HartmuthBrunoBittnerMDPhD, FACS

Summary

• I am a well-trained and very experienced senior cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon, passionate in my care and the advocate of my patients.
  Duke trained I was able to continuously develop my two strong interests of minimally invasive cardiac surgery and thoracic transplantation. I particularly enjoy being part of a team which is engaged in on/off pump coronary revascularization, combined CABG/AVR/MVR procedures, aortic and heart failure surgery, and minimally invasive mitral valve repairs utilizing the “respect don’t resect” approach. I am enjoying the Heart Team TAVR approach, and I am allowed to look back on more than 10 years of TAVR procedures. All my experiences so far have been highly rewarding and my outcomes are excellent throughout. My isolated CABG STS risk and mortality analysis of 152 cases/2.5 years revealed an average Mortality risk of 3.49% (range: 0.27% - 42.12%, STDEV 0.054%) and Mortality-Morbidity risk of 24.85% (range: 4.99% - 84.70%, STDEV 0.175%). There is no 30-d or in-hospital mortality observed in isolated first-time coronary revascularization for more than 12 years.
  My weaknesses are related to general thoracic surgery and specifically esophagus procedures, which I have not anymore performed since my residency. For the last 5 years I have not done formal lung resections, however I am comfortable with VATS and urgent/emergent thoracic surgeries including challenging and difficult empyema/decortication procedures.
  I am in search of a new opportunity that allows advanced cardiac surgery to thrive and teamwork within and across disciplines to function. I believe I could contribute significantly to both, broad visions or a more defined mission given my extensive clinical, academic, and entrepreneurial successes. To provide excellence in cardiothoracic surgery has been my lifelong quest and commitment.
  
  Respectfully, HB Bittner, MD, PhD, FACS