Piotr Suwalski, MD, PhD

Professor Piotr Suwalski, MD, PhD, is a distinguished cardiac surgeon and researcher. He is a leading authority on innovative cardiac surgery techniques in Poland, Europe and internationally. On March 8, 2024, he assumed the role of Director of the National Medical Institute of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration (PIM MSWiA). Prior to this appointment, he has served as the Head of the Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantation at the PIM MSWiA since 2012.

Professor Suwalski possesses extensive experience in pioneering cardiac surgical techniques.  Both before and after completing his postdoctoral qualification (habilitation), he has performed a significant number of innovative procedures in Poland, Europe, and across the globe. These procedures encompass surgical interventions for supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation), left atrial appendage occlusion, and minimally invasive thoracoscopic valve surgery.

Professor’s research endeavors concern:

• application of novel energy sources and techniques in surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation (clinical and experimental work),
• identification of indications for repair of ischaemic mitral regurgitation,
• application of minimally invasive techniques and new methods in mitral regurgitation repair,
• surgical treatment of coronary artery disease,
• exploration of new possibilities for using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cardiac surgery,
• evaluation of the role of bacteria in the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary vessel,
• research on the culture and properties of cardiac fibroblasts and human cardiomyocytes.

Academic background

A native of Warsaw, he graduated with honours from the First Faculty of Medicine at the Medical University of Warsaw in 2000. He subsequently earned his doctorate in medical sciences with highest honors (summa cum laude) in 2005. His doctoral dissertation Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Surgical Atrial Fibrillation Using various surgical techniques was granted the Rector’s Second Degree Award for its innovative approach and significant contribution to the field. In 2009, he defended his habilitation dissertation at the Silesian Medical University in Katowice. This thesis focused on the effectiveness of surgical ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation, depending on the techniques and energy sources employed. Professor Suwalski’s outstanding scientific achievements culminated in his being awarded the prestigious title of Professor in Medical and Health Sciences in 2019.

Training, internships, and professional education

Throughout his career, he gained valuable experience at renowned cardiology institutions, including the Herzzentrum Leipzig under the leadership of Professor Friedrich-Wilhelm Mohr. Additionally, he has enriched his knowledge and skills through clinical and research placements at esteemed centers in the Netherlands and Germany.

Lecturing career

He has supervised a total of 52 undergraduate (BA) and master’s (MA) theses, 32 of which were completed at the Warsaw Medical University (19 MA and 13 BA theses) and 20 at the UTH (20 MA theses). His mentorship extends to the next generation of cardiac surgeons.  Professor Suwalski currently supervises the specialization track of five promising young cardiac surgeons, two of whom have already successfully completed their specialization exams.  He has also nurtured doctoral-level scholarship, having supervised one doctoral dissertation that resulted in the award of a PhD with honors.  Professor Suwalski’s guidance continues with four currently active doctoral projects under his supervision. Furthermore, Professor Suwalski serves as the Head of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at the School of Medical Sciences within the Medical Centre for Postgraduate Education (CMKP).

Authorship

Professor Suwalski’s prolific research career is evidenced by his authorship of around 300 scientific papers.  The Impact Factor of his publications exceeds 300, a measure of his influence within the scientific community.  Professor Suwalski’s expertise is further reflected in his contributions to numerous European and American guidelines for treating various cardiac conditions.

His expertise is further recognized through his editorial roles with esteemed national and international scientific journals.  These include Innovation: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery and The Multimedia Manual of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (MMCTS).

Scientific Societies

From 2020 to 2021, he served as chairman of the Cardiac Surgery Section of the Polish Society of Cardiology and secretary of the Association Club of Polish Cardiac Surgeons. He actively participates in numerous structures within the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) and holds a position on the Board of the European Society of Cardiovascular Surgery (ESCVS).

He holds the distinction of being the only Polish member and one of only two Europeans within the prestigious 21st Century Cardiac Surgery Society, a select group of 57 global leaders in the field.  His leadership extends beyond national borders, as evidenced by his previous term (2019-2021) as President of the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (ISMICS).  His dedication to ISMICS began in 2015 with his involvement on the Membership Committee, followed by his participation on the Chitwood Award Committee since 2017.

Innovations & Contributions

Professor Suwalski has fostered international cooperations with over 60 esteemed centers across Europe, the United States, and Canada to perform many of these innovative procedures. Notably, his cooperation with the Utrecht Medical Center, University of Utrecht, yielded significant results. Together, they conducted a series of groundbreaking experimental studies that led to eight international patents and the awarding of grants from the European Union. This research program primarily focused on developing novel technologies for minimally invasive, thoracoscopic, and percutaneous treatment of arrhythmias.

He played a pivotal role in establishing the first lung transplant center in Mazovia and central Poland, facilitating the region’s first successful lung transplant in 2022.  Furthermore, he co-founded and currently manages the Extracorporeal Therapy Centre at the PIM MSWiA.  This center has become the largest in Poland and ranks among the top facilities in Europe for the number of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) therapies performed during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Additionally, it may boast the highest number of mobile ECMO transports in Europe during the same period.

Prizes & Awards

Professor Suwalski is the recipient of prestigious awards, including the European Council for Cardiovascular Research award, the Scandinavian Society for Research in Cardio-Thoracic Surgery award, and the TERAZ POLSKA award for pioneering minimally invasive cardiac surgery techniques, which he received in collaboration with his exceptional clinic team.  His dedication to his field has also been acknowledged through national honors, including the Golden Cross of Merit, Distinguished Service to Health – the Order for COVID Service and Activity, and the Presidential Cross of Regaining Independence.