Duke University
Adult Cardiac
Member Since: 2009
Biography:
Edward P. Chen, MD is Professor of Surgery at Duke University. He is a graduate of Stanford University, Duke Medical School, University of California San Francisco General Surgery, Emory Cardiothoracic Residency and the UT Houston Aortic Surgery Fellowship. He is internationally visible for his clinical expertise in reoperative thoracic aortic procedures, high-risk and complex adult cardiac surgery.
He has published over 250 peer-review articles and his research has focused cerebral protection for aortic arch reconstruction, aortic root operations, aortic dissection and valve-sparing aortic root replacement. He has been a PI and co-PI on numerous clinical trials focused on thoracic aortic surgery and structural heart disease. He has won awards for both his research and commitment to teaching including the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association (TSRA) Socrates Award in 2019, European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS) at Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Research Award 4 times in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021 American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) Aortic Symposium 2018 Griepp Research Award and Outstanding Teacher in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Emory in 2007, 2009 and 2010.
Dr. Chen has held several leadership positions in the AATS including the Education Committee, Publications Committee, Cardiothoracic Residents Committee, Annual Meeting Didactic Committee, Chair of the Adult Cardiac Skills Course, Ethics Committee, Chair of the AATS Foundation Travel Award Committee, Advisory Council on Education, Aortic Symposium Program Committee, AATS Cardiac Clinical Practice Writing Group of Acute Aortic Type A Dissection, Adult Cardiac Education Committee, Foundation Advisory Council and Co-Chair of the IT Committee. He is also on the AHA/ACC Aortic Guidelines Writing Committee, AHA/ACC Valvular Heart Disease Performance Measures Writing Committee and EACTS Aortic Disease Guideline Writing Committee.
What Does the AATS Mean to You:
The AATS represents the ultimate platform upon which to not only pursue excellence in the tripartite academic mission, but also contribute in very meaningful ways towards mentorship and leadership towards the overall advance of CT surgery as a whole.
My First Experience with AATS:
I first attended the Annual Meeting in 1997 when I had an abstract accepted for oral presentation. I remember being impressed with the energy of the meeting and the leadership of the Association all of whom were highly respected surgeons.
The scientific program was robust in both its clinical content and scientific discovery.
Why I became an AATS member:
One of my goals as a resident trainee was to eventually become an AATS member. In my mind, being a member of the AATS meant one had achieved a high level of accomplishments in academic surgery. It was quite a privilege and honor to have been accepted as a new member in 2009.
The most impactful presentation I have seen at an AATS meeting:
Dr. David's presentations on long-term outcomes of valve-sparing operations.
The first presentation I gave is:
My first presentation was given at the 1997 Annual Meeting entitled "Extracellular superoxide dismutase transgene overexpression significantly improves preservation of myocardial function following ischemia and reperfusion injury."
The first paper I had published is:
My first JTCVS paper was the manuscript associated with my presentation in 1997.
I plan on becoming more involved in the organization through:
I would like to continue robust engagement in the various committees and initiatives of the Association.
A Significant Case/Patient Interaction that Impacted My Career:
I remember operating on a young woman who had just delivered her second child and suffered a type A dissection. She arrested on the table during induction and we quickly opened her chest and performed her repair. She survived and remains alive and well today, 18 years later. When you think about the fact that if she had died, her daughter would have grown up without a mom, it is actually mind-boggling. This particular case made me realize that any positive or negative outcome in our field affects not only the patient, but an entire village of people. I have never forgotten that when dealing with patients and their families."
My career in CT Surgery was inspired by:
I was fascinated by the circulatory system which stuck with me throughout my education and training.
A significant case/patient interaction that impacted my career is:
I remember operating on a young woman who had just delivered her 2nd child and suffered a type A dissection. She arrested on the table during induction and we quickly opened her chest and performed her repair. She survived and remains alive and well today, 18 years later. When you think about the fact that if she had died, her daughter would have grown up without a mom, it is actually mind-boggling. This particular case made me realize that any positive or negative outcome in our field affects not only the patient, but an entire village of people. I have never forgetten that when dealing with patients and their families.
The biggest impact my mentor had on my career is:
The biggest impact was to be kind and treat people well.
The topic most important to advancing the field of CT Surgery is:
Embracing innovation, change and diverse thought are critical to survival of our field.
The most pressing issues impacting CT surgery are:
Outside of the obvious financial constraints seen across healthcare in the post-COVID era, I would say that well-being and mental health have long been ignored in our speciality and will be extremely important issues to address in order to continue to attract the brightest and most talented people to CT surgery.
Advice for Trainees:
Be patient, stay humble and always treat patients as you would want your family to be treated.