Tania Ahuja, PharmD

The primary goal of my research is to refine the decision-making process for selecting and managing antithrombotic therapies based on patient-specific factors, with the ultimate aim of reducing adverse drug events and improving therapeutic outcomes in high-risk cardiovascular patients. This includes investigating the interplay between pharmacotherapy, drug-drug interactions (such as those between antiplatelets), sedation strategies, and the management of anticoagulation in patients with complex conditions like cardiogenic shock. By optimizing these therapeutic approaches, my research seeks to enhance patient safety and the overall effectiveness of treatments in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU).

My current research is centered on enhancing the pharmacotherapeutic management of antithrombotic therapy, with a particular focus on critically ill patients with cardiovascular disease. I am investigating the use of antithrombotic therapies in patients with mechanical circulatory support, as well as exploring the role of antiarrhythmic drugs and anticoagulation management in patients experiencing cardiogenic shock within the CICU. Additionally, my previous work has examined anticoagulation reversal strategies, the optimal dosing and monitoring of anticoagulants for venous thromboembolism (VTE), and the use of anticoagulation in critically ill patients with COVID-19. I have also explored the application of direct oral anticoagulants in the management of intracardiac thromboses and in patients with chronic kidney disease.

To date, my work has resulted in over 50 peer-reviewed publications and numerous presentations at prominent national and international conferences, including the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the European Society of Cardiology. Looking forward, I plan to expand my research through collaborations with other CICUs to conduct multi-center studies and to deepen my engagement with hematology to better understand the evolving relationship between cardiology and hematology in managing critically ill patients. These efforts aim to develop more personalized, evidence-based treatment protocols that improve clinical outcomes for this complex patient population.