhythm management:

• Leadless Pacemaker (Micra) Implantation
• Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (AICD)
• Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT-P and CRT-D)

Advanced Hypertension Management

Dr Refai executes interventional procedures for resistant hypertension:

• Renal Denervation Procedure

Education and Qualifications

• MBBS — The Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University (1999)
• MRCP — Royal College of Physicians, London (2004)
• CCT in Cardiology — General Medical Council, UK (2012)
• Fellowship in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation — King’s College Hospital, London
• FRCP — Royal College of Physicians, London
• FACC — Fellow of the American College of Cardiology
• FESC — Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology

Awards and Recognitions

• Winner, Academic Poster of the Year Award — East of England Deanery (2012)

Research and Publications

Dr Refai Showkathali has over 75 peer-reviewed publications. Notable published clinical studies include:

• Contemporary Left Main Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A State-of-the-art Review
• Thrombolysis in Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Are we overdoing it?
• Unanticipated complication of transcatheter correction of superior sinus venosus atrial septal defect

Professional Memberships

• British Cardiovascular Society (BCS)
• British Cardiovascular Intervention Society (BCIS)
• European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Intervention (EAPCI)
• American Heart Association (AHA)
• British Society of Echocardiography (BSE)
• European Society of Cardiology (ESC)

Professional Experience

Dr Refai Showkathali currently practises at the following facilities:

• Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospital, Greams Road, Chennai
• Professor, Apollo Hospitals Educational and Research Foundation (AHERF)
• Examiner for MRCP PACES, Royal College of Physicians, London
• Interventional Cardiologist (Former), The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, UK
• Senior Structural Interventional Fellow (Former), King’s College Hospital, London
• Consultant (Former), Kumaran Hospital, Kilpauk, Chennai

Book an Appointment with Dr Refai Showkathali

To book an appointment with Dr Refai Showkathali or to check OPD timings and consultation details at Apollo Hospital in Chennai, connect with the HexaHealth team for assistance.