Dr. Vairakkani R — Consultant in Chennai

Dr. Vairakkani R is a Consultant at MGM Healthcare in Chennai, with more than 20 years of experience in nephrology.

His list covers chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome, haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and continuous renal replacement therapy, percutaneous renal biopsy, and transplant care from pre-transplant evaluation through post-transplant follow-up. Two access procedures are named separately: CAPD catheter insertion for peritoneal dialysis, and central venous permcath insertion for haemodialysis.

He read MBBS and took his MD in general medicine at Madurai Medical College, then his DM in nephrology at Government Stanley Medical College, and also holds the DrNB in nephrology, so his specialty was examined through both routes.

His research has been recognised three times over. He won the best paper award at the 50th annual conference of the Indian Society of Nephrology in 2019 for work on the frusemide stress test, a bedside measure used to judge whether failing kidneys will recover, and took first prize in the quiz competition at the 39th annual conference of the society's southern chapter the same year. He also received the 3rd SVIMS University Gold Medal for an essay on the metabolome and microbiome in kidney disease.

An essay prize on the microbiome sits at the research end of the specialty, while the frusemide stress test belongs at the bedside, and his record carries both.

He has published original articles, review articles and case reports in the Indian Journal of Nephrology and the Brazilian Journal of Nephrology, and practises at MGM Healthcare in Chennai.