Dr. Rajneesh Malhotra: A Pioneering Cardiac Surgeon

Dr. Rajneesh Malhotra is a leading figure in the field of Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS). He is best known for bringing complex heart surgery into the realm of minimally invasive procedures, significantly reducing patient trauma, pain, and recovery time. He is widely regarded as one of the foremost robotic cardiac surgeons in the country.

Current Positions & Affiliations:

• Vice Chairman – Cardiac Sciences at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi.
• Chairman & Head – CTVS (Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery) at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi.
  *(Note: There is often a consolidation of leadership roles within the Max Healthcare network, so his title may be listed with slight variations, but his primary affiliation is with Max Hospitals in Saket.)

Areas of Expertise & Pioneering Work:

Dr. Malhotra’s clinical focus is on performing complex heart surgeries with the least invasive methods possible:

1. Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS):
   • Performing keyhole heart surgeries through small incisions instead of the traditional full sternotomy (splitting the breastbone).
   • This includes minimally invasive valve repairs/replacements (mitral, aortic), ASD closures, and CABG.
2. Robotic Cardiac Surgery:
   • He is a pioneer and the most experienced robotic cardiac surgeon in India.
   • Uses the da Vinci Surgical System to perform extremely precise operations with enhanced vision and maneuverability through tiny ports.
   • Procedures include robotic mitral valve repair, robotic CABG, and robotic surgery for atrial tumors.
3. Beating Heart Coronary Artery Bypage Grafting (OPCAB):
   • Performing bypass surgery without using a heart-lung machine, on a beating heart, which reduces associated risks.
4. Complex Valve Repair Surgery:
   • Specializes in repairing rather than replacing valves (especially mitral valves), which offers better long-term outcomes for patients.
5. Surgery for Atrial Fibrillation (Maze Procedure):
   • Performing the surgical ablation technique to correct irregular heart rhythms.

Education & Training:

• MBBS from the University of Delhi.
• MS (General Surgery) from the University of Delhi.
• DNB (Cardiothoracic Surgery) – National Board of Examinations, India.
• He underwent advanced fellowships in cardiac surgery at prestigious international institutions, including:
  • The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA (a world leader in cardiac care).
  • St. Luke’s Medical Center, Milwaukee, USA.

Awards & Recognitions:

• Awarded the Padma Shri (one of India’s highest civilian honors) in 2016 for his contributions to medicine.
• Dr. B. C. Roy Award (2009), a premier medical honor in India.
• Holds a place in the “Limca Book of Records” for his pioneering work in robotic cardiac surgery.
• Consistently ranked among “India’s Best Doctors” and “Top 10 Cardiac Surgeons” by numerous surveys and publications.
• Invited as a live operative demonstrator and faculty at national and international conferences to share his techniques.

Key Contributions:

• Introducing Robotic Surgery: He performed the first robotic cardiac surgery in India and has since built one of the world’s largest and most successful robotic cardiac surgery programs.
• Training and Proctoring: He is dedicated to teaching and has trained a generation of cardiac surgeons across India and Asia in minimally invasive techniques, ensuring the wider adoption of these advanced methods.
• Clinical Excellence: With a career spanning decades, he has performed over 15,000 heart surgeries with outstanding outcomes, earning the deep trust of patients and peers alike.

In summary, Dr. Rajneesh Malhotra is a Padma Shri awardee and a visionary surgeon who has fundamentally changed the landscape of cardiac surgery in India. He is synonymous with high-precision, minimally invasive, and robotic heart surgery, offering patients safer procedures and faster recoveries.