Dr. B. Soma Raju

Biography

 Prof. B. Soma Raju has an MD from Guntur Medical College, Andhra Pradesh and a DM from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh. A multi-faceted personality, he is a cardiologist, researcher, teacher and philanthropist. Prof. Soma Raju began his career as Assistant Professor of Cardiology at Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, before joining the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, in 1984. When he left the Institute in 1993 as Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiology and Dean, he had built one of the best departments in the country and trained a whole generation of cardiologists. Prof. Soma Raju conducted the first percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in India and heads a team which has performed the largest number of cardiac interventions in the country. He was integral to the development of India's first indigenous coronary stent — named the Kalam Raju Stent after former President of India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and Dr. Soma Raju. This led to a dramatic reduction in the cost of stents, bringing them within the reach of the people. He was also key in the development of India's first coronary balloon catheter and continues working on medical devices for use in interventional cardiology to offer more affordable Indian alternatives for the common man. He was conferred the Padma Shri in 2001. Prof. Soma Raju has published and presented over 120 papers in national and international journals and forums and authored a textbook on "Clinical Methods in Cardiology." He is involved in various research projects, in collaboration with American Universities and the Defence Scientific Laboratories.

Research Interest

 surgery