Training and Qualifications
Dr Ramesh de Silva graduated in 1995 from the University of Leeds. Following training in general medicine and cardiology in Yorkshire, he commenced a period of research in cardiac imaging and heart failure and was awarded a Doctorate of Medicine. His speciality training in Cardiology was at Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre and Glenfield Hospital, Leicester.
Further training in coronary intervention and coronary CT angiography was obtained at the Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, USA. He was appointed as a Consultant Cardiologist with a speciality interest in Interventional Cardiology at Bedford and Papworth Hospitals in 2010, performing angioplasty and stenting in patients who have stable angina and also in patients presenting as emergencies with symptoms suggestive of an acute heart attack. Since 2018, he has been based full time at Bedford Hospital, where he is the lead for coronary intervention. Since the merger of Bedford and Luton hospitals, he is actively involved in the process of integrating and cross site working.
Interests and Expertise
He has an ongoing interest in Interventional Cardiology research and has published several articles in peer reviewed journals and presented abstracts at various national and international cardiology conferences. In addition to providing general cardiology consultations and investigations, cardiac procedures performed by Dr de Silva include coronary angiography, coronary angioplasty with stenting, assessment of narrowing’s in the coronary arteries with intra-coronary imaging such as intra-vascular ultra-sound and optical coherence tomography and the use of pressure wires to assess coronary physiology.
Personal History
Dr de Silva was born in Sri Lanka and his primary and secondary education was between both Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. Being exposed to two contrasting educational and cultural systems has given him a unique insight with regards to the expectations of patients. He has an adult daughter and son. Outside of work, his interests are in gardening and music, being able to play several different instruments and composing, recording and producing music as a member of an amateur band.