Mark D. Peterson, MD, PhD

I became a cardiac surgeon because the specialty allows me to restore patient function through methodical execution of a detailed surgical plan. My work is incredibly gratifying: procedures I perform are reconstructive and allow patients to return to a full, active life. After I repair an aortic valve, a patient’s breathing gets easier, or chest pain goes away.

My expertise is in aortic surgery, the branch of cardiac surgery that treats aortic diseases, including aortic aneurysms. An aneurysm is a life-threatening bulge of the aorta, the main vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. An aneurysm increases the risk of aortic rupture and aortic dissection or tear.

Procedures to treat an aneurysm include open surgery, catheter-based approaches to place stents or grafts, or a combination of both. These procedures may take place in the aortic root, the portion of the vessel closest to the heart and the aortic valve; the ascending aorta and aortic arch, the part of the vessel that curves up and away from the heart; or the thoracoabdominal aorta, which is the section of the vessel that runs from the arch, along the spine into the abdomen.

I perform a full range of aortic procedures and specialize in preserving the patient’s own aortic valve using an array of repair techniques. It is critically important to preserve the aortic valve whenever possible, rather than replacing it with an artificial valve. This is true whether I am treating aortic root aneurysms or managing aortic valve regurgitation, also known as a leaky valve.

When aortic valve repair is not feasible, I offer the Ross procedure in non-elderly adults. I am an early adopter of this specialized surgery, whereby the patient’s own pulmonary valve is transplanted to function as the new aortic valve. Aortic valve repair and the Ross procedure ensure excellent long-term survival compared to using an artificial heart valve. I also perform transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for older and higher-risk patients.

In addition to aortic surgery, I perform a wide array of cardiac procedures, including mitral and tricuspid valve repair and replacement with conventional surgical techniques and transcatheter valve technology.

As system director of aortic surgery at NYU Langone, I take a team-based, patient-centered approach to care. My colleagues and I educate patients about their heart condition, address their concerns surrounding surgery, and refer them and their family for genetic assessments and social work support. We also create follow-up care plans that incorporate exercise, nutrition, and other needs. Our goal is to ensure patients are comfortable, prepared, and confident while receiving treatment for their condition.