Dr. Refai Showkathali

Senior Consultant

27 Years of Experience

Cardiologist

MBBS, CCT, MRCP

Reg. No.:62799 Tamil Nadu Medical Council, 1999

Apollo Hospital Chennai, Greams Road

English, Tamil

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About Dr. Refai Showkathali

Dr. Refai Showkathali is a highly accomplished and internationally trained Cardiologist with years of clinical experience in advanced cardiac care. Currently practicing as a senior cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, he is widely regarded as one of the top Cardiologists in Chennai for managing complex coronary and structural heart diseases. His extensive training and fellowships in the United Kingdom have shaped his expertise in high-risk, cutting-edge interventional cardiology.

As a leading Apollo Heart Doctor in Chennai, Dr. Refai Showkathali specializes in advanced procedures such as CHIP-PCI for cardiogenic shock, mechanical circulatory support using Impella and ECMO, Left Main PCI, and complex coronary interventions. He is particularly known for adopting next-generation techniques including Zero (ultra-low) contrast PCI, bifurcation PCI, calcium modification therapies like Rotablation, Orbital Atherectomy, LASER and IVL, CTO interventions, post-bypass stenting, and drug-coated balloon angioplasty—primarily via radial access to ensure patient safety and faster recovery.

Recognized as a trusted Heart Specialist in Chennai, Dr. Refai Showkathali Apollo Hospital Chennai also has deep expertise in coronary imaging and physiology, including OCT, IVUS, and FFR, enabling precision-guided interventions. His structural heart expertise spans TAVI, MitraClip, TMVR, TRIC valve procedures, implantation of permanent and leadless pacemakers, AICDs, CRT, and conduction system pacing. He also performs advanced device-based therapies such as ASD/VSD closure, PFO closure, and Left Atrial Appendage closure. Notably, he performed the first renal denervation (RDN) procedure in Tamil Nadu for resistant hypertension using the Simplicity catheter.

Dr. Refai Showkathali’s Expertise and Specializations

Interventional Cardiology & Coronary Artery Disease: As a leading Apollo Heart Doctor in Chennai, Dr. Refai Showkathali specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease, including coronary angiography, angioplasty, and stent placement. His expertise ensures precise interventions with optimal safety and recovery outcomes.
Heart Failure Management: Recognized as one of the best Cardiologists in Chennai, Dr. Refai Showkathali provides advanced care for acute and chronic heart failure, focusing on evidence-based medical therapy, risk stratification, and long-term cardiac function optimization.
Hypertension & Preventive Cardiology: As a trusted Heart Specialist in Chennai, he manages hypertension, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome, helping patients reduce cardiovascular risk through lifestyle modification and preventive strategies.
Arrhythmias & Cardiac Rhythm Disorders: Dr. Refai Showkathali evaluates and treats cardiac rhythm abnormalities, including atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias, using advanced diagnostic and medical management techniques.
Cardio-Metabolic & Diabetic Heart Disease: He offers specialized care for patients with diabetes-related heart conditions, addressing the complex interaction between metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease.

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Top Procedures and Estimated Costs Performed by Dr. Refai Showkathali

Below is an estimated cost overview of cardiology consultations and procedures managed by Dr. Refai Showkathali at Apollo Hospital Chennai:

Procedure	Cost in INR	Cost in USD
Cardiology Consultation	INR 1,500 – INR 2,000	USD 18 – USD 25
Coronary Angiography	INR 25,000 – INR 50,000	USD 300 – USD 600
Coronary Angioplasty (Stenting)	INR 1,50,000 – INR 3,50,000	USD 1,800 – USD 4,200
Heart Failure Evaluation	INR 20,000 – INR 50,000	USD 240 – USD 600
Hypertension Workup	INR 10,000 – INR 25,000	USD 120 – USD 300
Cardiac Risk Assessment	INR 8,000 – INR 20,000	USD 95 – USD 240
Arrhythmia Evaluation	INR 15,000 – INR 40,000	USD 180 – USD 480
Preventive Cardiac Screening	INR 12,000 – INR 30,000	USD 145 – USD 360
Lipid & Metabolic Evaluation	INR 5,000 – INR 15,000	USD 60 – USD 180
Long-term Cardiology Follow-Up	INR 8,000 – INR 20,000	USD 95 – USD 240

Note: Costs are indicative and may vary depending on hospital protocols, consumables, and clinical complexity.

Some Noteworthy Patient Reviews of Dr. Refai Showkathali

Feedback reflected in Dr. Refai Showkathali's reviews highlights his expertise, calm communication style, and patient-first approach:

“Dr. Refai Showkathali is one of the best cardiologists in Chennai—very knowledgeable and reassuring.”
“A highly skilled heart specialist who explained my angioplasty procedure clearly.”
“Excellent care and follow-up for my heart condition.”

MediJourney assists patients in coordinating an appointment with Dr. Refai Showkathali at Apollo Hospital, Chennai. Our team provides complete support with scheduling, shares details about Dr. Refai Showkathali's consultation fees, and helps patients access Dr. Refai Showkathali's contact number upon request.

For trusted, advanced heart care, connect with MediJourney to consult Dr. Refai Showkathali, Cardiologist at Apollo Hospital Chennai.

OPD Schedule Of Dr. Refai Showkathali

Consultation Fees Rs. 1000 /-

Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai

Monday 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Tuesday 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Wednesday 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Thursday 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Friday 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Saturday 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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Education

MBBS - The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University (TNMGRMU), 1999
MRCP (UK) - Royal Colleges Of Physicians,london, Uk, 2004
CCT - Cardiology - General Medical Council, 2012

Past Experience

Senior Consultant – Cardiology, Apollo Hospital Chennai (Current)
Interventional Cardiologist, The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, Essex, UK (September 2013 – June 2014)
Post-CCT Senior TAVI / Structural Interventional Fellow, King’s College Hospital, London (October 2012 – September 2013)
Specialist Training (ST) Rotation – Cardiology (Intervention), East of England Deanery (August 2007 – October 2012)

Awards

Successfully performed “World’s first Renal denervation procedure” in ectopic kidneys (left kidney on right side) with Medtronic Simplicity Spyral RDN catheter on 30 April 2024.
Successfully performed TRIC Valve implantation for severe tricuspid regurgitation for a 70-year-old patient in February 2024, who already had two prosthetic heart valves.
Performed the first Renal denervation procedure with Simplicity Spyral denervation catheter in Tamil Nadu and the oldest patient to undergo this procedure in India (73 years) in September 2023.
Performed India’s first transradial (via wrist) rotablation with the new Rotapro device for left main stem PCI on 25 April 2022 in a 74-year-old male patient.
First to perform successful transradial rotablation PCI in a nonagenarian (93-year-old) in South India in 2018.
2012 Winner of Academic Poster of the Year Award – East of England Deanery
2011 “Runner-up” Research Proposal of the Year Award – East of England Deanery
First time in India to perform “Micra” leadless pacemaker and “Orbital atherectomy” guided PCI for the same patient.
First to perform Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) in the left main artery with IABP support and complex DK crush technique angioplasty in India for a live case demonstration.
First to perform the bi-radial Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) PCI technique of 100% blocked artery retrogradely in India.
He regularly presents complex cardiac cases at international conferences, some of which have been selected as best cases at SCAI and EURO PCR.

Associations/Membership

The Fellowship of The American College of Cardiology (FACC)
The Fellowship of The Royal College of Physicians (London)- FRCP
The Fellowship of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC)
British Cardiovascular Society (BCS)
British Cardiovascular Intervention Society (BCIS)
European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Intervention (EAPCI)
American Heart Association (AHA)

Paper Published

Acute Haemodynamic Changes After BAV and TAVI
TAVI Device Evaluation Studies (Co-Investigator)
Risk Scoring Model for Heart Failure (Pilot Study)
The Use of Embolic Deflector Device in TAVI
Valve-in-Valve Implantation to Prevent Prosthetic Valve Migration in TAVI
Incidental Findings During TAVI Work-Up: More Than Just an Inconvenience
Should Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Be the Routine Reperfusion Strategy in Octogenarians Presenting With ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction?
Comparison of Bivalirudin With Heparin Versus Abciximab With Heparin for Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in “Real-World” Practice
The Advantages of a Consultant-Led Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Service on Patient Outcome
Typical Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Admitted for Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Right Atrial Flutter Isthmus Ablation Is Feasible and Results in Acute Clinical Improvement in Patients With Persistent Atrial Flutter and Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Current Case Mix and Results of Catheter Ablation of Regular Supraventricular Tachycardia: Are We Giving Unrealistic Expectations to Patients?
Radiofrequency Ablation of Arrhythmias Guided by Non-Fluoroscopic Catheter Location: A Prospective Randomized Trial
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Short Review
Rosuvastatin Calcium in Acute Coronary Syndromes
Antiplatelet and Antithrombin Strategies in Acute Coronary Syndrome: State-of-the-Art Review
Echocardiography and the Critically Ill Patient