(August 28, 2025) Rising from humble beginnings in a small village in Andhra Pradesh, Dr Lokeswara Rao Sajja has climbed the ladder of excellence to change thousands of lives. Today, as Senior Consultant in Cardiothoracic Surgery and Heart Transplant at Star Hospital, Hyderabad, and Chairman of the Sajja Heart Foundation, he has performed over 10,500 cardiac surgeries with a remarkable success rate. He also serves as Director of Cardiovascular Research at Star Hospitals.
One of his landmark contributions has been leading India’s first major heart surgery study — the PROMOTE Patency Trial, which compared two types of bypass surgery to see which gave patients better long-term results. A pioneer committed to advancing cardiac care through both clinical expertise and translational research, he remains the only Indian surgeon to have presented original research at prestigious international platforms like the AATS Annual Meeting in New York (2015) and the International Workshop on Arterial Conduits for Myocardial Revascularization in Rome (2003).
Yet behind these stellar achievements lies a deeply personal journey shaped by tragedy and inspiration. Back in 1967, his sister succumbed to severe mitral stenosis and heart failure, while his father battled tuberculosis with massive hemoptysis. Around the same time, he also encountered a newborn with ectopia cordis, its tiny heart beating outside the chest wall — a sight that left an indelible mark. These early encounters with suffering instilled in him both urgency and purpose, and, coupled with the inspiration of pioneers like Dr Denton A. Cooley, cemented his decision to dedicate his life to cardiothoracic surgery.
“Lasting heart health does not come from drastic changes, but from consistent small habits sustained over time,” he remarks in a chat with Global Indian, reflecting the philosophy that has guided his remarkable journey in medicine.
Triumph over complexity
In a career spanning decades, Dr Lokeswara Rao Sajja has faced countless challenges in the operating theatre, but a few cases remain etched in his memory for the sheer complexity involved and the extraordinary recoveries that followed.
One such case was that of a 69-year-old man, a hypertension patient who had just returned from a spiritual pilgrimage to Kedarnath. As part of his daily routine, he checked his blood pressure — only to find it had dropped alarmingly to 90/60, far below his usual 130/90. Further examination revealed a leaking mitral valve, and he promptly sought Dr Sajja’s expertise.
“Within minutes, he was intubated and shifted to the ICU. Once stabilized, we planned an angiogram to rule out coronary artery disease. He was temporarily discharged with instructions to return in a couple of days. Unfortunately, on the very same day, he suffered a myocardial infarction and was rushed back to our ICU,” recalls Dr Sajja.
The angiogram revealed critical coronary blockages, which left no room for delay. Rising to the challenge, Dr Sajja and his team performed a complex combined procedure — a mitral valve replacement along with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
The surgery proved to be a turning point. Not only did the patient recover, but nearly a decade later, he continues to visit for routine consultations, enjoying a stable and fulfilling life.
Another complex case was of a 81-year-old woman who had frequent episodes of fainting. Initially evaluated by a neurologist, her 2D Echo revealed severe aortic valve stenosis. Given her advanced age, many doctors deemed her “unfit” for open surgery and suggested a percutaneous valve replacement.
But for Dr Sajja, the only real option was surgery. He proceeded with a challenging combined procedure—aortic valve replacement and CABG. Defying expectations, the patient recovered remarkably well.
“Stories like his are what make this journey worthwhile,” smiles Dr Sajja, who was also conferred with the A.P. Scientist Award in 2007 by the AP State Council of Science & Technology for his outstanding contributions in medicine.
The calm within
For Dr Sajja, composure in the operating room is not an accident but the product of preparation and discipline. “Every case begins with careful study of imaging, thoughtful planning, and rehearsing each step with the team,” he explains.
Inside the theatre, he demands silence, precision, and focus. “Panic is infectious, but so is composure,” he reminds his trainees. By remaining calm, he not only sharpens his own focus but also inspires confidence in the entire surgical team.
A member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (USA), the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, and the Asian Society for Cardiovascular Surgery, Dr Lokeswara Rao Sajja also holds a Fellowship from the American College of Surgeons.
Innovator at heart
Innovation has always been central to his work. Among his notable creations is the Mammary Artery Support Platform (MASP), designed to popularize BITA usage in bypass surgery. Nominated for the Best Innovation Award by the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, it facilitates the construction of Y grafts using both mammary arteries, thereby reducing infections and improving outcomes.
He also introduced, for the first time in India (2000), the extra-fascial harvesting technique for radial artery grafts in CABG. In addition, he has been working on a mechanical prosthetic heart valve concept that uses an electrostatic field to maintain surface anticoagulation.
“It’s an approach that aims to minimise, and ultimately eliminate, the need for lifelong oral anticoagulation after mechanical valve implantation,” he explains.
PROMOTE and PREDICT
A defining contribution of Dr Sajja’s career has been leading India’s first multicentre randomised controlled trial in cardiac surgery—the PROMOTE Patency Trial.
“The trial enrolled 320 patients across multiple centres and reported clinical outcomes, which was an important inflection point in building Indian RCT capacity in cardiac surgery,” says Dr Sajja, who has been associated with over 12,500 open-heart operations.
Carrying this forward, he is leading PREDICT, an Indian Council of Medical Research–supported study examining coronary surgery strategies in Indian patients.
“The emphasis is clear: generate robust evidence within Indian populations rather than extrapolate entirely from Western datasets. It is the same ethos I have articulated publicly while calling for national registries that better link diabetes and cardiovascular outcomes in India,” he adds.
Sajja Heart Foundation won Blackbuck Outstanding Research Institution Award
The Sajja Heart Foundation
To advance research tailored to Indian needs, Dr Sajja established the Sajja Heart Foundation (SHF) in 2013. Its mission: foster basic and advanced research in cardiovascular diseases that directly benefits patients.
“At our foundation, we believe that impactful research is not just about publishing papers—it’s about addressing real-world clinical challenges and improving patient outcomes,” he says.
Recognised as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO) by the Government of India in 2019, SHF has supported trials, training programmes, and knowledge dissemination with a focus on Indian challenges.
In 2025, SHF received the Blackbuck Outstanding Research Institution Award at the Medical Research Summit in New Delhi.
“This award serves as an encouragement for all clinician-scientists across India that with perseverance, collaboration, and scientific rigor, we can make meaningful contributions on a national and global scale,” notes Dr Sajja.
Roots and training
Born in Jandrapet Village, Chirala Mandal, Andhra Pradesh, Dr Sajja was drawn to biology from a young age and excelled at writing about great figures like Valmiki and Sir C.V. Raman during his school years.
After medical studies at Guntur Medical College, postgraduate training at JIPMER, and super-specialization in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at AIIMS Delhi, he was inspired by Dr Christiaan Barnard’s pioneering heart transplant.
Later, he honed his skills under the legendary Prof. Denton Cooley at the Texas Heart Institute, Houston. “Training under Prof Cooley shaped my lifelong emphasis on precision and research-led practice,” he recalls.
Dr Sajja with his mentor Prof. Denton Cooley
Scholarship and global recognition
With over 100 papers published in peer-reviewed journals, Dr Sajja’s work spans randomized clinical trials, surgical outcomes, and innovations in coronary bypass surgery. His publications have been cited 2,500+ times, with an h-index of 20 and an i10-index of 36.
His findings are referenced in major textbooks like Cardiac Surgery in the Adult and have influenced American and European Heart Association guidelines.
In 2013, he was elected an Active Member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS)—the first coronary surgeon and only the fourth cardiothoracic surgeon from India to receive this honour since 1917.
Builder of institutions
Dr Sajja’s “builder’s instinct” is evident in his role as Founder-President of the Society of Coronary Surgeons, which has become a hub for refining techniques and case-based learning tailored to India’s unique health burden.
At Star Hospitals, where he has been associated since its founding in 2008, he has cultivated a strong research culture and mentored the next generation of surgeons—an enduring legacy that extends far beyond his own practice.
Dr Lokeswara Sajja while receiving an honour for his services
Looking ahead
“The coming years will likely test and showcase the full arc of our work,” he says ading “If the surface-anticoagulated mechanical valve concept meets its translational milestones and if PREDICT and related Indian datasets continue to mature, Indian cardiac surgery could see a genuine shift—devices and decisions validated at home, then exported.”
Beyond the scalpel
Outside the OR, Dr Sajja is as disciplined as he is inside it. An advocate of balance, his day begins with early morning walks, light yoga, and a simple vegetarian diet. He enjoys tennis, carroms, and music, and is an avid reader of philosophy, history, and Telugu literature.
“In addition, I remain a keen reader… drawing from cultural and spiritual roots that enrich my professional outlook,” he says. Mentoring young doctors is another pursuit he values deeply: “It is both a responsibility and a joy.”
A lasting legacy
From performing 10,500+ surgeries with 99.8 percent success, to pioneering innovations, leading India’s first cardiac surgery RCT, and building enduring research institutions, Dr Lokeswara Rao Sajja’s contributions span practice, science, and mentorship.
“Lasting heart health does not come from drastic changes, but from consistent small habits sustained over time,” he often reminds patients. In many ways, that philosophy mirrors his own journey—a career built steadily, step by step, into one of India’s most remarkable legacies in cardiothoracic surgery.
Congratulations to Dr Sajja Lonkeswara Rao ji
Very much appreciated Highly commendable
Dr.Lokeswara Rao very great simplysity person and also he was comparison the human body nerves as like as weaving yarn threads.He was moving ,as like as comon man. In his profession dedicated to life challenge to give support to patient families
Pattabhadrula Sangham appeal central government to award “padmasri “to Dr.Sajja