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Mount Sinai Hospital
Joseph & Wolf Lebovic Health Complex
600 University Avenue
Toronto Ontario M5G 1X5
Tel.: 416-586-4800
► Web of Science Researcher ID
A-2669-2015
Dr. Mrinalini Balki
SENIOR CLINICIAN SCIENTIST
Dr. Mrinalini Balki is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesia, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto and a Staff anesthesiologist, Mount Sinai Hospital. Her clinical specialty is obstetric anesthesia.
Dr. Balki’s main research interests include ultrasound scanning for neuraxial procedures, optimizing the management of postpartum hemorrhage, obstetric airway management, as well as creating an obstetric anesthesia simulation training program.
In labor and delivery settings, she studies ways to improve anesthesia practice for enhanced patient safety, including optimizing the doses of spinal drugs, vasopressors, antiemetics and uterotonics for C-sections; intravenous patient-controlled analgesia regimens for labour analgesia; and spinal ultrasound.
She has conducted nationwide epidemiology studies to understand the etiologies and risk factors associated with complex conditions such as cardiac arrest in a pregnant patient.
She is a principal investigator on several clinical and basic science studies on postpartum hemorrhage, including those relating to the effects of uterotonics on myometrial contractility in animal models and in humans. This work aims at understanding and preventing oxytocin-induced desensitization phenomenon, which is associated with postpartum hemorrhage, and finding appropriate pharmacotherapy in these settings.
Among many awards, Dr. Balki was recognized with Clinician Scientist Award, Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society Research award, RA Gordon Award, and SOAP/Gertie Marx Research and Education Grant. She has received Zuspan Award from the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology for collaborative research between obstetricians and anesthesiologists on several occasions. She was also awarded the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society annual best paper award in obstetric anesthesia and Richard Knill competition award in many meetings.
Dr. Balki obtained her MD (Anesthesia) from Nagpur University, India and completed fellowships in Clinical anesthesia (St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto), Neuroanesthesia (Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto) and Obstetric anesthesia (Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto). She has published more than 75 peer-reviewed primary research articles.
At a Glance
Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesia and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto and Staff Anesthesiologist, Mount Sinai Hospital
Faculty, Wilson Centre and SimSinai Centre, Mount Sinai Hospital
Pioneer in teaching ultrasound for spine demarcation at national and international levels
Research has changed the practice of administering uterotonics during labour and delivery
Promoted teamwork in multidisciplinary settings and patient safety initiatives
Research recognized by the international Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology and the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society
Major Research Activities
Dr. Balki’s research interests include spinal ultrasound, post-partum hemorrhage, myometrial contractility and uterotonics, labour analgesia, obstetric simulation and intraoperative nausea and vomiting.
