Shahab Akhter, MD

Associate Professor of Surgery

Director, Surgical Arrhythmia Program

Shahab Akhter, MD, is an expert cardiothoracic surgeon specializing in adult cardiac surgery. Dr. Akhter is highly skilled in minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and in the development of innovative treatment techniques. Using the most advanced technology, he achieves outstanding results in permanently curing atrial fibrillation -- especially in patients for whom other therapies have failed. Dr. Akhter is recognized for his work in the surgical treatment of advanced heart failure, including implantation of ventricular assist devices, heart transplantation, and high-risk coronary artery bypass and valvular surgery. He routinely uses minimally invasive approaches for cardiac surgery, which minimizes hospital length of stay and recovery time.

Also a respected surgeon-scientist, Dr. Akhter's research is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education. He is actively investigating basic molecular mechanisms for the development of heart failure and designing novel therapeutic strategies to prevent this condition. Specifically, his clinical research is focused on optimizing the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation and improving outcomes in mechanical circulatory support for advanced heart failure. Dr. Akhter is also investigating molecular strategies to prevent the progressive adverse ventricular remodeling and heart failure that frequently occurs in patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction.

Practice Location

Center for Advanced Medicine
5758 S. Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637

Year Started Practice

2002

Board Certifications

Surgery
Thoracic Surgery

Medical School

University of Chicago

Residency

University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC

Fellowship

Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC

Memberships

American Association for Thoracic Surgery
American College of Surgeons
American Heart Association
Association for Academic Surgery
International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation
Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Society of University Surgeons
Southern Thoracic Surgical Association

Language Spoken

English

Email

sakhter@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu

Office Phone

(773) 702-2500

Office Fax

(773) 702-4187

Office Postal Address

Shahab Akhter, MD
University of Chicago Medical Center
5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 5035
Chicago, IL 60637

Clinical Interests

• Adult cardiac surgery
• Atrial fibrillation surgery
• Heart failure surgery
• Heart valve surgery
• Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)
• Heart transplantation
• Minimally invasive heart surgery
• Mechanical circulatory support

Request an appointment online
or call HealthLink at
1-888-UCH-0200

Video

Dr. Akhter is featured in a video about our cardiac surgeons.

Dr. Akhter is featured in a video about Lynda Spiegel, an avid runner diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. She turned to the Medical Center for treatment because our heart surgeons can offer the most advanced minimally invasive techniques. Dr. Akhter describes her case and the benefits of atrial fibrillation surgery.

For Frank Fleischer, medications and catheter ablation therapy provided only temporary relief from atrial fibrillation. Dr. Akhter performed a minimally invasive modified Maze procedure to restore Fleischer's normal heart rhythm.

Selected Publications

View a partial list of Dr. Akhter's publications through the National Library of Medicine's PubMed online database.