Dr. Kutty – A research star rises

Shelby Kutty, M.D., assistant professor of pediatric cardiology, has received rave reviews for his research into the use of ultrasound technology to break up blood clots in small patients.

Dr. Kutty recently achieved the unprecedented feat of receiving the early career investigator honors awarded by the three major cardiology societies in the country: The American Society of Echocardiography (Athur E. Weyman Award), the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (CVDY early career award).

Shelby Kutty, M.D. (Photo provided by Children’s Hospital and Medical Center)

It is the first time a pediatric cardiologist has won any of the above three honors.

“He is working on applications in pediatrics not being done anywhere in the world right now,” said Thomas Porter, M.D., Hubbard chair of cardiology at UNMC.

The young investigator’s triple crown comes upon the heels of his research into the use of microbubbles and guided three-dimensional ultrasound impulses to dissolve blood clots.

Peel away the clots

The barrage of bubbles would take apart the clots, layer by layer, and restore blood flow.

“It’s just like you peel an onion,” Dr. Kutty said.

And 3-D ultrasound imaging would allow physicians to observe the process as it happens.

Great news for young patients

This type of treatment could benefit children whose cases carry an especially-high risk for clots — those with long-term catheters, shunts or tubes, for example.

“Kids with cancer or kids getting nutritional support have these lines in them for extended periods of time,” Dr. Porter said. And this can lead to complications.

Suitable for the little ones

“Blood clots from vascular access is a big problem, in small patients in particular,” Dr. Kutty said.

But the kind of clot-busting drugs used in adults can cause torrential bleeding in kids.

Restoring blood flow in a non-invasive manner would see enormous benefits.