About me
Christian Shults, MD, is a cardiac surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He is the regional director of cardiac aortic surgery, surgical ablation, and innovation, as well as the fellowship director for the complex aortic structural heart program. He is also an assistant professor of surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. Shults is board certified in general and thoracic surgery.
Dr. Shults specializes in the treatment of complex aortic disease, structural heart disease, valvular disease and redo valves, coronary artery disease, and atrial fibrillation through the use of open, endovascular, minimally invasive, and transcatheter treatment therapies. In particular, he treats patients with aneurysms of the aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending thoracic aorta, and thoracoabdominal aorta, in addition to anomalous coronaries, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, endocarditis.
As a national proctor for the Convergent Procedure for minimally invasive treatment of atrial fibrillation, Dr. Shults has performed one of the highest volumes in the country and gives lectures nationwide to other physicians about the procedure.
Dr. Shults is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery, and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Shults recently served as interim chair of Cardiac Surgery between 2019 and 2021.
After receiving his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine, Dr. Shults completed a residency in general surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital-Washington Hospital Center. During this time, he spent a year at Harvard Medical School for a research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he focused on developing novel strategies to treat patients in hemorrhagic shock. He then returned to MedStar Washington Hospital Center as chief resident of general surgery. After this, Dr. Shults continued his specialty training in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Emory University, where he completed a three-year specialized fellowship focusing on revascularization, complex aortic disease, valvular and transcatheter valvular therapies, as well as all other aspects of cardiac surgery. Next, he traveled to Leipzig, Germany for a visiting fellowship in minimally invasive/transcatheter aortic valve repair at the University of Leipzig Heart Hospital. He returned to the U.S. for an aortic surgery mini-fellowship at the University of Texas-Houston Memorial Hermann Hospital and an endovascular mini-fellowship at the Arizona Heart Hospital Department of Heart & Vascular Surgery.
Dr. Shults takes interest in healthcare reform, healthcare economics, and innovations for minimally invasive or transcatheter therapies. His research efforts include treatment outcomes for complex aortic disease, valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease. Dr. Shults is currently enrolling patients in several unique clinical trials, including the use of GORE® TAG® TBE, thoracic endoprosthesis in the treatment of lesions of the aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta; GORE® TAMBE, thoracoabdominal branch endoprosthesis for the treatment of thoracoabdominal and pararenal aortic aneurysms; NeoChord artificial chordae delivery system, a mitral valve repair technique for patients with severe mitral regurgitation; a new stent for the endovascular treatment of arch aneurysms; Allergan/Botox® study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Botox for the treatment of atrial fibrillation; as well as several trials involving the latest in transcatheter valve technology. Additionally, he is principal investigator for the Bolton Medical acute complicated type B thoracic aortic dissection clinical trial.
Philosophy of Care
“My goal is to deliver the best solution possible to my patients, incorporating all of the innovation and technology available, while minimizing the impact on the body, such as recovery time and time away from work and daily activities. I take my role in the health of my patients very seriously. I’ve seen firsthand the impact that heart disease can have on a family: the downside of untreated heart disease and the downside of heart disease treatment complications. I’m intent on addressing and preventing complications from happening while also providing solutions. Each patient and their family are the center of a world that gets my full attention. An important aspect of treatment is explaining the disease process and providing an educational foundation to my patients so that they fully understand the significance of the disease and why it’s important to treat.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Aortic Valve Surgery
- Atrial Appendage Closure
- Atrial Septal Defect Closure
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiomyopathy
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Heart Transplant
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Mitral Valve Repair
- Mitral Valve Stenosis
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Thoracic Aortic Dissection
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Abnormal Body Structure Imaging
- Abnormal Breathing
- Abnormal Function Study Results
- Abnormal Heart Rhythm
- Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
- Acute Endocarditis
- Acute Ischemic Heart Diseases
- Acute Myocardial Infarction
- Advanced Heart Failure
- Advanced Heart Failure (ADHF)
- Advanced Heart Failure (AHF)
- Advanced Heart Failure Care
- Amyloidosis
- Aneurysm Of Ascending Aorta
- Angina Pectoris
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Aneurysm Rupture
- Aortic Arch Aneurysm
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
- Arterial Embolism
- Artery Disorders
- Atherosclerosis
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Atrioventricular Block
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve
- Bleeding Disorders
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiac Prosthetic Device Complications
- Cardiac Tamponade
- Cardiomyopathy
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Circulatory System Complications
- Coarctation Of The Aorta
- Congenital Heart Valve Defects
- Congenital Malformations Of Great Arteries
- Congenital Malformations Of Great Veins
- Congenital Malformations Of Heart
- Congenital Malformations Of Musculoskeletal System
- Congenital Malformations Of Pulmonary And Tricuspid Valves
- Coronary Artery Blockage
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Cough
- Disorders Of Autonomic Nervous System
- Electrical Conduction Disorders
- Emergency Use Of U07
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Gestational Edema
- Heart Disease
- Heart Transplant Complications
- Heart Transplant Rejection
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Hypotension
- Infectious Endocarditis
- Intrathoracic Organ Injury
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Ischemic Heart Disease
- Liver Enzyme Abnormalities
- Long Term Drug Therapy
- Marfan Syndrome
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Mitral Valve Stenosis
- Myocardial Infarction
- Nonrheumatic Mitral Valve Disease
- Pain In Throat And Chest
- Paroxysmal Ventricular Tachycardia
- Pericardium Diseases
- Peripheral Vascular Diseases
- Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension
- Pleural Effusion
- Poisoning
- Precerebral Artery Occlusion
- Presence Of Cardiac And Vascular Implants
- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Pulmonary Heart Disease
- Pulmonary Valve Disorders
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Respiratory Disorders
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Shock
- Subcortical Infarction
- Thoracic Aortic Dissection
- Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm
- Transient Cerebral Ischemic Attacks
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Venous Embolism
- Ventricular Arrhythmia
Procedures I perform
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
- Aneurysm Repair
- Aortic Root Replacement
- Aortic Stenosis Treatment
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Aortic Valve Supplement
- Aortic Valve Surgery
- Atrial Septal Defect Closure
- Atrial Septal Defect Repair
- Cardiac Ablation For Ventricular Tachycardia
- Cardiac Myxoma Excision
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Coronary Artery Stenting
- Device Implantation For Heart Failure
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Gastric Surgery
- Heart Failure Treatment
- Heart Pacemaker Implantation
- Heart Transplant
- Intraaortic Balloon Pump Placement
- Maze Procedure For Atrial Fibrillation
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty
- Mitral Valve Repair
- Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome Treatment
- Pulmonary Valve Replacement
- Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
- Tricuspid Valve Repair
- Valvuloplasty
- Ventricular Fibrillation Treatment
- Vestibuloplasty
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- HealthyBlue PPO
- IH-EPO Plus
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- CIGNA Indemnity
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Optimum Choice
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- HumanaChoice PPO
- IH-PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Choice Fund PPO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Navigate
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Network OA
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- HighMark
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- First Health PPO
- Beech Street PPO
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- IH-HMO
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Medicare FFS
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CIGNA EPO
- OA Plus
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Medicare Direct
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- United Healthcare Choice
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- IH-Open HMO Option
- IH-POS Plus
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- IH-Open HMO
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- IH-POS
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- UHC Passport
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Choice POS
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- First Health PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- IH-Open POS II
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- CareFirst EPO
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Tricare Reserve Select
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- CareFirst Administrators
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Sentara Health
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- TRICARE for Life East
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- IH-Indemnity
- TRICARE East Prime
- Aetna Basic
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- POS OA
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Police and Fire Clinic
- BlueChoice Open Access
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Employee Health Plan
- Aetna Classic 5000
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- TRICARE East Select
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- United Student Resources
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Choice POS II
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CIGNA PPO
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- CareFirst NASCO
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
Fellowship: Emory University School of Medicine (2013)
Residency: MedStar Washington Hospital Center (2010)
Medical School: Georgetown University Medical Center (2004)