Hiroto Kitahara, MD, is a cardiac surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, as well as assistant professor of surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine. He is certified by the Japanese Board of Cardiovascular Surgery.

Dr. Kitahara specializes in cardiac surgery for patients with advanced heart failure. Within this subspeciality, he treats cardiomyopathy, cardiogenic shock, coronary artery disease, valvular disease, and adult congenital disease, among others. He offers a range of therapies for acute mechanical circulatory support–left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), percutaneous RVADs, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)–as well as long-term therapies such as durable LVADs and heart transplantations.

He is a member of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons International.

After earning his medical degree from Keio University School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan, Dr. Kitahara completed a residency in cardiovascular surgery at the same location. He then pursued advanced fellowship training in minimally invasive cardiac and aortic surgery at Asahikawa Medical University in Hokkaido, Japan, and in mechanical circulatory support and cardiothoracic transplant at The University of Chicago.

Dr. Kitahara’s primary research interest focuses on heart failure and robotic surgery.

Philosophy of Care

“I believe new technology continues to expand the ‘realm of the possible’ in cardiac surgery. As an advanced heart failure surgeon, I realize how incredibly well mechanical device technology works to support the human body. Moreover, surgical robot technology encourages us to move to the next stage of heart surgery. It is very rewarding to see how these technological advances improve the lives of our patients.

In addition to staying abreast of the developing technology, I really try to get to know each of my patients. I spend as much time as possible with them, developing a good relationship and strong partnership. In this way, together with other physician team members, we can best tackle a very challenging, long-term disease.”