Dr. Vivek Rao

Dr. Vivek Rao, MD, PhD, FRCPSDr. Rao’s surgical specialities include: heart failure surgery, aneurysms of the heart, mechanical support of the heart and heart transplants.

Dr. Rao completed his medical and surgical training at the University of Toronto before completing a fellowship in cardiac transplantation and mechanical circulatory support at New York’s Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital.

Dr. Rao’s clinical interest is in the surgical treatment of end-stage heart disease. His research lab is currently investigating novel techniques of myocardial protection for cardiac transplantation and new therapeutic strategies to prevent transplant coronary artery disease.

Dr. Rao contributed to the establishment of Canada’s first HeartMate artificial heart program at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre in the fall of 2001. The VAD program at PMCC is now the largest and most diverse clinical program in the country offering multiple leading edge technologies specifically suited to individual patient needs.

Dr. Rao has won numerous awards during his surgical training and is the author or co-author on over 150 original publications on various topics in cardiac surgery. In 2007, he was awarded the Top 40 Under 40 distinction recognizing his dedication to finding answers to heart failure and making a significant difference to Canadians.