Nihar Desai, MD, MPH
Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine)Cards
About
Titles
Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine)
Biography
Nihar R. Desai, MD, MPH is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Vice Chief of the Section of Cardiovascular Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine, an Investigator at the Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, and Executive Director for Bundled Payments and Clinical Service Line Operations at the Yale New Haven Health System. His interests focus on cardiovascular health services and comparative effectiveness research, examining patterns of care, identifying opportunities to improve clinical outcomes, and evaluating the impact of novel care delivery systems on cost and quality. In addition, he serves as a clinical consultant on the CMS acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery readmission and mortality measures. He graduated with highest honors from Lehigh University before completing an internship in the Clinton White House. He then attended the University of Connecticut School of Medicine where he received his Doctorate in Medicine and the Harvard School of Public Health where he received his Master’s in Public Health. Dr. Desai completed his residency training in Internal Medicine as well as his clinical fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He then completed a research fellowship at the TIMI Study Group with Dr. Eugene Braunwald. His scholarly work has been published in New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, Circulation, and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Last Updated on April 07, 2025.
Appointments
Cardiovascular Medicine
Associate Professor on TermPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Center for Outcomes Research & Evaluation (CORE)
- Clinical and Translational Research Accelerator (CTRA)
- Internal Medicine
- Yale Medicine
- Yale Ventures
- Yale-BI Biomedical Data Science Fellowship
Education & Training
- Fellowship
- Brigham & Women's Hospital (2013)
- Residency
- Brigham & Women's Hospital (2009)
- MD
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine (2006)
- MPH
- Harvard School of Public Health (2005)
Research
Publications
2025
The challenges of using electronic medical records (EMR) to facilitate guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for patients with heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Desai N, Ahmad T, Wilson F. The challenges of using electronic medical records (EMR) to facilitate guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for patients with heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Heart Failure Reviews 2025, 30: 1489-1497. PMID: 41073617, PMCID: PMC12618310, DOI: 10.1007/s10741-025-10564-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsElectronic medical recordsMachine learningArtificial intelligenceGuideline-directed medical therapyElectronic medical record systemClinical decision-support toolsAlert fatigueAdherence to clinical guidelinesML modelsMedical recordsChronic kidney diseaseUrine albumin-to-creatinine ratioResearch directionsStratification of chronic kidney diseaseRisk stratification of chronic kidney diseaseTitration of guideline-directed medical therapyHealthcare approachDecision-support toolHospital readmissionClinical guidelinesHeart failureEstimated glomerular filtration rateMedical costsPatient outcomesRisk stratificationDosing, treatment patterns and safety of finerenone use in routine care: an interim analysis of the prospective, real-world and observational FINE-REAL study
Wheeler D, Pantalone K, Guo L, Desai N, Correa-Rotter R, Nicholas S, Kim N, Zheng Z, Scott C, Horvat-Broecker A, Merz M, Wanner C, Navaneethan S. Dosing, treatment patterns and safety of finerenone use in routine care: an interim analysis of the prospective, real-world and observational FINE-REAL study. Clinical Kidney Journal 2025, 18: sfaf305. PMID: 41220896, PMCID: PMC12598660, DOI: 10.1093/ckj/sfaf305.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchChronic kidney diseaseFollow-upSodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitorsGlucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonistsUrine albumin:creatinine ratioInterim analysisEstimated glomerular filtration ratePeptide 1 receptor agonistsAlbumin:creatinine ratioRenin-angiotensin system inhibitorsMedian Follow-UpUrinary tract infectionGlomerular filtration rateNon-interventional studyReal-world populationType 2 diabetesRenal outcomesConcomitant medicationsTract infectionsParticipant's first visitSingle-armSodium-glucoseFinerenoneSystem inhibitorsTreatment patternsEmpagliflozin Reduces Risk of Hospitalization in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease in the EMPA-KIDNEY Trial
Uster A, Desai N, Navaneethan S, Pfarr E, Mazo A. Empagliflozin Reduces Risk of Hospitalization in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease in the EMPA-KIDNEY Trial. Clinical Therapeutics 2025, 47: 1091-1096. PMID: 41047325, DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2025.09.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEMPA-KIDNEY trialChronic kidney diseaseCumulative incidenceKidney diseaseUrinary albumin-to-creatinine ratioEstimated glomerular filtration rateAlbumin-to-creatinine ratioEffects of empagliflozinGlomerular filtration rateMetabolic conditionsBaseline diabetes statusRisk of deathPost Hoc AnalysisSystem organ classRisk of hospitalizationPlacebo groupAdverse eventsFiltration ratePlaceboEmpagliflozinCardiac disordersDiabetes statusUrinary disordersHoc AnalysisMetabolic disordersDosing, Treatment Patterns, Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (UACR) Changes, and Safety with Finerenone Treatment in Routine Care: FINE-REAL Interim Analysis
Correa-Rotter R, Wanner C, Wheeler D, Guo L, Desai N, Navaneethan S, Nicholas S, Kim N, Mares J, Gomez M, Horvat-Broecker A, Schulze M, Merz M, Pantalone K. Dosing, Treatment Patterns, Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (UACR) Changes, and Safety with Finerenone Treatment in Routine Care: FINE-REAL Interim Analysis. Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2025, 36: 10.1681/asn.2025nz0z1wct. DOI: 10.1681/asn.2025nz0z1wct.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOptimization of Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors and Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists in Patients with CKD and Heart Failure at High Risk for Hyperkalemia: Data from the CARE-HK in HF Registry
Quinn G, Greene S, Sauer A, Anker S, Böhm M, Bozkurt B, Butler J, Cleland J, Coats A, Desai N, Pinto F, Rosano G, Brandes C, Donachie V, Kelepouris E. Optimization of Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors and Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists in Patients with CKD and Heart Failure at High Risk for Hyperkalemia: Data from the CARE-HK in HF Registry. Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2025, 36: 10.1681/asn.2025a0bacrqx. DOI: 10.1681/asn.2025a0bacrqx.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchManagement of patients with heart failure at high risk of hyperkalaemia: The CARE‐HK in HF registry
Greene S, Sauer A, Böhm M, Bozkurt B, Butler J, Cleland J, Coats A, Desai N, Grobbee D, Kelepouris E, Pinto F, Rosano G, Donachie V, Fabien S, Waechter S, Crespo‐Leiro M, Hülsmann M, Kempf T, Pfister O, Pouleur A, Saxena M, Schulz M, Volterrani M, Anker S, Kosiborod M. Management of patients with heart failure at high risk of hyperkalaemia: The CARE‐HK in HF registry. European Journal Of Heart Failure 2025 PMID: 40788620, DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.3800.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEstimated glomerular filtration rateRisk of hyperkalaemiaRenin-angiotensin system inhibitorsMineralocorticoid receptor antagonistsAssociated with higher riskHeart failureHF registryHigh riskFollow-upBaseline estimated glomerular filtration rateLaboratory evidenceHigher risk of adverse clinical outcomesProspective registry of patientsRisk of adverse clinical outcomesMedian Follow-UpRegistry of outpatientsBinder useAdverse clinical outcomesGlomerular filtration rateManagement of patientsRegistry of patientsReceptor antagonistSerum potassiumClinical outcomesClinical profileRelationship between industry payments to physicians and prescription patterns for PCSK9is, ARNis and DOACs: A report from the NCDR PINNACLE registry
Annapureddy A, Murugiah K, Zheng L, Minges K, Grandhi G, Ross J, Ahmad T, Rodwin B, Dhruva S, Girotra S, Dayoub E, Curtis J, Desai N. Relationship between industry payments to physicians and prescription patterns for PCSK9is, ARNis and DOACs: A report from the NCDR PINNACLE registry. American Heart Journal 2025, 291: 26-36. PMID: 40714034, PMCID: PMC12621269, DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2025.07.015.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAngiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitorDirect oral anticoagulantsProprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9Nonvalvular atrial fibrillationProprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitorsAtherosclerotic cardiovascular diseasePINNACLE RegistryDirect oral anticoagulant prescribingNonvalvular atrial fibrillation patientsReduced ejection fractionProportion of patientsAtherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patientsNo significant associationAssociated with prescribingPCSK inhibitorsHFrEF patientsOral anticoagulantsIndustry paymentsEjection fractionHFrEF cohortPCSK9 inhibitorsPatient cohortAtrial fibrillationPrescription patternsHeart failureTowards a dynamic model to estimate evolving risk of major bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention
Hurley N, Desai N, Dhruva S, Khera R, Schulz W, Huang C, Curtis J, Masoudi F, Rumsfeld J, Negahban S, Krumholz H, Mortazavi B. Towards a dynamic model to estimate evolving risk of major bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention. PLOS Digital Health 2025, 4: e0000906. PMID: 40560847, PMCID: PMC12193038, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000906.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNational Cardiovascular Data RegistryPercutaneous coronary interventionPrescription of medicationsRisk predictionArea under the receiver operating characteristic curveRisk prediction modelTreatment decision makingIndividualized carePatient dischargeData registryRisk estimatesRisk modelPrimary outcomeIndex admissionRisk informationModerate riskCoronary interventionPercutaneous coronary intervention proceduresRisk factorsPatient characteristicsIn-hospital bleeding eventsHigh riskLow riskMedical historyRegistryAccountable Care Organization Participation and Cardiovascular Care Quality
Spatz E, Oddleifson D, Kayani J, Gosch K, Jones P, Doshi R, Maddox T, Desai N. Accountable Care Organization Participation and Cardiovascular Care Quality. JAMA Cardiology 2025, 10: 545-554. PMID: 40172907, PMCID: PMC11966472, DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2025.0381.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMedicare Shared Savings ProgramMedicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care OrganizationsAccountable care organizationsAccountable care organization participationOutpatient cardiology practicesImplantable cardioverter defibrillator useCare qualityDefibrillator useNon-ACO practicesCardiology practiceQuality measuresImprove care qualityPre-post cohort studyPractice participationBlood pressure controlGroup of Medicare beneficiariesShared Savings ProgramCoronary artery diseaseQuality performance scoresAssociated with differential changesTraditional Medicare patientsARB prescriptionCare organizationsAntiplatelet prescriptionArtery diseaseImpact of Statin Intensity on Lower Extremity Revascularization Outcomes in a Tertiary Care Center
Carter W, Wells N, Alameddine D, Possick S, Hurtado C, Desai N, Chaar C. Impact of Statin Intensity on Lower Extremity Revascularization Outcomes in a Tertiary Care Center. Journal Of Vascular Surgery 2025, 81: e224-e226. DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2025.03.380.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Pragmatic Trial Of Alerts for Use of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists (PROMPT-MRA)
HIC ID2000030513RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/01/2023Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18+ years
Clinical Care
Overview
Nihar Desai, MD, MPH, is a cardiovascular medicine specialist, treating patients with complex cardiovascular conditions, including acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and arrhythmias.
Dr. Desai’s research explores opportunities to improve the quality of care, the impact of decision support tools on care patterns, and how different models of care affect quality, outcomes, and cost of care. He leads clinical trials and real world studies using administrative and clinical datasets to conduct hypothesis driven research of importance to patients, providers, payers, and policymakers.
Dr. Desai is an associate professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine.
Clinical Specialties
Internal Medicine; Cardiovascular Medicine
News
News
- October 24, 2024
New Analytics Center for Cardiovascular Medicine
- July 24, 2024
Yale Department of Internal Medicine Faculty Promotions and Appointments (July 2024)
- April 01, 2024
Yale Faculty Present Groundbreaking Clinical Research at the 2024 American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions
- March 29, 2024Source: The New York Times
Heart Pump Is Linked to 49 Deaths, the F.D.A. Warns
Get In Touch
Contacts
Email
Academic Office Number
Mailing Address
Cardiovascular Medicine
15 York Street, PO Box 208017
New Haven, CT 06520-8017
United States
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