The Department of Respiratory Medicine was started at Shri B.M Patil Medical college in 1989. Dr. S. Chandrashekhar was the first Professor & Head of the Department. The department was later headed by Dr. Prabhakar Rao in the year 1996. Dr . Ramesh S Babar later joined in the department as professor and HOD in the year 2004. Dr. Keertivardhan D Kulkarni was appointed as HOD from 2024.
It is catering to the Under-graduate (MBBS) teaching as per NMC/CBME/MCI norms.
Post-graduate courses in the department started in the year 2019.
Department of Respiratory Medicine was one of the main Departments which was actively involved in the management of COVID-19 cases where it managed Flu Corner, Covid ICU services and in active training of Medical students, Faculty and Nursing staff in management of Covid cases as per ICMR and Karnataka state Guidelines.
The department also runs PhD programme along with courses like pulmonary function tests , Asthma and Allergy.
We are committed to provide comprehensive and unparalleled Respiratory care in our area.
Our mission is to sustain leadership in patient care, in clinical research, and in training the next generation of exceptional clinicians and researchers of our specialty in an environment that fosters creativity, diversity, inclusiveness, and synergy.
The Department of Respiratory Medicine at BLDE (Deemed to be University) is actively engaged in clinical and academic research, focusing on the diagnosis, management, and prevention of pulmonary diseases. Faculty and postgraduate students regularly undertake research projects and dissertations aligned with emerging respiratory health concerns, including tuberculosis, asthma, COPD, interstitial lung diseases, and post-COVID respiratory complications. It partners with National Health bodies & Institutions for multi-speciality studies and has contributed various publications to peer-reviewed journals. Also department is conducting various research initiatives, the department aims to enrich evidence-base care & enhance patient outcomes in respiratory health.
| SI. NO | Title Of The Article | Authors | Name of Journal | Issue-page No-Year/Month Of Publication | Website Link For Publication | Type of Article |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pulmonary cavity: an additional entity to the Spectrum of covid-19 complications | Keertivardhan D Kulkarni, V Pranavi, Apoorva Ravi, Ht Lathadevi, Sm Biradar | Journal of clinical and diagnostic research. | Vol-16(7), Or01-or05, 2022 July | 10.7860/JCDR/2022/55252.16663 | Case series |
| 2 | Clinical Profile and Radiological Pattern in Follow‐up Study of Patients Treated for Moderate‐to‐severe Covid‐19 Pneumonia | Vijayakumar, Apoorva Ravi, V. Pranavi | 2023 Blde University Journal of Health Sciences | Volume 8, Issue 1, 187-191, January-june 2023 | 10.4103/BJHS.BJHS_94_22 | Case Report |
| 3 | Left Ventricular and Right Ventricular Functional Changes in Cases of Copd and Its Corelation With Severity-a Cross-sectional Study | Keertivardhan D Kulkarni, Pa Mahesh | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. | VOL-16(1), OC20-OC23, 2022 Jan | 10.7860/JCDR/2022/50524.15907 | Original Article |
| 4 | Effectiveness of Out Patient Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program in Patients With Chronic Lung Diseases | Shreeshail H, Manjunath M, R.N.Toshniwal | International Journal of Contemporary Medical Research | Volume 7, ISSUE10 , J1-J8 October 2020 ISSN (ONLINE): 2393-915X; (PRINT): 2454-7379 | IJCMR_3242_V5.PDF | Original Research Article |
| 5 | Assessment of Technique of Inhaler Usage in Follow-up Patients of Asthma and Copd Attending the Tertiary Care Hospital in North Karnataka, India -an Educational Intervention Study. | Keertivardhan D. Kulkarni & Tanuja P. Pattankar | International Journal of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Ijmps) | VOL. 10, ISSUE 4, 55-62, August, 2020 ISSN (P): 2250-0049; ISSN (E): 2321-0095 | View Paper | Original Article |
| 6 | Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis Among Adult Bronchial Asthmatic Patients of North Karnataka, India | Keertivardhan D. Kulkarni, Tanuja P. Pattankar | 2020 Indian Journal Of Respiratory Care | Volume 9, ISSUE 2, 183-185 , July ,Year 2020 | 10.4103/IJRC.IJRC_43_19 | Original Article |
| 7 | A Three-year Experience With Genexpert Mtb/rif Assay In Tuberculosis Control Programme (Rntcp)- A Clinical Study | Santosh Kumar Nemagouda | Journal Of Evolution Of Medical And Dental Sciences | VOL. 8, ISSUE 41, PG NO-3080-3083 OCT. 14, 2019 EISSN- 2278-4802, PISSN- 2278-4748/ | 10.14260/JEMDS/2019/669 | Original Research Article |
| 8 | Spirometric Abnormalities in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus | Santosh Kumar Nemagouda | Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences | VOL. 8, ISSUE 40, OCT. 07, 2019 3014-3018 EISSN- 2278-4802, PISSN- 2278-4748 | 10.14260/JEMDS/2019/655 | Original Research Article |
| 9 | Rapid Diagnosis of Tubercular Bacilli in Sputum Cytology | Rajat Kumar, Khushbu Kumari , K D Kulkarni , S. S Hiremath , Prabhu M H | Annals of Applied Bio-sciences, | VOL. 5, ISSUE 3, Spetember 2018. 90-93 E-ISSN:2349-6991; P-ISSN: 2455-0396 | 10.21276/AABS.2343 | Original Article |
| 10 | Study of Pulmonary Function in Patient With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. | Suma Rama Gopal Gangisetty, S S Devarmani , Santosh Nemagouda, Vijay Kumar Warad , S G Balaganur , Ravi Kattimani | Annals of International Medical and Dental Research, | VOL (4), ISSUE (2) , JANUARY 2018 12-15 ISSN (O):2395-2822; ISSN (P):2395-2814 | IMSEAR | Original Article |
| 11 | Clinical Evaluation of Nebulised Budesonide in Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease– a Randomised Study | Gajanan. Gaude, Santosh Nemagouda | Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences | VOL. 6, ISSUE 92, DEC. 04, 2017 6561-6565 EISSN- 2278-4802, PISSN- 2278-4748 | 10.14260/JEMDS/2017/1422 | Original Research Article |
| 12 | Possible Hypoxia Signaling Induced Alteration of Glucose Homeostasis in Rats Exposed to Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia - Role of Antioxidant (Vitamin C) and Ca2+ Channel Blocker (Cilnidipine) | Kusal K. Das, Santosh R. Nemagouda , Satish G. Patil and Sikha Saha | Current Signal Transduction Therapy | Volume 11,number 1, April 1, 2016 Page No 49-55 | 10.2174/1574362411666160517131248 | Original Article |
| 13 | The Antitubercular Drug Induced Adverse Effects in Registered Cases Under Rntcp – Dots, Programme in Bijapur | Nemagouda S | Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences | VOL. 3, ISSUE 19, MAY 12, 2014 PAGE: 5255-5262 | 10.14260/JEMDS/2014/2584 | Original Article |
| 14 | Clinical Efficacy of Nebulized Budesonide in Acute Exacerbation of Copd | Nemagouda S | Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences | VOL. 3, ISSUE 15, APR 14, 2014 PAGE NO 4121-4131 EISSN- 2278-4802, PISSN- 2278-4748 | 10.14260/JEMDS/2014/2407 | Original Article |
| 15 | Nebulized Corticosteroids in the Management of Acute Exacerbation of Copd | G. S. Gaude, S. Nadagouda | Lung India | VOL 27 ,ISSUE 4, OCT - DEC 2010 230-235 | 10.4103/0970-2113.71957 | Original Article |
On-going Studies
| Sl. No | Topic | Study Type | Candidate | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Comparison of Inhalational drugs Formeterol + Glycopyrronium [LABA-LAMA] Vs Formeterol + Budesonide [LABA-ICS] and outcomes in cases of COPD- Randomized control trail | PG Dissertation | Dr.Madhav Mahawar 21BMRSM02 CTRI/2023/07/054973 | Dr.Keertivardhan D Kulkarni |
| 2 | Assessment of pleural effusion using lights criteria and its correlation with ultrasound thorax and its impact on management of pleural effusion and its correlation with pleural fluid procalcitonin levels | PG Dissertation | Dr. Likhitha Bokka 21BMRSM01 | Dr. Ramesh S Babar |
| 3 | Comparison of ventilator associated pneumonia between pulmonary and non-pulmonary indications for mechanical ventilation | PG Dissertation | Dr. Manisha Reddy 22BMRSM01 | Dr.Keertivardhan D Kulkarni |
| 4 | Evaluation of contacts of TB for active or latent TB and factors associated with management | PG Dissertation | Dr. Sagarika N Suresh 22BMRSM02 | Dr. Ramesh S Babar |
| 5 | Effectiveness of three months pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic respiratory diseases | PG Dissertation | Dr. S Shyam 23BMRSM01 | Dr. Ramesh S Babar |
| 6 | Comparison of pulmonary function, surfactant protein B levels in COPD patients and age matched controls visiting tertiary care hospital | PG Dissertation | Dr. Saurav S Suresh 23BMRSM02 | Dr.Keertivardhan D Kulkarni |
| 7 | Evaluation of newer genotypic tests [Cepheid Xpert MTB/Rif ultra and Cepheid Xpert MTB /XDR] for resistant patterns and its impact on the management of MDR TB patients of Vijayapura district. | PHD Dissertation | Dr. Keertivardhan D Kulkarni, Professor & HOD | Dr.Tejashwini Vallabha |
Completed Dissertations
| Sl. No | Topic | Study Type | Candidate | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allergen sensitivity pattern and its correlation with total serum IgE levels and eosinophil count among patients with Allergic rhinitis and/or Asthma in North Karnataka | PG Dissertation | Dr. Pranavi V | Dr. Ramesh S Babar |
| 2 | A Clinical study of Serum Cystatin C levels in cases of COPD and its correlation with spirometry and impact on their quality of life | PG Dissertation | Dr. Ravi Apoorva | Dr. Ramesh S Babar |
The Department of Respiratory Medicine at BLDE (Deemed to be University) offers a comprehensive suite of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services tailored to respiratory health. With a 30-bedded general ward, a 5-bedded Respiratory Intensive Care Unit (RICU), a fully equipped PFT lab, and a dedicated bronchoscopy suite, the department delivers both OPD and IPD services with clinical excellence. It actively participates in national programs like the RNTCP/NTEP and the MDRTB Free Treatment Scheme, treating numerous drug-resistant TB cases annually. Specialized services include advanced pulmonary function testing (Spirometry, MVV, DLCO), daily asthma and allergy clinics with skin prick testing, bronchoscopy with biopsy procedures, and image-guided lung interventions like thoracocentesis, pleural aspirations, ICD insertions, and CT/USG-guided biopsies. The department also extends expert respiratory consultations to other clinical specialties, ensuring integrated patient care across disciplines.
A specialized 5-bedded unit equipped for the critical care management of severe respiratory conditions.
Facilitates comprehensive respiratory evaluations including Spirometry, MVV, DLCO, and multiple breath tests.
Offers advanced diagnostic procedures like bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial and transbronchial biopsies.
Provides free and structured care for drug-resistant TB patients under national health programs.
Explore our Facilities Gallery to get a glimpse of the state-of-the-art infrastructure in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, including the RICU, Bronchoscopy Suite, PFT Lab, and advanced diagnostic services.
















The Department of Respiratory Medicine has made significant contributions in both clinical service and academic excellence. Dr. Keertivardhan D. Kulkarni was honored with appreciation letters from the District TB Officer and government authorities for his remarkable contributions toward the “TB-Free India” campaign, as well as for his dedicated COVID-19 services at the Government District Hospital, Vijayapura. In academic forums, Dr. Apoorva Ravi secured a Gold Medal for the SARS poster presentation in 2022, showcasing research excellence. Additionally, Dr. Pranavi V. was awarded for her essay on World TB Day, underlining the department’s active involvement in public health awareness initiatives.
Appreciation Letter to Dr. Keertivardhan D Kulkarni for Contribution in TB Free India. Letter Given by District TB Officer, Vijayapura and Government Authorities.

Gold Medal for Sars Poster Presentation 2022 Awarded to Dr. Apoorva Ravi

Appreciation Letter for Dr. Keertivardhan D Kulkarni Covid19 Pandemic Services at Government District Hospital, Vijayapura

World TB Day Essay Writing Award Presented to Dr. Pranavi. V

The Department of Respiratory Medicine actively engages in a wide array of academic, clinical, and community outreach programs. Regular health awareness programs and observation of national health days such as World TB Day are conducted to educate patients and the public about respiratory diseases. The department organizes CME programs and guest lectures focusing on updates in tuberculosis management, interventional pulmonology, and chronic respiratory diseases. Clinical skill-building activities like hands-on workshops in spirometry, bronchoscopy, and ICD insertion techniques are conducted for postgraduate students. The department is also involved in conducting RNTCP/NTEP-based training sessions, supporting MDRTB management, and contributing to various collaborative public health initiatives.
Latest news on academic programs, campus events, research, and exclusive insights.