Hitendra Patel

Dr. Hitendra Patel is a pediatric cardiologist who specializes in cardiac catheterization (a procedural technique in which a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is passed into a blood vessel to reach the heart for diagnosis and intervention), and cardiac critical care. He serves as director of cardiology at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland.

Patel's research focuses on developing devices to close two types of heart birth defects that involve abnormal openings, atrial septal defects (a hole in the wall between the heart's upper chambers) and patent ductus arteriosus (a hole between two major vessels coming from the heart that normally closes up after birth). He is also interested in studying the lymphatic system, including its abnormalities.

Patel earned his medical degree from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, part of Imperial College London. He completed multiple residencies in the United Kingdom, including one in internal medicine at Birmingham City Hospital, one in pediatrics at Leeds General Infirmary, and one in pediatrics and pediatric cardiology at Great Ormond Street Hospital. He subsequently completed a residency in pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Buffalo, followed by a fellowship in pediatric cardiology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Patel is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and a member of the Royal College of Physicians.