Shyam Thakkar, MD, FASGE

Professor & Director, Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy

Organization:

West Virginia University School of Medicine

Department:

Medicine

Classification:

Faculty

• MD, Temple University School of Medicine, 2001
• BA, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, 1997

Peer-reviewed Articles

Mohy-Ud-Din N, Mohyuddin G, Syed A, Desai SM, Thakkar S. Risk of cancer with use of ranitidine: results of a cohort study of 65 million US adults. 2020 Poster of Distinction. Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Carleton NM, Syed A, Seoud T, Thakkar S. Artificial intelligence for real-time extraction of quality of exam metrics from live colonoscopy: video case series. 2020 Oral Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Syed A, Seoud T, Thakkar S. Opportunistic infections are more prevalent in pancreatitis: a large population-based study. 2020 Oral Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Machicado J, Gougol A, Paragomi P, Pothoulakis I, Gao X, Tan X, Tang G, Talukdar R, Kochhar R, Goenka MK, Gulla A, Gonzalez JA, Singh V, Bigado MF, Stevens T, Barbu ST, Nawaz H, Gutierrez SC, Zarnescu N, Capurso G, Easler JJ, Triantafyllou K, Luna MP, Thakkar S, Ocampo C, de-Madaria E, Cote G, Wu BU, Hart PA, Papachristou G. Differences in the risk of persistent organ failure (POF) in acute pancreatitis (AP) based on onset, duration, and score of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). 2020 Oral Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Bang JY, Rösch T, Gonzaga ESR, Tharian B, Inamdar S, Perisetti A, Thakkar S, Yachimski P, Jamidar PA, Muniraj T, Sethi A, Draganov PA, Varadarajulu S. Technical evaluation of duodenoscope performance using a newly developed assessment tool. 2020 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Ichkhanian Y, Barawi M, Ghandour B, Seoud T, Thakkar S, Kothari TH, Bittner K, Ullah A, Kaul V, Kothari S, Wedi E, Aepli P, Kowalski TE; Shinn B; Sharaiha RZ; Dawod QM; Mahadev S; Hajifathalian K; Andrisan G; Albrecht H; Giap A; Tan SJ, Naga Y; Turan AS, Tharian; Irani SS, Ross AS, Jamil LH, Lew D, Nett A, Sanaei O, Parsa N, Farha J, Jovani M, Kumbhari V, Kalloo AN, Khashab MA. Endoscopic full-thickness resection of polyps involving the appendiceal orifice: first multicenter international study. 2020 Oral Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Pothoulakis I, Paragomi P, Tuft M, Archibugi L, Talukdar R, Kochhar R, Goenka MK, Gulla A, Singh S, Gonzalez JA, Bigado MF, Babu S, Stevens T, Nawaz H, Gutierrez SC, Zarnescu N, Easler JJ, Triantafyllou K, Luna MP, Thakkar S, Ocampo C, de-Madaria E, Wu BU, Cote GA, Hart PA, Tang G, Capurso G, Papachristou G. Association of increased serum triglyceride levels and disease severity in acute pancreatitis: results from an international, multicenter cohort study. 2020 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Machicado J, Gougol A, Paragomi P, Pothoulakis I, Gao X, Tan X, Tang G, Talukdar R, Kochhar R, Goenka MK, Gulla A, Gonzalez JA, Singh V, Bigado MF, Stevens T, Barbu ST, Nawaz H, Gutierrez SC, Zarnescu N, Capurso G, Easler JJ, Triantafyllou K, Luna MP, Thakkar S, Ocampo C, de-Madaria E, Cote G, Wu BU, Hart PA, Papachristou G. Mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and persistent organ failure (POF) depends on number, type, and sequence of organs affected. 2020 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Seoud T, Syed A, Farah K, Kochhar G, Cousineau K, Chalikonda S, Thakkar S. Millions! Yes, we can save: optimizing endoscopy services. 2020 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Gladys-Oryhon J, Umar S, Cole R, Thakkar P, Syed A, Midian R, Morrissey S, Mitre M, Thakkar S, Farah K. The impact of physician arrival times on endoscopy unit efficiency: a pilot study. 2020 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Syed A, Seoud T, Thakkar S, Shen B. Portal vein thrombosis is a risk factor for pouchitis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: a large population-based study. 2020 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Syed A, Seoud T, Farah K, Eid G, Thakkar S. Bariatric surgery decreases prevalence of pancreatic cancer in patients with prior diabetes and obesity: a 20-year national analysis. 2020 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Syed A, Seoud T, Thakkar S. Prevalence of acute and chronic pancreatitis in a population-based study: an update from 2015-2019. 2020 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Seoud T, Syed A, Farah K, Chintamaneni P, Thakkar S. IBD is associated with increased risk of acute pancreatitis: a population-based analysis. 2020 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Umar S, Shayan S, Irani S, Khara H, Seoud S, Thakkar S. Safety of EUS guided gall bladder drainage in grade 4 cholecystitis. 2020 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Syed A, Seoud T, Thakkar S. Risk factors and incidence of pancreatic cancer after detection of Helicobacter Pylori infection: a large cohort study. 2020 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Seoud T, Syed A, Thakkar S. Diabetes and pancreatic cancer: a population-based study describing the temporal relationship. 2020 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Seoud T, Syed A, Carlton N, Quershi H, Anand M, Thakkar P, Thakkar S. Depression diagnosis preceding and following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer: results from a large national population-based study. 2020 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Seoud T, Syed A, Thakkar S. Gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett’s esophagus, the importance of screening after 40. 2020 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Seoud T, Syed A, Thakkar S. Patients with IBD are at an increased risk of pancreatic cancer: a population-based study. 2020 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. Chicago, IL.

Lara L, Silva R, Thakkar S, Stanich P, Mai D, Samarasena J. Multicenter case series of patients with small bowel angiodysplasia treated with a small bowel radiofrequency ablation catheter. 2019 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. San Diego, CA.

Carleton N, Syed A, Thakkar S. Real-time machine assisted analytics from live colonoscopies to optimize quality of exams. 2019 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. San Diego, CA

Paragomi P, Pothoulakis I, Gougol A, et al. Validation of pancreatitis activity scoring system (Pass) in a multicenter international prospective cohort: an intercontinental study through apprentice consortium. 2019 Distinguished Abstract Plenary Digestive Disease Week. San Diego, CA

Syed A, Carleton N, Dhawan A, Horne Z, Kochhar G, Morrissey S, Williams H, Atkinson D, Schiffman S, Monga D, Lupetin A, Kirichenko A, Mitre M, Dhawan M, Kulkarni A, Thakkar S. Survival of resectable pancreatic cancer: the impact of post- operative chemotherapy. 2019 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. San Diego, CA

Syed A, El-Hachem S, Abdul-Baki H, Chintamaneni P, Thakkar S, Dulai P, Kochhar G. Crohn’s disease has an increased risk of thyroid cancer with higher mortality. 2019 Poster of Distinction Digestive Disease Week. San Diego, CA

Pothoulakis I, Paragomi P, Archibugi L, et al. Clinical features of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis in an international, multicenter, prospective cohort (apprentice consortium). Oral Presentation Digestive Disease Week. San Diego, CA

Syed A, Thakkar S, Dhawan M, Mitre M, Kulkarni A, Farah K, Morrissey S, Kochhar G. Chronic pancreatitis is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality: a population-bases analysis. 2019 Oral Presentation Digestive Disease Week. San Diego, CA

Gougol A, Paragomi P, Gao X et al. Multi-organ failure is the strongest determinant of poor clinical outcomes in acute pancreatitis (apprentice study group). 2019 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week, San Diego, CA

Syed A, Kochhar G, Farah K, Morrissey S, Mitre M, Dhawan M, Kulkarni A, Thakkar S. Depression as a symptom of pancreatic cancer: the role of mental health professionals. 2019 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. San Diego, CA

Syed A, Kochhar G, Farah K, Morrissey S, Mitre M, Dhawan M, Kulkarni A, Thakkar S. Depression preceding pancreatic cancer: a longitudinal population- based analysis. 2019 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week. San Diego, CA

Syed A, El-Hachem S, Abdul-Baki H, Chintamaneni P, Thakkar S, Dulai P, Kochhar G. Rates of colectomy in patients with ulcerative colitis: a population-based trend analysis. 2019 Poster Presentation Digestive Disease Week.  San Diego, CA

Syed A, El-Hachem S, Abdul-Baki H, Chintamaneni P, Thakkar S, Dulai P, Kochhar G. De-novo inflammatory bowel disease after bariatric surgery: a population-based analysis. 2019 Poster of Distinction. Digestive Disease Week. San Diego, CA

Academic Honors and Awards

Best Gastroenterologist ThreeBestRated.com 1/2020 / Pittsburgh, PA
SCOPY Award American College of Gastroenterology 10/2019
Audio Visual Award, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 5/2019 / Crystal Awards
Living Proof of Core Behaviors Highmark Health 11/2018 / Award
SCOPY Award American College of Gastroenterology 10/2018
Courage for A Cure Award National Pancreas Foundation 9/2018
Poster of Distinction Award American Gastroenterology Association 6/2018
Highmark Core Behavior Finalist Highmark Health 10/2017
Distinction Award United European Gastroenterology 10/2017
Poster of Distinction Award American Gastroenterology Association 5/2017 / Digestive Disease Week
AHN Quality and Safety Allegheny Health Network 5/2017 / Competition - 1st prize
Video Plenary Session Award, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 5/2016
Honorary Co-Chair, PurpleStride, Pancreas Cancer Action Network 5/2016
Honorary Chair PurpleStride, Pancreas Cancer Action Network 5/2016
Ambassador to Vietnam, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 1/2012

Professional Organizations

Western Pennsylvania Membership Chairman, Pennsylvania Society of Gastroenterology 10/2019 – Present
Fellow, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 7/2019 – Present
Member, American Society of Bariatric Endoscopy 2/2016 – Present
Member, Natural Orifice Surgery Consortium for Assessment and Research 7/2008 – Present
Member of Indian Society of Gastroenterology 7/2005 – Present
Member, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 7/2005 – Present
Member of American Gastroenterological Association 7/2005 – Present
Member of American College of Gastroenterology 7/2005 − Present

 

Dr. Thakkar joins the department as Director of Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy. Dr. Thakkar earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Temple University and went on to complete his Internal Medicine training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and his Gastroenterology Fellowship at Allegheny General Hospital, Drexel College of Medicine. He further completed a specialized Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School. Along with his clinical work, Dr. Thakkar has served as the principal investigator on numerous studies, with his most recent research focusing on natural orifice surgery and optimizing colonoscopy using artificial intelligence. He was also part of the first investigational team in Pennsylvania to perform the Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) for Achalsia.
 
Dr. Thakkar has served as faculty at numerous national and international conferences, including serving as Ambassador to Vietnam for the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy where he taught hemostasis. He has been recognized for his innovation, research, and contributions to the community by the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American College of Gastroenterology, and the National Pancreas Foundation.

Dr. Thakkar brings with him to WVU his expertise in advanced therapeutic endoscopy and will be performing cutting-edge procedures, including endoscopic ultrasound, ERCP, cholangioscopy, transoral incisionless fundoplication, endoscopic necrosectomy, deep enteroscopy, endoscopic mucosal resection, full thickness endoscopic resection, endoscopic myotomy, and Barrett’s ablations (Radiofrequency and Cryoablation). In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Thakkar will be working with leadership to develop a vision and strategy of an Endoscopy Service Line that will include a multidisciplinary collaboration of nurses, physicians, trainees, and administrators to advance clinical delivery, research, and innovation across the entire WVU system.

RESEARCH (funded):

Grant Support - Diagnostic and Therapeutic Utility of Second Generation Single 6/2018
Operator Cholangioscopy System in Pancreatobiliary Disorders. PI
Award $10,000

Highmark Health System. Application of Video Analytics for improving polyp detection. PI
Award $70,000 4/2013
Award $50,000 1/2016

Grant Support - Application of Video Analytics for improving polyp detection 12/2012
Big Blue Quest. Award $50,000
PI

Grant Support - Design of Highly Articulated Mechanisms for Surgical Applications 8/2010
Army Research Office $785,877
NOTES ARM (Co-PI)

Grant Support - Improving Utilization of Colorectal Cancer Screening 3/2009
Big Blue Quest 20,000 – PI

Grant Support - Development of a pancreatic tumor model and evaluation of 4/2008
NOTES tumor enucleation. (Co-I)
Natural Orifice Society Consortium for Assessment and Research
Grant $75,000

RESEARCH (unfunded)

MicroRNA signature characteristics in primary tumors that metastasize in an esophageal adenocarcinoma rat model. 7/2014 − 12/2014
Co-I

Use of implanted gold fiducial markers with MV-CBCT image-guided IMRT for pancreatic tumors. 9/2012 − 6/2013
Co-I

Multidisciplinary Pancreas Center Registry - Registry of patients with advanced 4/2013 − Present
pancreatic disease presented in the multidisciplinary center. Quality Improvement Initiative
PI

Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) for treatment of Achalasia 4/2013 − Present
Examine the effects of endoscopic myotomy for treatment of esophageal motility disorders
Co-I

Ocular Radiation - Study examining dose related measures of ocular radiation 1/2012 − 6/2012
during advanced endoscopic procedures
PI

Comparison of outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound based on community versus tertiary academic center settings. 7/2010 − 10/2011
PI

Safety and Efficacy of combination sphincterotomy and sphincteroplasty in the management of large common bile duct stones 4/2008 − 10/2008
PI

Hepatitis C - Impact of combination weight-based pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C 1/2007 − 1/2008
PI

RESEARCH (Multicenter)

Multi-center, duodenoscope validation study to assess the utility of duodenoscopes during ERCP 7/2019 − Present
Site-PI

Multi-center, randomized trial comparing Direct Endoscopic necrosectomy vs step-up transluminal endoscopic Interventions in infected necrotizing pancreatitis 6/2019 − Present
(DESTIN)
Site-PI

Acute pancreatitis patient registry to examine novel therapies in clinical experience.  Multi center collaborative registry designed to answer key issues related to acute pancreatitis.  8/2016 – Present
Site-PI

Multi-center experience in Argon Plasma Coagulation in the treatment of migrated and epithelialized metal stents 3/2016 − 6/2016
PI

Multi-center, U.S. experience of single balloon, double balloon, and rotational 5/2009 − 12/2009
overtube-assisted enteroscopy ERCP in patients with surgically altered anatomy.
Site-PI

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Specialties

• Gastroenterology

Board Certifications

• Gastroenterology, American Board of Internal Medicine

Special Training

• Fellowship, Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy Fellowship
  Bethel Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 2008
• Fellowship, Gastroenterology Fellowship
  Allegheny General Hospital, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2008
• Residency, Internal Medicine Residency
  University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2004