The Promise of Ventricular-Assist Devices
Ventricular circulatory assist devices (VADs) now almost rival heart transplantation in terms of impact on patient survival and quality of life. VADs are becoming smaller and risks are declining.
About David D'Alessandro, MD
David A. D'Alessandro, MD, is cardiac surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is a member of the Mass General Corrigan Minehan Heart Center and the Mass General Transplant Center, and specializes in ventricular assist devices. He is a Member of Faculty at Harvard Medical School. He is also the surgical director of Heart Transplantation and Ventricular Assist Devices in the Division of Cardiac Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Before joining, Dr. D'Alessandro was on the faculty of the Montefiore Medical Center in New York where he served as the surgical director of the Heart Transplantation Program. Under his leadership, the program experienced consistent growth and led the region in survival outcomes. In 2013 he was named the Erika and Jay Abramson Distinguished Surgeon in recognition of his scientific contributions to the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery.
Dr. D'Alessandro received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and completed his medical education at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He completed his residency in general surgery, a fellowship in renal transplantation and clinical and research fellowships in cardiothoracic surgery at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York.
Dr. D'Alessandro has focused his clinical interests on surgical treatments of end stage heart failure including mechanical assistance and heart transplantation. He has broad experience with all aspects of adult cardiothoracic surgery including on and off pump coronary artery bypass surgery, valve repair and replacement, and the treatment thoracic aneurysms. Additionally, he has extensive experience with acute and chronic mechanical circulatory support devices including the latest generation of mechanical assist devices.
Departments, Centers, & Programs:
Clinical Interests:
- Cardiac (heart) Surgery
- Coronary artery bypass surgery
- Heart failure
- Heart Transplant
- Thoracic aneurysms
- Valve repair and replacement
- Ventricular assist devices
Treats:
- Adult
Locations
Mass General Heart Center: Cardiac Surgery
55 Fruit St.
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-726-8841
Medical Education
- MD, Columbia University, Office of the Registrar
- Residency, Columbia University Medical Center
- Residency, New York Presbyterian - Columbia University Medical Center**
- Fellowship, New York Presbyterian - Columbia University Medical Center**
American Board Certifications
- Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, American Board of Thoracic Surgery
Accepted Insurance Plans
- Aetna
- Beech Street
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
- Cigna
- Commonwealth Care Alliance
- Coventry
- Fallon Health
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Humana
- Maine Community Health Options
- Mass General Brigham Health Plan
- MassHealth
- Medicaid CT
- Medicaid ME
- Medicaid NH
- Medicaid RI
- Medicaid VT
- Medicare
- Medicare ACO
- Multiplan
- Railroad Medicare
- Senior Whole Health
- TriCare
- Tufts Health Plan
- United Health Care
- Wellpoint
- WellSense
- WellSense NH
Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.
Research
Dr. D'Alessandro research has studied the effects and effectiveness of mechanical circulatory support systems, including ventricular assist devices. He has participated in numerous clinical trials, with a focus on mitral valve repair and replacement.
In addition to numerous publications and scientific presentations, he was awarded a U.S. patent for a novel cardiac stabilizer with a potential application to beating heart surgery. Dr. D'Alessandro was a co-investigator in the NHLBI sponsored Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network and an active participant in trial design and implementation. Additional areas of interest include stem cell applications for myocardial regeneration and ex-vivo organ perfusion and resuscitation.