Mrinalini Balki
MBBS, MD
Dr. Balki has established a state-of-the art laboratory at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, and her basic science program focuses on physiology of myometrial contractions with various uterotonics and oxytocin-induced desensitization phenomenon. This translational research is being undertaken in an effort to further the understanding of the pharmacotherapy of postpartum hemorrhage, and has already led to a change in clinical practice of the use of uterotonics. Dr. Balki has taken a keen interest in developing and spreading the technique of spinal/epidural ultrasound scanning though workshops in various national and international conferences and by creating an online teaching module in the Canadian Journal of Anesthesia. Her other research interests include obstetric anesthesia and labor analgesia, obstetric anesthesia simulation, maternal mortality and morbidity in addition to high risk obstetrics.
Dr. Balki has published several articles in the peer reviewed journals, as well as book chapters and editorials. She has won many prestigious awards at the annual meetings of the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) and Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society (CAS), including Career Scientist Award from the CAS. She is an editorial member of the Canadian Journal of Anesthesia. She received funding for her research work from the CAS (Career Scientist Award, Dr. RA Gordon Research Award, New investigator Research Award), University of Toronto (Departments of Anesthesia and Obstetrics & Gynaecology), Mount Sinai Hospital foundation, Dean’s Fund, Inaugural SOAP/ Gertie Marx Research & Education Grant, Ontario AHSC AFP Innovation Funds from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Recent Publications
- Nguyen-Lu N, Carvalho JC, Farine D, Seaward G, Ye Xiang, Balki M. Carbetocin at cesarean delivery for labor arrest: A sequential allocation trial to determine the effective dose. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia 2015; 62:866-874. (SRA)
- Balki M, Erik-Soussi M, Ramchandran N, Kingdom J, Carvalho JCA. Contractile effects of oxytocin, ergonovine and carboprost and their combinations: An in vitro study on human myometrial strips. Anesthesia Analgesia 2015;120:1074-1084. (PA)
- Balki M, Chakravarty S, Salman A, Wax R. Effectiveness of teaching in the management of general anesthesia for cesarean delivery using high-fidelity simulation. Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia 2014: 61:922-934. (PA)
- Balki M, Erik-Soussi M, Kingdom J, Carvalho JCA. Comparative efficacy of uterotonic agents: In-vitro contractions in isolated myometrial strips of laboring and non-laboring women. Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia 2014;61:808-818. (PA)
- Terblanche N, Arzola C, Wills KE, Lawson R, Blackford D, Balki M. Standardised training programme in spinal ultrasound for epidural insertion: Protocol-driven vs. Non-protocol driven teaching approach. Anesthesia and Intensive care 2014; 42: 460-466. (SRA)
- Balki M, Tsen L. Oxytocin protocols for cesarean delivery. The International Anesthesiology Clinics 2014; 52:48-66. (PA)
- Khan M, Balki M, Ahmed I, Farine D, Seaward G, Carvalho JC. Carbetocin at elective Cesarean delivery: A sequential allocation trial to determine the minimum effective dose. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia 2014; 61: 242-248. (CPA)
- Lorello G, Cubillos J, McDonald M, Balki M. Peripartum cardiomyopathy – Postpartum decompensation and use of non-invasive cardiac output monitor. International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia 2014; 23: 66-70. (SRA)
- Bagirzadah L, Balki M. Maternal cardiac arrest in a tertiary care center during 1989-2011: A case series. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia 2013; 60: 1077-1084. (SRA)
Appointments
Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto
Active Staff, Department of Anesthesia, Mount Sinai Hospital
Faculty Member, Wilson centre, University Health Network
Editorial Board Member, Canadian Journal of Anesthesia
Research Board Committee Member, Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology
Consultant Staff, SimSinai Centre, Mount Sinai Hospital
Consultant Staff, Kensington Eye Institute, Toronto
Consultant Staff, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto
Honours and Awards
Name: Merit Research Award
Description:
University of Toronto, Department of Anesthesia, Toronto. Jul 2015 - June 2017
University of Toronto, Department of Anesthesia, Toronto. Jul 2013 - June 2015
Name: Best Paper Award in Obstetric Anesthesia
Description:
Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society Annual Meeting, Ottawa, Ontario. Jun 19-22, 2015
Name: Patient Safety Award
Description:
47th Annual Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Meeting, Colorado Springs, Colorado. May 13-17, 2015
Name: Research in Education Award
Description:
47th Annual Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Meeting, Colorado Springs, Colorado. May 13-17, 2015
Name: First place in Gertie Marx competition
Description:
47th Annual Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Meeting, Colorado Springs, Colorado. May 13-17, 2015
Name: Best paper award in Richard Knill competition
Description:
Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society Annual Meeting, Calgary, Alberta, June 21-24, 2013 - June 30, 2014
Name: Dr. R. A. Gordon Research Award
Description:
Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society, July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014
Name: CAS Career Scientist Award in Anesthesia
Description:
Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society, July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2015