MHVI-Cardiac-Heart-Surgery

Our team treats patients in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area with compassion and expertise.

Our cardiac surgery program through MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute is home to some of the best heart surgeons and structural heart specialists in the mid-Atlantic region. Here, you’ll find a full team of dedicated experts focused on you.

We have one of the highest volume cardiac surgery centers in the country. This translates into extensive experience in techniques that treat all types of heart conditions. So, you can rest assured we understand your unique diagnosis and are able to bring you the least invasive surgical option that also offers the best long-term results.

Cardiac surgeries are performed at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, MD, and at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.

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Conditions treated with cardiac surgery

Aortic disease
The aorta is a long vessel that supplies blood to almost all the major organs in the body through the smaller arteries that branch out from it. Conditions we treat include:

Aortic aneurysm, a bulge in the wall of the aorta

Aortic dissection, a tear in the lining of the aorta

Aortic ulcers

Coarctation, a narrowing of the aorta

Marfan syndrome
Coronary artery disease

The most common type of heart disease in the United States, coronary artery disease is often caused by atherosclerosis, a condition in which the arteries become narrow because of the buildup of plaque. A complete blockage can result in a heart attack or stroke.
Heart valve disease
Heart valve disease occurs when at least one of your heart’s valves doesn’t open or close properly, disrupting blood flow. Heart valve disease can be caused by the narrowing of the valve (stenosis) or a leak in the valve which causes the blood to flow backward (regurgitation). The four main types of the disease are:

Aortic valve disease

Mitral valve disease

Pulmonary valve disease

Tricuspid valve disease
Heart failure
Heart failure occurs when your heart can’t pump enough blood for your body. Although it is a lifelong condition, treatment for heart failure can manage the symptoms and may allow your heart to gain strength. There are three main types of heart failure:

Congestive heart failure, in which blood backs up and causes congestion in the body’s tissues. This most often results in swelling in the legs, but it also can interfere with lung and kidney function.

Left-sided heart failure, in which the heart does not have enough force to pump blood to the rest of the body.

Right-sided heart failure, in which the heart can’t effectively accept blood from the body and deliver it to the lungs.
Arrhythmia (heart rhythm disorders)

An arrhythmia is an abnormal or irregular heartbeat caused by a disturbance in the electrical impulses that coordinate your heart rate. This can cause your heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. When the heart doesn’t beat properly, it can’t effectively pump blood to your body.

An arrhythmia is an abnormal or irregular heartbeat caused by a disturbance in the electrical impulses that coordinate your heart rate. This can cause your heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. When the heart doesn’t beat properly, it can’t effectively pump blood to your body.
Congenital heart defects

Congenital heart diseases are the most common type of birth defect, affecting eight out of every 1,000 newborns. One in 50 adults has a congenital heart defect. Congenital heart diseases can affect the walls of the heart, the valves inside the heart, and the arteries and veins that carry blood to the heart or body. Many congenital heart defects are diagnosed before or shortly after birth, but some may not cause symptoms for years.

Cardiac procedures available at MedStar Health

Aortic surgery
Aortic surgery describes a number of procedures to treat conditions that affect the aorta. The aorta is the body’s largest blood vessel, and it carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart as it’s pumped to the rest of your body. Conditions that affect the aorta can be very serious and even life-threatening without expert surgical care.

Our Complex Aortic Center brings together heart surgeons and vascular surgeons to work as a team on the challenging conditions that affect the aorta, such as aortic aneurysms and aortic dissection. We’re able to perform complex surgeries that other centers can’t, including minimally invasive options. And because of our participation in clinical trials and research, our patients often have access to treatment options before they’re available in other locations.

Some of the many aortic surgical procedures our doctors offer include:

Abdominal aortic aneurysm treatments

Aortic dissection treatment

Aortic root surgery

Fenestrated aortic aneurysm repair

Ascending aorta

Aortic arch

Descending thoracic aorta

Thoracoabdominal aorta

Infrarenal aorta
Complex coronary artery bypass graft

Your doctor may recommend this surgery if narrowing or blockages in one or more of your coronary arteries (coronary artery disease) reduce the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart. This surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG, pronounced “cabbage”), restores normal blood flow by using a healthy blood vessel taken from your leg, arm, or chest to create a detour around the problem area. It’s not uncommon to bypass two, three, or more coronary arteries during surgery. You may have heard this called double or triple bypass. This surgery is one of the most common heart surgeries our cardiac surgeons perform.

We perform nearly half of these procedures as off-pump bypass surgery, also known as beating-heart bypass. With this method, we use special tools to stabilize a portion of the heart to allow it to keep beating while we bypass the blocked artery. Traditionally, it is performed with the assistance of a cardiopulmonary bypass machine, which temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs. This is known as on-pump surgery. Patients who have off-pump bypass surgery recover faster and have reduced risk for complications such as stroke, the need for blood transfusions, and kidney and lung problems.
Heart valve surgery
Heart valve surgery encompasses a group of procedures to treat heart valve disease. Along with traditional open surgical techniques to repair or replace the mitral valve, tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve, and aortic valve, we offer minimally invasive replacement methods.

Our heart surgeons collaborate with the structural heart interventional cardiologists to discuss and analyze all patients’ conditions based on the severity of their disease, age, and overall health to determine the best treatment approach for their unique condition.

Minimally invasive treatment options

Transcatheter valve and congenital heart defect procedures
Our structural heart interventional cardiologists perform valve replacements by inserting a catheter through a small incision (most commonly in the leg), threading the device through the vessel to the heart, and then implanting a new valve within the diseased valve. These procedures include:

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR)

MitraClip™

TriClip™ Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair

Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve

Congenital Heart Defects – PFO, ASD, and VSD occluders

Robotic surgery
MedStar Washington Hospital Center is one of the few sites in the mid-Atlantic region to offer robotic cardiac surgery. This minimally invasive approach combines the agility of robotic instruments with a high-definition 3D camera, allowing surgeons to perform heart procedures through tiny incisions. Watch our video to learn more now.
Heart failure surgery

We offer the latest surgical options for late-stage heart failure where the heart is no longer able to pump enough blood to support the body’s vital organs.

Heart transplant

Heart transplantation allows us to replace your failing heart with a healthier heart from a donor. Your doctor may recommend a heart transplant if other heart failure treatments have been unsuccessful. We perform a thorough medical and psychosocial evaluation, including blood tests and imaging studies, to make sure you will benefit from a heart transplant. You will meet with several members of the heart transplant team, including the coordinator, surgeons, cardiologists, social workers, and financial counselors.

If heart transplantation is a good option for you, we’ll place your name on the national waiting list for a suitable donor heart. The wait time to receive a heart can be lengthy, and you may be admitted to the hospital while you wait for a heart. Our team of coordinators will work with you and your family to prepare and support you through the transplantation process and recovery.

Mechanical circulatory support

If your heart is failing or you have recently undergone heart surgery, your heart may need time to rest or recover. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, pumps your blood through a machine so your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. We also may recommend ECMO to prepare your heart for an assist device, such as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

People with end-stage heart failure may need mechanical assistance for the heart to do its job. In 1988, we became one of the first centers in the world to implant a ventricular assist device. Our expert surgeons can implant a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) that helps circulate the blood with a small pump. The surgeon will attach the LVAD to your heart’s bottom left chamber and this pump will continuously move oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle into the aorta, which delivers blood to the rest of your organs. The pump will be connected to an external controller with a wire under your skin. The controller will alert you when the batteries need to be changed or if your device requires maintenance. You can wear the controller in a pack around your waist.

Our team includes experienced LVAD coordinators, along with dedicated pharmacists, physical therapists, nutritionists, and other advanced heart failure specialists.
Heart rhythm surgery

We were the first—and remain the most experienced—health system in the region to offer Hybrid AF™ Convergent Therapy for treatment of longstanding, persistent atrial fibrillation (AFib). A new FDA label expands this approach to first-line therapy for patients who otherwise face uncertain futures dealing with AFib. Our electrophysiologists and cardiac surgeons work together to perform this complex procedure. A cardiac surgeon will make a small incision in the chest and place a scope beneath the breastbone, allowing the team to see the heart during the procedure. The electrophysiologist will insert an ablation device to send a mild, painless burst of heat or cold to create a pattern of scar tissue on the epicardium, the protective outer layer of the heart. Once the epicardial ablation is completed, the incision will be closed. The electrophysiologist will then perform a traditional catheter ablation, in which they will thread an ablation catheter through a blood vessel in the arm or groin to the heart to scar the endocardium, or inside layer of the heart. You’ll likely need to stay in the hospital for two to three days after the procedure for recovery and monitoring.
Leading-edge breakthroughs & innovations

We’re dedicated to staying on the leading edge of care. We take part in multiple cardiac clinical trials. You may have the option to participate in pioneering procedures and emerging treatments not available anywhere else.

Robotic mitral valve repair patient story: Michael P.

MedStar Health patient Michael P. has mitral valve prolapse and mitral valve regurgitation. After researching robotic-assisted mitral valve repair and Dr. Kawano and his team, he wanted to have his mitral valve repaired robotically, and he was a good candidate for this surgery. Robotic-assisted surgery is far less invasive than the conventional sternotomy approach. Robotic surgery is associated with reduced complications, shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery and minimal incisions. He is now back to his normal activities and feeling great.

Meet our heart surgeons

Through a dedicated multidisciplinary approach, our cardiac surgeons work collaboratively with a team of experts, including cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, critical care physicians, cardiac imaging specialists, nurses, and other clinicians.

Washington, D.C., region

Ammar S. Bafi, MD

Ammar S. Bafi, MD

Ammar S. Bafi, MD, is a highly experienced cardiothoracic surgeon at the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

As a cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Bafi treats adult cardiac surgical disease, such as valvular heart disease and coronary artery disease, through the use of advanced surgical techniques. Dr. Bafi specializes in mitral and aortic valve repair as well as off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. He performs approximately 400 to 500 heart surgeries per year. Dr. Bafi has built a reputation of excellence throughout his time with MedStar. With more than 20 years as a dedicated principal attending cardiothoracic surgeon, he has performed more than 8,000 heart operations with superb results, exceeding the national average.

His clinical interests include the continuing development of best practices in mitral and aortic valve repair and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, in order to continue to grow and improve the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute at MedStar Washington. Dr. Bafi is currently a principal investigator and a co-investigator in multiple device clinical trials at the Heart & Vascular Institute. He is widely published in medical journals and is a member of the Cardiovascular Surgery Program Quality Improvement Committee at MedStar.

Dr. Bafi received his medical degree from the George Washington School of Medicine before completing a general surgery internship at the North Shore University Hospital/Cornell University Medical Center. He then returned to the George Washington University Medical Center to complete a six-year general surgery residency, which included one year of research. Finally, he completed a specialty three-year residency in cardiothoracic surgery, including one year at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Dr. Bafi is an advocate for increasing the treatment of valvular heart disease, and especially, for promoting excellence in mitral valve repairs. He works with a team of skilled interventional cardiologists that continue to bring novel treatments to the patients of MedStar. The team is currently interested in exploring the frontiers of hybrid procedures, more specifically, combining percutaneous methods with open surgical approaches in order to treat structural heart disease.

Philosophy of Care
"Growing up as a child of diplomats, I lived in different countries. As a part of this experience, I learned to appreciate and develop a wide perspective on people, religions and cultures. I believe this contributes to my ability to connect and empathize with my patients and colleagues.

"What drives me is knowing that every day I'm working to improve the quality of life for my patients. I enjoy my work because it requires the ability to solve complex problems. My training, in addition to the support of my colleagues, allows me the privilege and the honor of having a positive impact on my patient's health and their lives."

Keki Balsara, MD

Keki Balsara, MD

Keki R. Balsara, MD, MBA, FACS, FACC, is Surgical Director of Heart Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support at the MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute, the highest volume ventricular-assist device program in the Mid Atlantic, and Professor of Surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine.

Dr. Balsara joins us from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he served as Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief Quality and Safety Officer in the Department of Cardiac Surgery. Moreover, he was the Vice Chair of Network Surgical Strategy and Development for the Section of Surgical Sciences. He had an additional appointment at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. He was previously Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Surgical Director for the Cardiothoracic Surgery ICU at Washington University in St. Louis/Barnes Jewish Hospital.

As a board-certified cardiac surgeon and intensivist with nearly 10 years of experience in the field, Dr. Balsara sees patients across the entire spectrum of cardiac disease. This includes coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, aortic pathology, and complex re-operative surgery. He has a particular interest in end-stage heart failure, heart transplantation, and mechanical circulatory support. He brings with him a wealth of experience in expanding both the donor and recipient pools for transplantation, including the use of hepatitis-C and DCD-donors, as well as broad utilization of the TransMedics® OCS™ Heart System platform and normothermic regional perfusion.

Additional clinical interests include cardiac critical care and end-of-life care. Dr. Balsara has a particular interest in quality improvement and standardization of care to improve outcomes, reduce waste, and increase access to care. In particular, he is passionate about leveraging the scale of health systems to offer a variety of cutting-edge therapies to patients from varied geographic and economic backgrounds who have previously been denied access.

His research interests have focused on expanding ways to increase the number of organs available, including the use of the TransMedics® OCS™ Heart System, identifying DCD (donor after cardiac death) donors, and the use of normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) for DCD donor organs. More recently, his research has looked at maximizing hospital-wide efficiencies, focusing on cost-containment in the operating room, an interest that goes hand-in-hand with his MBA focus on management and strategy.

Dr. Balsara received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed an internship and residency in general surgery at the Duke University School of Medicine. In addition, he completed a post-doctoral research fellowship in end-stage heart and lung failure and a fellowship in surgical critical care at Duke. He did his cardiothoracic surgical training at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Dedicated to the advancement of the field of cardiothoracic surgery, Dr. Balsara is widely published and has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and multiple book chapters, and has been an invited lecturer, discussant, and/or moderator for numerous national and international meetings. He is also committed to teaching medical students and residents, cultivating the next generation of healthcare leaders.

He is a member of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, American College of Surgeons, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and American College of Healthcare Executives.

Dr. Balsara is an Ad Hoc reviewer for multiple publications, including Allergy – The European Journal of Allergy and Immunology, Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Journal of Heart Failure, Artificial Organ Research and Development ASAIO Journal.

Philosophy of Care
“All too often people think of surgeons as the doctors who just show up to the operating room when, in fact, I think performing surgery is but one of our tasks. Yes, I am a surgeon. But fundamentally, my job is to provide the appropriate guidance, counsel, and support to help my patients understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis so that, together, we can choose what’s best for them and their families.

“There’s no one size fits all approach to what we do. In order to make the best treatment recommendations, I take the time to get to know my patients, listen to their treatment goals, and answer all of their questions. My goal for each patient is to provide the best quality of life for the longest time possible. Ultimately, I’m guided and motivated to do what’s in each person’s best interest.

“I’m honest and straightforward with my patients. I owe them that. I have been on the receiving end of difficult healthcare conversations and, therefore, I firmly believe in honesty and transparency. The only way that my patients can make the best treatment decisions for themselves is to have a realistic idea of their situation, as terrifying as it may feel."

Jeffrey E. Cohen, MD

Jeffrey E. Cohen, MD

Dr. Cohen treats the complete range of adult cardiac diseases, including aortic stenosis and regurgitation, mitral regurgitation, mitral stenosis, tricuspid valve disease, endocarditis, coronary artery disease, and aortic aneurysms and dissections. He specializes in complex aortic surgery implementing both open and endovascular repair techniques. He also focuses on coronary artery bypass (CABG) along with minimally invasive aortic and mitral valve surgery including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Dr. Cohen’s research has focused on developing novel therapies to correct the lack of blood flow to the heart following traumatic events such as a heart attack (myocardial infarction). His groundbreaking research investigating the utilization of light to fuel the heart muscle through the process of photosynthesis was published in Science Advances in 2017.

Philosophy of Care
“I consider it a privilege to be granted the trust to operate on my patients. I believe in spending as much time with them as needed in order to inform them about their treatment, including pre-operative preparation, surgery, and post-operative care. I strive to offer patients the newest and most up-to-date therapies that will give them the best long-term results, most successful surgical outcomes, and shortest hospital stays. I offer them my recommendations for the best plan of care, recognizing that all key decisions must be made between myself, the patient, and the patient’s loved ones.”

Jonathan R. Gower, MD, FACS

Jonathan R. Gower, MD, FACS

Jonathan R. Gower, MD, FACS, is a highly experienced cardiothoracic surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He specializes in advanced heart failure, transplantation, and adult cardiac surgeries. His clinical interests include mechanical circulatory support, and advanced heart failure therapies.

Dr. Gower’s approach is based on open and transparent patient communication and education. He prepares patients for their procedures by thoroughly discussing potential risks and outcomes, ensuring they understand what to expect and can make informed decisions. He performs the entire gamut of adult cardiac surgeries, including heart transplants, valve replacements, and coronary artery bypasses.

Despite working long hours in a demanding field, Dr. Gower is a dedicated husband and father who loves spending time with his wife and two children.

“I always tell my resident and students that a good surgeon needs to be affable, available, and able. My goal is to provide excellent care by having a calm and reassuring bedside manner, taking the time to communicate directly and openly with my patients and their loved ones, and exploring the best treatment options for patients, whether it is surgery, medication, or another therapy.”

Yuji Kawano, MD

Yuji Kawano, MD

Yuji Kawano, MD, is a cardiac surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center with a unique specialization in minimally invasive and robotic heart surgery.

Dr. Kawano comes to MedStar Health from his advanced fellowship program at Emory University, where he received the full spectrum of training in robotic cardiac surgery under some of the first, and most experienced, robotic cardiac surgeons, worldwide.

A highly specialized approach, robotic heart surgery can provide patients with enhanced recovery, shorter hospital stays, and fewer complications compared to conventional methods. Robotics may be applied to treat mitral and tricuspid valve conditions, atrial fibrillation, and cardiac tumors, for low-risk surgical patients as well as high-risk patients with complex comorbidities.

Philosophy of Care
“Robotic surgery is an excellent option for a patient seeking better cosmesis, quicker recovery, and less post-surgical pain, without compromising the clinical result of surgery itself. I work closely with my colleagues to fully evaluate the benefits and potential risks for each case. My patients can always count on me to be honest with them –– to explain their situation and to help them understand their treatment options. My first priority is always the patient’s safety.”

Thomas MacGillivray, MD

Thomas MacGillivray, MD

Thomas MacGillivray, MD, is Physician Executive Director of Cardiac Surgery at MedStar Health and Chairman of Cardiac Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Prior to joining MedStar Health, Dr. MacGillivray served as the Jimmy F. Howell, MD, Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Surgery, Chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery and Thoracic Transplant Surgery, and Associate Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Houston Methodist Hospital.

As a board-certified surgeon and thoracic surgeon with more than 30 years of experience in the field, Dr. MacGillivray is highly-skilled in both traditional open and minimally-invasive methods. While he performs conventional coronary artery bypass operations, valve repairs, and valve replacements, Dr. MacGillivray’s expertise stretches into more specialized procedures, including thoracic aortic repair and replacement, maze procedures, septal myectomies, and cardiac tumor procedures. He also has extensive experience in treating adult congenital heart disease.

Dr. MacGillivray is passionate about performing surgery — his dedication to clinical outcomes and seeing his patients through the entire care journey is evident in his love of caring for patients in the ICU and in the nursing units.

Dr. MacGillivray’s clinical interests include diseases of the aorta, including the aortic root, aortic arch, and thoracoabdominal aorta. He is a nationally recognized leader in the surgical treatment of patients with adult congenital heart disease, heart failure, and pulmonary embolism.

In addition to direct patient care, he also has a specific interest in quality improvement processes in cardiac disease, which involves database and outcome research. Dr. MacGillivray has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on aortic diseases, adult congenital heart disease, mechanical circulatory support, and cardiac tumors.

Dr. MacGillivray earned his medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine before completing a general surgery internship and residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. He completed a two-year research fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco before returning to Massachusetts General Hospital for a specialty fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. MacGillivray did additional training in congenital heart surgery as the Chief Resident at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Before joining MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute, Dr. MacGillivray spent 19 years as a practicing cardiothoracic surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital and Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, followed by five and a half years at Houston Methodist Hospital as the Jimmy F. Howell, M.D. Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Surgery.

Dedicated to the advancement of the field of cardiothoracic surgery, Dr. MacGillivray is the First Vice President of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. He is former President of the Northeast Cardiothoracic Surgery Society, is currently a member of the Thoracic Surgery Foundation Board of Directors, and holds a seat on the Editorial Board of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery. He has been involved in writing a number of clinical practice guidelines. He was the Writing Committee Chairman for the STS/AATS Clinical Practice Guidelines on Type B Aortic Dissection, and served on the writing group for the American Heart Association guidelines for the surgical treatment for pulmonary embolism. Some of his many acknowledgments have included multiple Partners in Excellence Team Awards by Massachusetts General Hospital and recognitions by Marquis Who’s Who In America and Best Doctors.

Dr. MacGillivray is excited to offer his expertise in various cardiac surgical subspecialties (complex aortic surgery) to the adept team at MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute and is honored to get to work in this nationally recognized heart program.

Philosophy of Care
“I consider it a privilege to take care of my patients–a privilege that, to me, implies a sacred trust. I care for every patient as if they were a member of my own family, and I try to do for them what I would want someone to do for my wife, my daughter, my brother, or my sister. There is no problem too big and no problem too small for my attention and my care.

“The practice of medicine now is a team sport. The beauty of MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute is that there is an incredible team of talented physicians and caregivers working together providing exceptional care. As with any team, one of the most important responsibilities is communication. When I work with referring physicians, my communication with them is vital for the patient’s success, since patients will return to their referring physicians after their heart surgery.

“While you can't always cure every disease or make every diagnosis, you can always be kind to every patient. Oftentimes, that is the medicine that helps the most; listening to them, understanding them, and being willing to help them. Throughout all my years of practice, I have found this to be absolutely true.”

Christian Charles Shults, MD

Christian Charles Shults, MD

Christian Shults, MD, is a cardiac surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He is the regional director of cardiac aortic surgery, surgical ablation, and innovation, as well as the fellowship director for the complex aortic structural heart program. He is also an assistant professor of surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. Shults is board certified in general and thoracic surgery.

Dr. Shults specializes in the treatment of complex aortic disease, structural heart disease, valvular disease and redo valves, coronary artery disease, and atrial fibrillation through the use of open, endovascular, minimally invasive, and transcatheter treatment therapies. In particular, he treats patients with aneurysms of the aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending thoracic aorta, and thoracoabdominal aorta, in addition to anomalous coronaries, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, endocarditis.

As a national proctor for the Convergent Procedure for minimally invasive treatment of atrial fibrillation, Dr. Shults has performed one of the highest volumes in the country and gives lectures nationwide to other physicians about the procedure.

Dr. Shults is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery, and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Shults recently served as interim chair of Cardiac Surgery between 2019 and 2021.

After receiving his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine, Dr. Shults completed a residency in general surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital-Washington Hospital Center. During this time, he spent a year at Harvard Medical School for a research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he focused on developing novel strategies to treat patients in hemorrhagic shock. He then returned to MedStar Washington Hospital Center as chief resident of general surgery. After this, Dr. Shults continued his specialty training in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Emory University, where he completed a three-year specialized fellowship focusing on revascularization, complex aortic disease, valvular and transcatheter valvular therapies, as well as all other aspects of cardiac surgery. Next, he traveled to Leipzig, Germany for a visiting fellowship in minimally invasive/transcatheter aortic valve repair at the University of Leipzig Heart Hospital. He returned to the U.S. for an aortic surgery mini-fellowship at the University of Texas-Houston Memorial Hermann Hospital and an endovascular mini-fellowship at the Arizona Heart Hospital Department of Heart & Vascular Surgery.

Dr. Shults takes interest in healthcare reform, healthcare economics, and innovations for minimally invasive or transcatheter therapies. His research efforts include treatment outcomes for complex aortic disease, valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease. Dr. Shults is currently enrolling patients in several unique clinical trials, including the use of GORE® TAG® TBE, thoracic endoprosthesis in the treatment of lesions of the aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta; GORE® TAMBE, thoracoabdominal branch endoprosthesis for the treatment of thoracoabdominal and pararenal aortic aneurysms; NeoChord artificial chordae delivery system, a mitral valve repair technique for patients with severe mitral regurgitation; a new stent for the endovascular treatment of arch aneurysms; Allergan/Botox® study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Botox for the treatment of atrial fibrillation; as well as several trials involving the latest in transcatheter valve technology. Additionally, he is principal investigator for the Bolton Medical acute complicated type B thoracic aortic dissection clinical trial.

Philosophy of Care
“My goal is to deliver the best solution possible to my patients, incorporating all of the innovation and technology available, while minimizing the impact on the body, such as recovery time and time away from work and daily activities. I take my role in the health of my patients very seriously. I’ve seen firsthand the impact that heart disease can have on a family: the downside of untreated heart disease and the downside of heart disease treatment complications. I’m intent on addressing and preventing complications from happening while also providing solutions. Each patient and their family are the center of a world that gets my full attention. An important aspect of treatment is explaining the disease process and providing an educational foundation to my patients so that they fully understand the significance of the disease and why it’s important to treat.”
Baltimore region

Brian Bethea, MD

Brian Bethea, MD

Brian Bethea, MD is the Chief of Cardiac Surgery at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital and the regional chief of outreach for the Baltimore region. He is board certified in thoracic surgery.

Dr. Bethea’s clinical interests involve minimally invasive approaches to valvular and structural heart disease. This includes procedures such as TAVR, transcatheter mitral valve repair and replacement, transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement, and multi-arterial coronary revascularization.

Dr. Bethea is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

After earning his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Bethea completed his residency in general surgery, followed by a fellowship in cardiac surgery, at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Dr. Bethea has participated in nearly all major U.S. clinical trials for TAVR and has been involved in early feasibility trials for transcatheter mitral valve repair and replacement. Due to his reputation, excellent outcomes, and high surgical volumes, he was selected to participate in past trials for the mitral and tricuspid valves, including Tendyne™, MitraClip™, ENCIRCLE, and TRILUMINATE. He is the only surgeon in Maryland to offer patient the latter two options.

He is a physician educator and proctor, traveling throughout the world to teach valve repair and replacement techniques to other surgeons. He serves as selection chair for the Tendyne trial, overseeing all patient selection for the entire trial.

Dr. Bethea has presented his work internationally and is widely published in all the major cardiothoracic medical journals. He was among the first authors to be published on the topic of transcatheter mitral valve replacement–a rapidly evolving and expanding field.

Philosophy of Care
“I aim to provide personalized, tailored care to each of my patients. Whether it’s a minimally invasive procedure, an open procedure, or a hybrid approach, I find the method that will best fit the person, rather than the other way around. Since I have been involved in the development of so many new technologies, I can provide patients with all their options, so we can make an informed decision together. I wholeheartedly believe in a team approach to providing care, and view patients, their families, and their referring physicians as integral members of the care team.”

John Conte, MD

John Conte, MD

John Conte, MD, is a highly experienced and accomplished cardiovascular surgeon at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital with over 30 years of experience. He is known for his expertise in treating aortic, coronary artery, and heart valve disease, often performing complex and re-operative surgeries.

Dr. Conte founded the Maryland Cardiac Surgery Quality Initiative (MCSQI), which brings surgeons together to share, review, and analyze data to improve patient outcomes and lower patient surgery costs.

“Once I take on a patient, I do everything possible to ensure they have the best shot possible to heal and recover. I want my patients to know that I am experienced, and more importantly, I will do what is best for them, no matter what.”

Rachel Harrison, MD

Rachel Harrison, MD

Rachel Harrison, MD, is a cardiac surgeon at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital. She is board certified in general and thoracic surgery.

Dr. Harrison treats ischemic cardiac disease, structural heart conditions, valvular disease, and rhythm disorders, often through minimally invasive approaches. She is particularly interested in surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation and often collaborates with cardiac electrophysiologists for hybrid convergent techniques. She is uniquely skilled in complex lead extraction and management, related to pacemakers and defibrillators, which may be necessary due to infections, device recalls, and other complications.

As a result of Dr. Harrison’s advanced surgical training, she offers her patients high levels of confidence in her technical expertise. She’s also had significant experience caring for very sick patients––prior to joining MedStar Health, she managed advanced heart failure, providing mechanical support, such as LVADs, and heart transplantation. She has served as an educator in the fields of lead management and heart failure, sharing her knowledge with other clinicians.

Philosophy of Care
“Every patient of mine is number one––in the clinic and in the operating room. I ensure the whole care team is united in our goals for surgery, always prioritizing what’s best for the patient. I treat each person as if they were a member of my own family and help guide them through decisions with a measured approach. I am conservative when recommending surgery and will only do so if it is truly in the best interest of the patient.”

Meet our structural heart interventional cardiologists

Learn more about the MedStar Health Structural Heart program and get to know our structural heart interventional cardiologists here.

To request an appointment, call,

888-352-3147

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Frequently asked questions about heart surgery

What insurance do you accept?

MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. Check with your provider to confirm your individual coverage.
What can I expect the day of surgery?

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your heart operation. Following your procedure, your surgical team will go over any dietary restrictions, if necessary.
How long is surgical recovery?

Recovery time is dependent on your specific surgery. It takes about six weeks to recover from most surgeries.
When do my follow up appointments start following surgery?

Your first follow-up appointment will be scheduled before you leave the hospital. Your cardiac surgeon will send a report about your surgery and hospital stay to your cardiologist. Once you return home, it is important that you contact your cardiologist promptly to schedule an appointment, usually six to eight weeks after your surgery, so he or she can determine how well your healing is progressing. At this appointment, your doctor will give you instructions on any changes to your medications and let you know when you can return to work and begin driving again. They will also schedule regular follow-up visits with you.
Will I need to consider any lifestyle changes before or after surgery?

It is especially important to manage your cardiovascular risk factors after heart surgery, such as lowering high cholesterol, lowering high blood pressure, increasing physical activity, quiting smoking, and maintaining a healthy diet. Your physician can provide a risk factor evaluation and schedule follow-up visits to help reduce the progression of heart disease and the risk of future cardiac events.

Facebook Live: Heart Valve Disease Day 2024

In case you missed our Facebook Live on heart valve disease, watch this important conversation below with cardiac surgeon Dr. Rachel Harrison and interventional cardiologists Dr. Ron Waksman and Dr. John Wang.

MedStar Health Cardiac Surgery Hospital locations

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We’re proud to be recognized by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the gold standard of cardiothoracic surgery clinical outcomes registries, for achieving nationally recognized quality performance measures. Both MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Union Memorial Hospital have received the top rating available (3 stars).

2024-2025 US News and World Report Best Hospitals Award Badge

We are honored to be named a top hospital for Cardiology, Heart and Vascular Surgery by U.S. News and World report. This distinction was awarded to MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

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Robotic mitral valve repair patient story: Michael P.

Meet our heart surgeons

"Dr. Shults saved my father's life after another doctor refused to operate on him because of the extreme risk involved. Dr. Shults is a rockstar in my eyes!"

- Stacey S.

Meet our structural heart interventional cardiologists

To request an appointment, call,

or click now.

Frequently asked questions about heart surgery

Facebook Live: Heart Valve Disease Day 2024

MedStar Health Cardiac Surgery Hospital locations

MedStar Union Memorial Hospital

MedStar Washington Hospital Center

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