Assoc Prof Dr. Rachad Zayat, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Germany
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rachad Zayat is a highly skilled and board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon at RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Germany, with over 12 years of operating room experience. Specializing in complex procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair, pacemaker implantation, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), Dr. Zayat has performed over 450 surgeries in the past two years alone. He is proficient in mechanical circulatory support systems like ECMO and LVAD, and is also known for expertise in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted thoracic surgery. Dr. Zayat is actively involved in academia and medical research, further contributing to advancements in cardiothoracic care.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rachad Zayat holds a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in Cardiac Surgery from RWTH University Hospital, Aachen, Germany, completed in May 2016. His dissertation focused on the impact of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy on the incidence of sternal wound infections, analyzing a large dataset of 4,100 cases. He earned his German State Examination for Medicine from C.A.U University of Kiel in September 2011, following his high school education at the American College in Aleppo, Syria, where he graduated in August 2003.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rachad Zayat is a highly experienced cardiothoracic surgeon currently serving as Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Head of the Mechanical Circulatory Support Program at Heart Centre Trier. Since October 2023, he has led groundbreaking procedures, including the first Total Artificial Heart CARMAT® implantation in Rheinland-Pfalz, and developed a successful Robotic Thoracic Surgery program. From 2020 to 2023, he was a Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at RWTH University Hospital Aachen, performing numerous TAVR, CABG, and ECMO procedures while mentoring students and residents. During his cardiac surgery residency (2012-2020), Dr. Zayat gained extensive experience in complex surgeries, including over 100 CABG and 50 valve surgeries.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rachad Zayat focuses his research on advancing cardiothoracic surgical techniques, with a particular interest in catheter-based heart valve therapies (TAVR), ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis (EKOS-Lyse) for pulmonary embolism, and mechanical circulatory support systems like ECMO and LVAD. He also explores innovations in heart failure surgery, robotic and minimally invasive thoracic surgery, and works to improve patient outcomes. Dr. Zayat actively engages in medical research, addressing challenges in cardiac surgery, and regularly publishes his findings in peer-reviewed journals.
In conclusion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rachad Zayat stands as a distinguished figure in cardiothoracic surgery, demonstrating exceptional leadership, clinical expertise, and commitment to advancing patient care. His pioneering work in mechanical circulatory support systems, minimally invasive thoracic surgery, and groundbreaking procedures like the first-in-man Total Artificial Heart CARMAT® implantation has solidified his reputation as a leading expert in the field. Dr. Zayat’s contributions to both clinical practice and academic research continue to impact the future of cardiothoracic surgery, inspiring innovation and excellence in the medical community.
Top Notable Publications:
Hima, F., Saunders, A., Kashefi, A., Zayat, R., Kalverkamp, S. (2024). “In vitro evaluation of the performance of an oxygenator depending on the non-standard gas content of the inlet blood with special regard on CO2 elimination.” Perfusion (United Kingdom), 39(8), pp. 1614–1620.
Citations: 0
Schnoering, L., Khattab, M.A., Akhyari, P., Lotfi, S., Zayat, R. (2024). “Pressure-dimension index and left ventricular sphericity index following HeartMate II and HeartMate 3 implantation.” ESC Heart Failure, 11(5), pp. 3012–3022.
Citations: 2
Kolashov, A., Lotfi, S., Spillner, J., Zayat, R., Khattab, M.A. (2024). “Evaluation of myocardial work changes after lung resection—the significance of surgical approach: an echocardiographic comparison between VATS and thoracotomy.” General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 72(8), pp. 542–550.
Citations: 0
Billig, S., Zayat, R., Yelenski, S., Hochhausen, N., Derwall, M. (2024). “The Self-Expandable Impella CP (ECP) as a Mechanical Resuscitation Device.” Bioengineering, 11(5), 456.
Citations: 0
Durak, K., Nubbemeyer, K., Zayat, R., Kalverkamp, S., Kersten, A. (2024). “De Ritis Ratio to Predict Clinical Outcomes of Intermediate- and High-Risk Pulmonary Embolisms.” Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(7), 2104.
Citations: 0
Doukas, P., Dalibor, N., Keszei, A., Akhyari, P., Mehdiani, A. (2024). “Factors Associated with Early Mortality in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection—A Single-Centre Experience.” Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(4), 1023.
Citations: 0
Abdulwahab, H.A.M., Kolashov, A., Haneya, A., Zayat, R., Khattab, M.A. (2024). “Temperature management in acute type A aortic dissection treatment: deep vs. moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest. Is colder better?” Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 11, 1447007.
Citations: 0
Hima, F., Kalverkamp, S., Kashefi, A., Spillner, J., Mouzakis, F. (2023). “Oxygenation performance assessment of an artificial lung in different central anatomic configurations.” International Journal of Artificial Organs, 46(5), pp. 295–302.
Citations: 1
Hill, A., Bergmann, D., Schulte, J., Brücken, A., Stoppe, C. (2023). “Proenkephalin A and bioactive adrenomedullin are useful for risk prognostication in cardiac surgery.” Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 9, 1017867.
Citations: 4
Hill, A., von Dossow, V., Heyland, D.K., Moza, A., Stoppe, C. (2022). “Preoperative Nutritional Optimization and Physical Exercise for Patients Scheduled for Elective Implantation for a Left-Ventricular Assist Device—The PROPER-LVAD Study.” Surgeries (Switzerland), 3(4), pp. 284–296.
Citations: 4