Dr. Navin Nanda, former AAPI President and Incorporator, is widely recognized for his pioneering contributions in adult echocardiography. However, what is less well known is that he is also a trailblazer in pediatric and fetal echocardiography.
Recently, the Dr. Navin Nanda Echocardiographic and Vascular Training Academy was established in the Philippines and welcomed its inaugural class of students. The Academy was founded by Dr. Arnold Pasia from the Philippines, who trained under Dr. Nanda. In a touching tribute, Dr. Pasia named his son—born in Birmingham, Alabama during his training—as Navin Pasia, out of respect for his mentor. Navin Pasia recently graduated with a medical degree in the Philippines.
Considered the “Father of Echocardiography” and the pioneer of modern echocardiography by over 70 prestigious institutions worldwide, Dr. Nanda was recently featured in the American Society of Echocardiography Magazine. The article, titled “Fifty Years of Progress in Pediatric and Congenital Echocardiography: From Those Who Started It All,” highlighted his groundbreaking work in both pediatric and fetal echocardiography.
A press release quoting Dr. Nanda emphasized, “Dr. Navin Nanda has been involved in many of the biggest advances in the field of echocardiography over the last 50 years.”
One of his landmark achievements was the discovery and identification of the pulmonary valve by his group in 1972, which ushered in a new era in pediatric echocardiography. This breakthrough allowed for the diagnosis of a deadly congenital heart condition in newborns where the main arteries originating from the heart were abnormally positioned. Early and accurate diagnosis through echocardiography has since saved countless “blue babies” by enabling timely corrective treatment.
Another significant milestone was his group’s identification of the congenital bicuspid aortic valve. In 1984, Dr. Nanda’s laboratory at the University of Alabama in Birmingham introduced color Doppler echocardiography to the United States—an innovation that transformed cardiac imaging by visualizing blood flow in the heart. This technique enhanced the detection and evaluation of valve leaks and shunt lesions in both adults and children.
In 1982, together with Deb Maulik, Dr. Nanda was the first to use pulse Doppler and color Doppler flow imaging, along with three-dimensional echocardiography, to identify heart disease in fetuses. Additionally, his team invented treadmill exercise echocardiography, now widely used to assess coronary artery disease in adults.
Dr. Nanda’s expertise extends to pioneering the use of echocardiography in cardiac pacing and electrophysiology. He also played a key role in introducing pulse Doppler echocardiography to mainland China and developing many new echocardiographic applications in India.
Another notable contribution was the clinical introduction of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography by Dr. Nanda and his group. This technique involves inserting an ultrasound probe into the esophagus and has become essential during many heart surgeries and catheterization procedures, often helping to avoid open-heart surgery.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Nanda has published over 1,000 papers and authored 13 books on echocardiography and cardiology, including the largest comprehensive book on echocardiography.
Dr. Navin Nanda’s lifelong dedication and innovations continue to shape the field of echocardiography and save innumerable lives worldwide.
https://newsindiatimes.com/tributes-to-dr-navin-nanda-a-pioneer-in-echocardiography-pour-in/