Christian Charles Shults, MD| Cardiac Surgery

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 pat

Clinical areas of focus

Aortic Valve Repair
Aortic Valve Surgery
Atrial Appendage Closure
Atrial Septal Defect Closure
Mitral Valve Repair

Conditions and procedures

Conditions I treat

Abnormal Breathing
Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
Acute Endocarditis
Acute Ischemic Heart Diseases
Acute Myocardial Infarction
Advanced Heart Failure
Advanced Heart Failure (ADHF)
Advanced Heart Failure (AHF)
Amyloidosis
Aneurysm Of Ascending Aorta
Angina Pectoris
Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Aneurysm Rupture
Aortic Arch Aneurysm
Aortic Valve Disease
Aortic Valve Disorders
Aortic Valve Regurgitation
Atherosclerosis
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial Septal Defect
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Cardiac Prosthetic Device Complications
Cardiac Tamponade
Cardiomyopathy
Circulatory System Complications
Coarctation Of The Aorta
Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
Complications Of Cardiac Surgery
Complications Of Heart Transplant
Complications Of Procedures
Complications Of Transplanted Organs And Tissue
Congenital Heart Valve Defects
Congenital Malformation Syndromes Affecting Multiple Systems
Congenital Malformations Of Great Arteries
Congenital Malformations Of Great Veins
Congenital Malformations Of Heart
Congenital Malformations Of Pulmonary And Tricuspid Valves
Coronary Artery Blockage
Coronary Artery Disease
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Heart Disease
Heart Transplant Complications
Heart Transplant Rejection
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Infectious Endocarditis
Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
Ischemic Heart Disease
Marfan Syndrome
Mitral Regurgitation
Mitral Valve Disease
Mitral Valve Prolapse
Mitral Valve Stenosis
Myocardial Infarction
Myocardial Infarction Complications
Nonrheumatic Mitral Valve Disease
Pericardium Diseases
Presence Of Cardiac And Vascular Implants
Pulmonary Valve Disorders
Pulmonary Valve Endocarditis
Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
Pulmonary Vessel Disease
Rheumatic Fever With Heart Involvement
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Rheumatic Heart Diseases
Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
Sarcoidosis
Thoracic Aortic Dissection
Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm
Tricuspid Stenosis

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Procedures I perform

Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
Aneurysm Repair
Aortic Root Replacement
Aortic Stenosis Treatment
Aortic Valve Repair
Aortic Valve Supplement
Aortic Valve Surgery
Atrial Appendage Closure
Atrial Septal Defect Closure
Atrial Septal Defect Repair
Cardiac Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiac Ablation For Ventricular Tachycardia
Cardiac Myxoma Excision
Cardiac Surgery For Congenital Heart Defects
Cardiac Surgery For Congenital Heart Disease
Cardiac Surgery For Heart Transplantation
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Device Implantation For Heart Failure
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Heart Failure Treatment
Intraaortic Balloon Pump Placement
Maze Procedure For Atrial Fibrillation
Microvascular Transplant Surgery
Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty
Mitral Valve Reconstruction
Mitral Valve Repair
Pulmonary Valve Reconstruction
Pulmonary Valve Replacement
Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
Tricuspid Valve Reconstruction
Tricuspid Valve Repair
Valvuloplasty
Ventricular Fibrillation Treatment

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Practice locations

Distance from Change LocationEnter your Location

110 Irving St NW
North Addition 1st Fl Ste 1243
Washington, DC, 20010

202-877-4698

Fax 202-877-2799

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miles away

Fax 202-877-2799

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.

List of insurance plans we accept
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- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Choice POS II
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Network OA
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- MultiPlan, Inc
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- CIGNA EPO
- UHC Passport
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Medicare FFS
- IH-HMO
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- TRICARE for Life East
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- OA Plus
- TRICARE East Prime
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- IH-Indemnity
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- HighMark
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CareFirst NASCO
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Optimum Choice
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Choice Fund PPO
- Employee Health Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CareFirst EPO
- IH-PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- United Student Resources
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- IH-POS
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- IH-Open POS II
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Aetna VA Exchange
- IH-Open HMO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- First Health PPO
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Aetna Basic
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Medicare Direct
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- CIGNA PPO
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Choice POS
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- IH-POS Plus
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- CareFirst Administrators
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Aetna Classic 3500
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Sentara Health
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Beech Street PPO
- POS OA
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- First Health PPO
- IH-EPO Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna HMO
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- CIGNA Indemnity
- United Healthcare Choice
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- TRICARE East Select
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Blue Choice Advantage
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO