Tirone E. David, MD

University of Parana in 1968. He then trained in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery from 1970 to 1975 at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Afterward, he immigrated to Canada, where he became a cardiovascular surgeon at the Toronto General Hospital, where he is now professor and head of the division of Cardiovascular Surgery.

Dr. David proposed a technique for a valve-sparing treatment for aortic insufficiency, due to dilatation of Valsalva sinuses. Dr. David's current research interests are centered on clinical outcomes of surgical treatment of aortic and mitral valve diseases, aortic root aneurysm, and connective disorders of the heart and great vessels. Dr. David is also known for his knowledge and use of the Ross Procedure for aortic valve replacement.

He is a past president of the American Association of Thoracic Surgeons and has received a host of the highest accolades in Canada and worldwide. He is even cited on Wikipedia.

In this interview, Dr. David discusses his routine techniques for sternotomy, cannulation, and routine aortic-valve replacement, including choice of valves and when to do a Ross procedure. Then he discusses his signature operation---the aortic valve sparing root replacement, with many valuable hints and tips.