Thiruvengadam Muniraj, MD, FACG, FRCP
Associate Professor of Medicine (Digestive Diseases)Cards
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View Doctor ProfileAdditional Titles
Vice-Chief (Endoscopy), Digestive Diseases
Director of Advanced Endoscopy, YNHHS
Associate Chief of Endoscopy, Digestive Health
Director, Yale Center for Pancreatitis
Director, Bariatric Endoscopy
Contact Info
Yale School of Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine (Digestive Diseases), P.O. Box 20819
New Haven, CT 06520-8019
United States
Are You a Patient?
View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.
View Doctor ProfileAdditional Titles
Vice-Chief (Endoscopy), Digestive Diseases
Director of Advanced Endoscopy, YNHHS
Associate Chief of Endoscopy, Digestive Health
Director, Yale Center for Pancreatitis
Director, Bariatric Endoscopy
Contact Info
Yale School of Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine (Digestive Diseases), P.O. Box 20819
New Haven, CT 06520-8019
United States
Are You a Patient?
View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.
View Doctor ProfileAdditional Titles
Vice-Chief (Endoscopy), Digestive Diseases
Director of Advanced Endoscopy, YNHHS
Associate Chief of Endoscopy, Digestive Health
Director, Yale Center for Pancreatitis
Director, Bariatric Endoscopy
Contact Info
Yale School of Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine (Digestive Diseases), P.O. Box 20819
New Haven, CT 06520-8019
United States
About
Titles
Associate Professor of Medicine (Digestive Diseases)
Vice-Chief (Endoscopy), Digestive Diseases; Director of Advanced Endoscopy, YNHHS; Associate Chief of Endoscopy, Digestive Health; Director, Yale Center for Pancreatitis; Director, Bariatric Endoscopy
Biography
Dr. Muniraj is an advanced endoscopist with specialized expertise in pancreatic diseases, including pancreatitis and complex interventional endoscopies. As a researcher, he is an investigator in many national and international studies in the pancreas and interventional endoscopy fields. As a clinician, he performs a full range of advanced endoscopic procedures such as ERCP, confocal endomicroscopy, cholangioscopy, pancreatoscopy, electro-hydraulic lithotripsy, Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), fine needle aspiration and biopsy (FNA/FNB), celiac plexus block, pancreatic pseudocyst drainage, pancreatic necrosis, non-surgical gallbladder drainage, pancreatic stones and strictures, Barrett's esophagus treatment with RFA, EMR, Cryotherapy, endoscopic suturing, fistula closure, ulcer closure, enteral stents, single balloon enteroscopy, ampullectomy and high-risk colon polypectomy with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR).
Dr.Muniraj directs Yale's advanced endoscopy program and endoscopic bariatric program, where in addition to the above advanced endoscopic procedures, he also performs intra-gastric balloon placement, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, stoma narrowing, and PEG placement for weight loss. Dr.Muniraj is well known for complex interventional endoscopies, and for the 1st time in Connecticut has introduced several novel endoscopic EUS/ERCP procedures such as ERCP for patients with gastric bypass, EUS based gastrojejunostomy, pancreatic/hepatic anastomoses.
Dr. Muniraj received his medical degree from Coimbatore Medical College, India, then underwent fellowship training in Internal Medicine in India, secured 1st place among all the medical schools in the state, and was awarded 3 Gold medals. Before moving to the United States, he served as an assistant professor of medicine in India, consultant physician, and chief executive director for the first private hospital in Oman. He completed internal medicine training at the University of Pittsburgh, chief residency at Griffin Hospital, and his Gastroenterology Fellowship at Yale University, where he won The Samuel Kushlan Award for outstanding clinical fellow. He subsequently pursued additional advanced therapeutic endoscopic fellowship training at Yale University. After his fellowship, he was recruited to Yale's advanced endoscopy program to serve as the director of the Yale Center for Pancreatitis.
He currently serves as the Clinical Chief for Endoscopy at Yale University School of Medicine and as the Associate Chief for the Digestive Health service line across the Yale New Haven Health System.
He is the author of numerous publications and is invited to speak nationally and internationally. He is the associate editor for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (GIE), the leading international journal in the field of endoscopy. He currently serves on the advisory board for the Association for Bariatric Endoscopy (ABE), part of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE)
He has been inducted as a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
Appointments
Digestive Diseases
Associate Professor on TermPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Advanced Endoscopy Program
- Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers
- Center for Thoracic Cancers
- Digestive Diseases
- Internal Medicine
- Pancreatic Diseases Program
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Medicine
- Yale Ventures
Education & Training
- Advanced endoscopy fellow
- Yale University
- Fellow
- Yale University
- MD
- Coimbatore Medical College (1999)
- MBBS
- Coimbatore Medical College (1992)
Research
Overview
Medical Research Interests
Public Health Interests
ORCID
0000-0002-4904-2645
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Harry Aslanian, MD
Priya Jamidar, FACG, FASGE, MBChB
James Farrell
Loren Laine, MD
Basile Njei, MD, PhD, MPH, FACHDM
Robert Lam, MD
Pancreatitis
Pancreatic Neoplasms
Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal
Pancreatic Diseases
Barrett Esophagus
Cholecystitis
Publications
2024
Effect of endoscopic ultrasound guided celiac plexus block on the palliation of pain in chronic pancreatitis (EPOCH Trial): study protocol for a randomized multicenter sham-controlled trial {1}
Wilcox C, Bang J, Buxbaum J, Gardner T, Hawes R, Kedia P, Mardini S, Muniraj T, Navaneethan U, Oza V, Tarnasky P, Thakkar S, Waxman I, Varadarajulu S. Effect of endoscopic ultrasound guided celiac plexus block on the palliation of pain in chronic pancreatitis (EPOCH Trial): study protocol for a randomized multicenter sham-controlled trial {1}. Trials 2024, 25: 676. PMID: 39396987, PMCID: PMC11472533, DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08478-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsMeSH KeywordsAbdominal PainAutonomic Nerve BlockCeliac PlexusEndosonographyHumansMulticenter Studies as TopicNerve BlockPain MeasurementPalliative CarePancreatitis, ChronicProspective StudiesRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTime FactorsTreatment OutcomeUltrasonography, InterventionalUnited StatesConceptsCeliac plexus blockAbdominal painChronic pancreatitisVisual analog scalePlexus blockSham-controlled trialRandomized sham-controlled trialEndoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus blockEffectiveness of endoscopic ultrasoundBrief Pain Inventory Short FormDocumented chronic pancreatitisPainful chronic pancreatitisPalliation of painTime of EUSTreatment of abdominal painPain scoresBPI-SFSteroid combinationsAnalog scaleEndoscopic ultrasoundProspective studyCeliac plexusRandomized trialsShort formPancreatitisS128 EUS-Guided Needle-Based Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy (nCLE) for Dysplasia Classification in IPMNs: Assessment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Algorithms to Reduce Interobserver Variability
Abdelbaki A, Ziwei L, Chao W, Culp S, Hart P, Burlen J, Eldika S, Bertani H, Feng Y, Keane G, Keihanian T, Ladd A, Kongkam P, Leblanc S, Luthra A, Machicado J, Mok S, Muniraj T, Napoléon B, Tan D, Visrodia K, Krishna S. S128 EUS-Guided Needle-Based Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy (nCLE) for Dysplasia Classification in IPMNs: Assessment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Algorithms to Reduce Interobserver Variability. The American Journal Of Gastroenterology 2024, 119: s93-s94. DOI: 10.14309/01.ajg.0001028880.96466.cb.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchS127 Derivation, Interobserver Agreement and Impact of Pre-Surgical EUS-Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy (CLE) Vascular Characteristics for Risk Stratification of IPMNs
Abdelbaki A, Leupold M, Culp S, Muniraj T, Tan D, Machicado J, Luthra A, Park E, Chen W, Esnakula A, Hart P, Krishna S. S127 Derivation, Interobserver Agreement and Impact of Pre-Surgical EUS-Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy (CLE) Vascular Characteristics for Risk Stratification of IPMNs. The American Journal Of Gastroenterology 2024, 119: s91-s92. DOI: 10.14309/01.ajg.0001028876.16028.d9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSMART Medical Review: Acute Pancreatitis Assessment and Management in the First 24 Hours
Lee P, Bishu S, Breze C, Chak A, Gardner T, Guda N, Kaul V, Muniraj T, Papachristou G, Schrope B, Spagnolo D, Strand D, Tarnasky P, Taylor J, Wilcox C, Whitcomb D. SMART Medical Review: Acute Pancreatitis Assessment and Management in the First 24 Hours. SMART-MD Journal Of Precision Medicine 2024, 1: e19-e48. DOI: 10.69734/7dcnna53.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPoint of careManagement of APClinical decision support toolQuality of careQuality improvement recommendationsGroup of clinical expertsAcute pancreatitisInnate inflammatory responseCareClinical expertsExpert recommendationsLife-threatening consequencesDecision support toolEarly treatmentPhysical examinationInflammatory responseInflammatory reactionRecommendationsSeveral determinantsIndividualized treatmentImprovement recommendationsSupport toolDiagnosisLaboratory testsTreatment1081 ACCURACY OF REAL-TIME EUS-GUIDED CONFOCAL LASER ENDOMICROSCOPY INTERPRETATION FOR DISCERNING SPECIFIC TYPES OF PANCREATIC CYSTIC LESIONS: INSIGHTS FROM A MULTICENTER PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Burlen J, Jones D, Chen W, Culp S, El-Dika S, Keane M, Machicado J, Pannala R, Othman M, Muniraj T, Sharma N, Widmer J, Mok S, Luthra A, Sawhney M, Ladd A, Visrodia K, Gonda T, Hart P, Fry M, Krishna S. 1081 ACCURACY OF REAL-TIME EUS-GUIDED CONFOCAL LASER ENDOMICROSCOPY INTERPRETATION FOR DISCERNING SPECIFIC TYPES OF PANCREATIC CYSTIC LESIONS: INSIGHTS FROM A MULTICENTER PROSPECTIVE STUDY. Gastroenterology 2024, 166: s-256-s-257. DOI: 10.1016/s0016-5085(24)01074-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConcepts
2023
Clinical predictive value of renalase in post-ERCP pancreatitis
Muniraj T, Desir G, Gorelick F, Guo X, Ciarleglio M, Deng Y, Jamidar P, Farrell J, Aslanian H, Laine L. Clinical predictive value of renalase in post-ERCP pancreatitis. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2023, 99: 822-825.e1. PMID: 38103747, DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2023.12.020.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsPost-ERCP pancreatitisRenalase levelsPlasma renalase levelsProspective cohort studyPotential clinical roleAcute experimental pancreatitisLongitudinal regression modelsPEP patientsPlasma renalaseCohort studyTertiary hospitalClinical roleExperimental pancreatitisRenalaseAbstractTextERCPPancreatitisFurther studiesAIMSRegression modelsOutcomes of cold snare EMR of nonampullary duodenal adenomas ≥1 cm: a multicenter study
Wilson N, Abdallah M, Schulman A, Mosko J, Saeed A, Kothari S, Kaul V, Kothari T, Phan J, Kumar A, Tofani C, Kim R, Westanmo A, Moy B, Dang F, Canakis A, Sharma N, Muniraj T, Azeem N, Bilal M. Outcomes of cold snare EMR of nonampullary duodenal adenomas ≥1 cm: a multicenter study. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2023, 99: 971-980.e1. PMID: 38092125, DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2023.12.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsNonampullary duodenal adenomasEndoscopic mucosal resectionCold snare endoscopic mucosal resectionSnare endoscopic mucosal resectionDuodenal adenomasUse of electrocauteryAdverse eventsMucosal resectionMulticenter studyUnderwater endoscopic mucosal resectionLarge duodenal adenomasMulticenter retrospective studyRetrospective multicenter studyPredictors of recurrenceAcceptable recurrence rateHigh-grade dysplasiaFuture prospective studiesCases of perforationAdenoma rateSecondary outcomesImmediate bleedingPrimary outcomeRecurrent adenomasIndependent predictorsProspective studyAdvancing surveillance protocols for dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus after complete remission of intestinal metaplasia: Time to rethink biopsy strategy?
Burton S, Muniraj T. Advancing surveillance protocols for dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus after complete remission of intestinal metaplasia: Time to rethink biopsy strategy? Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2023, 98: 733-734. PMID: 37863568, DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2023.07.051.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchImproving Pancreatic Cyst Management: Artificial Intelligence-Powered Prediction of Advanced Neoplasms through Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Confocal Endomicroscopy
Jiang J, Chao W, Cao T, Culp S, Napoléon B, El-Dika S, Machicado J, Pannala R, Mok S, Luthra A, Akshintala V, Muniraj T, Krishna S. Improving Pancreatic Cyst Management: Artificial Intelligence-Powered Prediction of Advanced Neoplasms through Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Confocal Endomicroscopy. Biomimetics 2023, 8: 496. PMID: 37887627, PMCID: PMC10604893, DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8060496.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricS11 Cholecystectomy Reduces the Odds of Inpatient Mortality in Patients With Acute Biliary Pancreatitis
Restrepo D, Doshi R, Nawaz A, Chaar A, Kothari T, Laine L, Muniraj T. S11 Cholecystectomy Reduces the Odds of Inpatient Mortality in Patients With Acute Biliary Pancreatitis. The American Journal Of Gastroenterology 2023, 118: s9-s10. DOI: 10.14309/01.ajg.0000949684.33264.0a.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Efficacy and Safety of Evinacumab in Adult Patients With Severe Hypertriglyceridemia for the Prevention of Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis
HIC ID2000031006RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date10/19/2024Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18 years - 80 yearsThe Cancer of the Pancreas Screening-5 (CAPS5) Study
HIC ID1408014448RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date10/31/2024Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18+ years
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
activity American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Professional OrganizationsMemberDetails07/01/2013 - Presentactivity American College of Gastroenterology
Professional OrganizationsMemberDetails07/01/2013 - Presentactivity Association for Bariatric Endoscopy (ABE)
Advisory BoardsBoard MemberDetailsAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE)2021 - Presentactivity Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (GIE) journal
Journal ServiceAssociate EditorDetails2022 - Presenthonor Advanced Emerging Leaders Program
Yale School of Medicine AwardYale School of ManagementDetails06/30/2022United States
Clinical Care
Overview
Thiruvengadam Muniraj, MD, is an advanced endoscopist who treats patients with pancreatic diseases, including acute and chronic pancreatitis. He performs a full range of endoscopic procedures, including endoscopic ultrasound and ERCP procedures, which combine X-rays and endoscopies, for gastric bypass patients.
As a researcher, Dr. Muniraj is interested in acute and chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, pancreas, advanced endoscopy, biliary diseases, and endoscopic management of bariatric patients.
Dr. Muniraj is the director of Yale’s Endoscopic Bariatric Program, where he performs various weight-loss procedures, including endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, stoma narrowing, and PEG placement, which involves placing a feeding tube through the abdomen and into the stomach.
Dr. Muniraj is an associate professor of medicine (digestive diseases) at Yale School of Medicine.
Clinical Specialties
Fact Sheets
Pancreatitis
Learn More on Yale MedicineGastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors
Learn More on Yale MedicineColonoscopy
Learn More on Yale MedicineColorectal Polyps
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Yale Medicine News
Are You a Patient?
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View Doctor ProfileNews
News
- May 29, 2024
Renalase May Predict Post-ERCP Pancreatitis
- November 06, 2023
Dr. Thiru Muniraj on Yale Cancer Answers
- June 05, 2023
Yale Digestive Diseases Shares Latest Research in Chicago
- May 03, 2023
Muniraj Named Associate Editor of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Get In Touch
Contacts
Yale School of Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine (Digestive Diseases), P.O. Box 20819
New Haven, CT 06520-8019
United States
Administrative Support
Locations
Laboratory for Medicine and Pediatrics (LMP)
Academic Office
15 York Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Patient Care Locations
Are You a Patient? View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.
Events
Everyone Multi-session EventThiruvengadam Muniraj, MD, FACG, FRCP - Jill Banatoski, MD - Erin Culbert, DO - Kenneth Hung, MD, MS - Chul S. Hyun, MD, PhD, MPH - Xavier Llor, MD, PhD - Ann Datunashvilli, MD - Hamita Sachar, MD - Peter McWhorter, MD - Fatima Khan - Nate Wood, MD, MHS, Chef, D,ABOM - Max Goldstein, MS, RDN, CCMS - Vanessa Pomarico, APRN - Marjorie Golden, MD, FACP, AAHIVS - Maggie Guerrero, APRN - Dennis Shung, MD, MHS, PhD - Jennifer Schwartz, MD - Raquel Rozner, MD - Flora Zarcu-Power, MD - Wajahat Mehal, MD, DPhil - Piyal Alam, DO - Haddon Pantel, MD - Catiele Antunes, MD