Ara Sahakian, MD

Title(s)Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine
SchoolKeck School of Medicine of Usc
AddressHCC 300G 1510 San Pablo Street
Health Sciences Campus
Los Angeles CA 90089
Phone+1 323 442 5576
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    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse Awards and Honors
    2008Internal Medicine
    2012Gastroenterology
    Yale-New Haven Hospital2012Samuel Kushlan Award for Outstanding Clinical Fellow

    Collapse Overview 
    Collapse Overview
    Dr. Sahakian is a board certified gastroenterologist with specialized training in advanced endoscopic techniques and medical treatment of complex biliary and pancreatic disorders. He completed his gastroenterology fellowship at Yale University, where he was awarded the Samuel Kushlan Award in 2012 as the most outstanding fellow of his class. After his gastroenterology fellowship, Dr. Sahakian spent an additional year at Yale to complete his advanced endoscopy fellowship. During this time he trained with renowned experts in the field, gaining extensive experience in advanced endoscopic procedures, such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), undoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR).

    Dr. Sahakian also has a special interest in endoscopic removal of mucosal tumors of the GI tract. He spent one month at the National Cancer Center in Japan to acquire specialized training in Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) and Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD), an exciting new technique used to remove large superficial gastrointestinal tumors all in one piece. His research interests include quality and training in endoscopic procedures, evaluation and resection of large colon polyps, and maximizing the efficiency of EUS guided fine needle aspiration. Dr. Sahakian has also authored the chapter on ERCP in pregnancy in a prominent ERCP textbook and has published several peer-reviewed research papers in well-known journals.

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse Publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Researchers can login to make corrections and additions, or contact us for help. to make corrections and additions.
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    Altmetrics Details PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. A Preliminary Controlled Trial of Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Fiducial Markers to Guide Pancreas Surgery. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2023 Dec 19. Chang PW, Sadik J, Sahakian AB, Kankotia R, Ko C, Serna J, Rodriguez A, Lee H, Kulkarni S, Genyk Y, Sheikh M, Buxbaum JL. PMID: 38112649.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    2. Underwater versus conventional endoscopic mucosal resection for colorectal lesions: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Endosc Int Open. 2023 Oct; 11(10):E935-E942. Chowdhury AR, Kim JS, Xu M, Tom C, Narala R, Kong N, Lee H, Vazquez A, Sahakian A, Phan J, Buxbaum J. PMID: 37818454; PMCID: PMC10562051.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    3. Increasing Antibiotic-Resistant Infections With Inpatient Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangioscopies (ERCP) Is Associated With Higher Mortality in the United States: A Cross-sectional Cohort Study. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2023 Jun 19. Chang PW, Bui A, Zhou S, Sahakian AB, Buxbaum JL, Phan J. PMID: 37339277.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    4. Hybrid resection of GI stromal tumor with endoscopic submucosal dissection and the full-thickness resection device. VideoGIE. 2023 Jan; 8(1):8-10. Angajala V, Yung E, Buxbaum J, Sahakian A. PMID: 36644241; PMCID: PMC9832239.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    5. Pancreatic schwannoma: Case report, clinico-pathologic correlation, and review of the literature. Radiol Case Rep. 2022 Oct; 17(10):3504-3510. Ntafam C, Miller AT, Beutler BD, Bamporiki J, Sahakian AB, Cheng PM. PMID: 35912298; PMCID: PMC9334929.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1  
    6. Double pigtail stent placement as an adjunct to lumen-apposing metal stentsfor drainage of pancreatic fluid collections may not affect outcomes: A multicenter experience. Endosc Ultrasound. 2022 Jan-Feb; 11(1):53-58. Shamah SP, Sahakian AB, Chapman CG, Buxbaum JL, Muniraj T, Aslanian HA, Villa E, Cho J, Haider HI, Waxman I, Siddiqui UD. PMID: 35102901; PMCID: PMC8887040.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 12  
    7. Persistent pancreatic fistula following distal pancreatectomy. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2021 12 01; 91(6):e164-e165. Forestiere MJ, Sahakian A, Hanks SE, Matsushima K. PMID: 32068721.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    8. Single-use duodenoscopes: The next disruptor or passing fad? Gastrointest Endosc. 2021 12; 94(6):1056-1058. Sahakian AB, Siddiqui UD. PMID: 34607702.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    9. Bleeding from Small Intestine: No Man's Land. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2020 Jan; 33(1):16-21. Sahakian A, Lee SW, Shin J. PMID: 31915421; PMCID: PMC6946605.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1  
    10. Qualitative and Quantitative Contrast-enhanced Endoscopic Ultrasound Improves Evaluation of Focal Pancreatic Lesions. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020 04; 18(4):917-925.e4. Buxbaum J, Ko C, Varghese N, Lee A, Sahakian A, King K, Serna J, Lee H, Tchelepi H, Van Dam J, Duddalwar V. PMID: 31499247.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    11. Not Just Your Ordinary Tumor: A Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Esophagus. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2020; 32(1):176-178. Zamora AK, Chopra S, Sahakian A, Kim AW. PMID: 31271852.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    12. Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: Should Endoscopy Be Within the Scope of Practice? Dig Dis Sci. 2019 06; 64(6):1395-1396. Leonor P, Sahakian AB. PMID: 30734237.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    13. Obscure Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage Secondary to Meckel's Diverticulum Diagnosed by Retrograde Double-Balloon Enteroscopy. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020 04; 18(4):e44-e45. Khadarian K, Arulanandan A, Sahakian AB. PMID: 30826438.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    14. Endoscopic Ultrasound Assessment of Pancreatic Duct Diameter Predicts Neuroendocrine Tumors and Other Pancreas Masses. Pancreas. 2019 01; 48(1):66-69. Gupta N, Kankotia R, Sahakian A, Jayaram P, Shindel A, Dong E, Korc P, Eloubeidi M, Buxbaum J. PMID: 30451795.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    15. Balloon overtube-assisted cholangioscopy and laser lithotripsy of large bile duct stones. VideoGIE. 2018 Jul; 3(7):217-219. Cho J, Buxbaum J, Sahakian AB. PMID: 30128394; PMCID: PMC6098815.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1  
    16. Endoscopic submucosal dissection for resection of submucosal tumors of the colon and rectum: Within reach, or the edge of tomorrow? Gastrointest Endosc. 2018 02; 87(2):549-551. Sahakian AB, Aslanian HR. PMID: 29406933.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    17. Endoscopic Closure of Gastrointestinal Fistulae and Leaks. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2018 Apr; 28(2):233-249. Cho J, Sahakian AB. PMID: 29519335.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 10     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    18. Randomized trial of cholangioscopy-guided laser lithotripsy versus conventional therapy for large bile duct stones (with videos). Gastrointest Endosc. 2018 Apr; 87(4):1050-1060. Buxbaum J, Sahakian A, Ko C, Jayaram P, Lane C, Yu CY, Kankotia R, Laine L. PMID: 28866457.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 28     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    19. Metallic coil and N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate for closure of pancreatic duct leak (with video). Gastrointest Endosc. 2018 Apr; 87(4):1122-1125. Sahakian AB, Jayaram P, Marx MV, Matsushima K, Park C, Buxbaum JL. PMID: 28843585.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    20. Optimal Timing of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Acute Cholangitis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2017 Jul; 51(6):534-538. Hou LA, Laine L, Motamedi N, Sahakian A, Lane C, Buxbaum J. PMID: 27875357.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    21. Narrow-band imaging versus white light versus mapping biopsy for gastric intestinal metaplasia: a prospective blinded trial. Gastrointest Endosc. 2017 Nov; 86(5):857-865. Buxbaum JL, Hormozdi D, Dinis-Ribeiro M, Lane C, Dias-Silva D, Sahakian A, Jayaram P, Pimentel-Nunes P, Shue D, Pepper M, Cho D, Laine L. PMID: 28366441.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 36     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    22. Randomized Trial of Endoscopist-Controlled vs. Assistant-Controlled Wire-Guided Cannulation of the Bile Duct. Am J Gastroenterol. 2016 Dec; 111(12):1841-1847. Buxbaum J, Leonor P, Tung J, Lane C, Sahakian A, Laine L. PMID: 27377519.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 16     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    23. Can a Computerized Simulator Assess Skill Level and Improvement in Performance of ERCP? Dig Dis Sci. 2016 Mar; 61(3):722-30. Sahakian AB, Laine L, Jamidar PA, Siddiqui UD, Duffy A, Ciarleglio MM, Deng Y, Nagar A, Aslanian HR. PMID: 26572779.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 6     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    24. Cold snare polypectomy for large sessile colonic polyps: a single-center experience. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2015; 2015:175959. Muniraj T, Sahakian A, Ciarleglio MM, Deng Y, Aslanian HR. PMID: 25878658; PMCID: PMC4387686.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 16  
    25. Prevention and management of post-ERCP pancreatitis. JOP. 2014 Nov 28; 15(6):544-51. Sahakian AB, Buxbaum JL, Van Dam J. PMID: 25435569.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    
    26. The utility of esophagogastroduodenoscopy before endoscopic ultrasonography in patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasonography for pancreatico-biliary and mediastinal indications. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2013 Nov-Dec; 47(10):857-60. Sahakian AB, Aslanian HR, Mehra M, Rossi F, Laine L, Sanchez M, Ciarleglio MM, Adimoolam V, Siddiqui UD. PMID: 23632349.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    27. Endoscopic biopsy and predictors of malignancy in ampullary adenomas: once bitten, twice shy? J Clin Gastroenterol. 2013 Apr; 47(4):296-7. Sahakian AB, Jamidar PA. PMID: 23426448.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    28. Necrotizing pancreatitis complicated by fistula and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2011 Jul; 9(7):e66-7. Sahakian AB, Krishnamoorthy S, Taddei TH. PMID: 21296188.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    29. Methane and the gastrointestinal tract. Dig Dis Sci. 2010 Aug; 55(8):2135-43. Sahakian AB, Jee SR, Pimentel M. PMID: 19830557.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 80     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    30. Evaluating breath methane as a diagnostic test for constipation-predominant IBS. Dig Dis Sci. 2010 Feb; 55(2):398-403. Hwang L, Low K, Khoshini R, Melmed G, Sahakian A, Makhani M, Pokkunuri V, Pimentel M. PMID: 19294509.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 39     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    31. New clinical method for distinguishing D-IBS from other gastrointestinal conditions causing diarrhea: the LA/IBS diagnostic strategy. Dig Dis Sci. 2010 Jan; 55(1):145-9. Pimentel M, Hwang L, Melmed GY, Low K, Vasiliauskas E, Ippoliti A, Yang J, Lezcano S, Conklin JL, Sahakian A. PMID: 19169820.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 14     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    32. Humor and the cardiovascular system. Altern Ther Health Med. 2007 Jul-Aug; 13(4):56-8. Sahakian A, Frishman WH. PMID: 17658123.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans