Sarasijhaa K. Desikan, MD

Undergraduate

• 2005-2009       Bachelor of Arts in Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.                

Post-Graduate Education and Training

• 2009-2013       Doctor of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR.
• 2013-2018       Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency, University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC), Seattle, WA.

Dr. Desikan is an Associate Professor and clinician-scientist in the Division of Vascular Surgery. She delivers comprehensive vascular care and performs a broad spectrum of vascular surgical procedures at the University of Maryland Medical Center and the Baltimore VA Medical Center. She is a federally-funded investigator. Her research focuses on defining and treating cognitive and mobility impairment in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis, with an emphasis on mechanistically informed, innovative interventions to mitigate decline and preserve functional independence.

Beyond her clinical and research responsibilities, Dr. Desikan holds prominent roles in education and leadership across the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus. She serves as President of the UMB Faculty Senate, Associate Clerkship Director for Surgical Rotations, and Director of the Center for Vascular Research Fellowship. She is also actively engaged in civic and community leadership in Baltimore, and serves on the Baltimore Women’s Commission.

Carotid artery stenosis, Aortic aneurysms, Dialysis access, Peripheral arterial disease, Venous disease, Vascular trauma

Desikan SK, Mayorga-Carlin M, Dux MC, Gray VL, Anagnostakos J, Khan AA, Sikdar S, Barth D, Harper S, Sorkin JD, Lal BK. Lack of association between cognitive impairment and systemic inflammation in asymptomatic carotid stenosis. J Vasc Surg. 2022 May;75(5):1643-1650. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2021.11.061. Epub 2021 Dec 16. PMID: 34921963; PMCID: PMC10939009.

Desikan SK, Brahmbhatt B, Patel J, Kankaria AA, Anagnostakos J, Dux M, Beach K, Gray VL, McDonald T, Crone C, Sikdar S, Sorkin JD, Lal BK. Cognitive impairment in asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis is associated with abnormal segments in the Circle of Willis.  J Vasc Surg. 2024 Sep;80(3):746-755.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2024.04.059. Epub 2024 May 6. PMID: 38710420

Desikan SK, Borrelli J, Gray VL, Kankaria AA, Terrin M, Lal BK. Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis is Associated With Mobility Dysfunction: Results From the InChianti Study. Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2025 Feb 27:15385744251323434. doi: 10.1177/15385744251323434. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40017230.

Khan A, Patel J, Desikan S, Chrencik M, Delcid JM, Caraballo B, Yokemick J, Gray VL, Sorkin JD, Cebral J, Sikdar S, Lal BK. Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis is Associated with Cerebral Hypoperfusion. Journal of Vascular Surgery, S0741-5214(20)32328-4, 2020.

Desikan S, Singh N, Steele SR, Tran N, Quiroga E, Garland BT, Starnes BW. The Incidence of Ischemic Colitis After Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms is Decreasing in The Endovascular Era. Annals of Vascular Surgery, 47: 247-252, 2018.

Garland BT, Danaher P, Desikan S, Tran NT, Quiroga E, Singh N, Starnes BW. Preoperative Risk Score for the Prediction of Mortality Following Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 68(4): 991-997, 2018.

Hemingway J, Adjei E, Desikan S, Gross J, Tran N, Singh N, Starnes B, Quiroga E. Re-evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the 0.9 ankle-brachial index threshold in penetrating lower extremity trauma. Journal of Vascular Surgery, S0741-5214(20)30168-3, 2020.

Hemingway J, Adjei E, Desikan S, Gross J, Tran N, Singh N, Starnes B, Quiroga E. Lowering the Ankle-Brachial Index Threshold in Blunt Lower Extremity Trauma May Prevent Unnecessary Imaging. Annals of Vascular Surgery, 62: 106-113, 2020.

Ali AT, Rueda M, Desikan S, Moursi M, An R, Spencer H, Rueda S, Eidt JF. Outcomes After Retroflexed Gracilis Muscle Flap for Vascular Infections in the Groin. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 64(2): 452-457, 2016.