SUMMARY
Paul C. Tang, M.D., Ph.D., is a cardiovascular surgeon with advanced training in heart transplantation, ventricular assist devices and aortic surgery.
Dr. Tang's clinical expertise includes surgical treatment of heart failure, such as heart transplantation and implantation of ventricular assist devices, as well as valvular repair or replacement, coronary artery bypass grafting, and aortic aneurysm surgery. He leads the department's research activities, including clinical outcomes research, clinical trials, basic and translational research, and innovation.
Dr. Tang's clinical research focuses on outcomes in heart transplantation and ventricular assist devices. His cardiac surgery laboratory is creating new biotechnologies and therapies to improve the performance of donor hearts and reduce rejection after transplantation.
Dr. Tang's research interests include:
- Heart transplant surgery outcomes.
- Mechanical circulatory support implementation outcomes.
- Immune and cellular biology of donor organ preservation and recovery.
- Transplantation immunology.
- Heart failure pathobiology.
- Cardiovascular aging.
Dr. Tang's laboratory investigates the immunology and cell biology of donor organ preservation as well as cardiovascular aging. His team is developing new and unique biotechnologies to improve donor heart performance and reduce rejection after transplantation. His outcomes research is aligned with his clinical interests, with a focus on improving the management of heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support.
Dr. Tang is an investigator in clinical trials that seek to improve heart failure therapies and has leadership roles in relevant professional societies and journals. His research endeavors are supported by sources including the National Institutes of Health, professional societies and foundations.
Focus areas
- Heart and ventricular assist device transplantation. With collaborators at Mayo Clinic and other organizations, Dr. Tang develops clinical management strategies that include transplantation of donor hearts and ventricular assist devices. The goal of these strategies is to provide better outcomes for patients with advanced heart failure.
- Donor organ preservation biotechnology. Dr. Tang's research team discovers biological processes that impact how well donor organs are preserved for transplant. The team then uses this new knowledge to develop biotechnology that improves the function of donor organs, such as hearts, and reduces immune rejection after transplantation.
Significance to patient care
Through clinical outcomes and translational science research, Dr. Tang helps people with advanced heart failure thrive by identifying new ways of treating them. This is particularly important and urgent for people who need advanced therapies such as heart transplantation or ventricular assist device implantation.
Professional highlights
- Member, The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), 2023-present.
- Vice chair for research, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 2023-present.
- Member, International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, 2016-present.
- Member, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, 2016-present.
- Member, Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA), 2016-present.
- Gardner Surgical Investigator Award, AATS, 2021.
- Thoracic Surgery Foundation Research Award, STSA, 2018.
- Third John Alexander Research Scholarship Award, AATS, 2017.