Steven Hunter- BMedSci, BMBS, FRCS(Eng), FRCS(CTh)

  • Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Specialties

Adult Cardiac Surgery

Specialist Clinical Interests

Mitral valve repair surgery
Electrophysiology surgery and Surgery for atrial fibrillation
Minimal access cardiac surgery

Research Interests

Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation and other dysrrythmias.

Professional Profile

I was appointed to a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon post in May 1997 and I have performed over 5000 cardiac operations. I gave up thoracic surgery 16 years ago with the exception of major trauma. My current major interest is in minimal access valve and atrial fibrillation ablation surgery.

I have introduced several new techniques in the last 18 years. As a senior registrar I was central to the pulmonary thromboendarterectomy programme at Papworth hospital but I was appointed a consultant shortly after. I performed three successful cases as a consultant but stopped because all funding went through NSCAG and they decided to have one UK centre. I introduced stentless bioprostheses to my Middlesbrough. I have always had an electrophysiological interest and started surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation in 1998 which at that time was cut and sew. In 2003 I used microwave devices to ablate the atria and was the first in the UK (second in the world) to perform a totally thoracoscopic epicardial ablation for atrial fibrillation. The microwave device is no longer manufactured and I changed to a bipolar RF device.

I have the largest series of thoracoscopic ablation of AF in the UK. I was the first in the UK to use the Atriclip device to close the left atrial appendage and the first in the world to use this device thoracoscopically. I have always had an interest in valve repair techniques and in 2002 was a founder member of the European Valve repair group (EVRG). We discuss many techniques and now run several courses and symposia for mitral, tricuspid and aortic valve repair. In 2002 I began a minimal invasive programme for mitral valve surgery and shortly after included tricuspid and aortic valve surgery as well as ASD closure.

I have been a trainer and proctor for minimal invasive mitral valve surgery since 2005. In 2011 one of my trainees was awarded a grant to train specifically in mitral valve surgery which included minimal invasive techniques. He was the first trainee to be trained in the UK. Minimal access surgery is usually taken on by established consultants. I am also a trainer and proctor for thoracoscopic ablation of atrial fibrillation.

I have management experience and was Clinical Director from 2001 to 2005. During this time I wrote the business plan and managed the introduction of a new operating theatre and more beds. I introduced a waiting list referral system that adjusted for individual surgeons throughput so that all the surgeons waiting lists became the same length. I introduced nurse practitioners and surgical care practitioners who have now taken over the roles of the SHO/equivalent and take on many of the duties traditionally undertaken by registrars. I have kept up to date with all the appropriate courses including equality and diversity, appraisal, management and leadership and training the trainer.

I have published 40 papers and conducted one randomised trial for which I raised the funds. I keep abreast of all major studies and I am a reviewer for the European journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery. I regularly participate in audit and have had many presented at national meetings.

I have always had a keen interest in teaching and training. I was an honorary lecturer in anatomy at Durham University. I have been programme director and Chairman of the STC (2001 to 2005). I introduced a formal training committee for our specialty in the northern deanery. I have been on the SAC from 2005 to 2013 and during this time I have been involved with or led many national projects. I was involved with a wet lab project (using animal material), where DVDs of most cardiac procedures were filmed, with a practical guide for trainees and trainers and a booklet for self-directed learning. These were made available to all trainees. Currently they can be downloaded from the RCS website. I was involved in the writing of the cardiothoracic curriculum and was the lead for writing all the procedure based assessments. More recently I have led and developed national (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) selection for cardiothoracic surgical trainees. We were the first specialty to do this and many of the tools we have developed have been used by other specialties. I have an interest in developing simulation for training. Taking this beyond wet labs and using computerised graphics with arms that have haptic feedback.

I have been an examiner for the intercollegiate specialty examination since 2005. I sat on the board from 2005 to 2010 and was secretary from 2007 to 2010. I try to attend at least one diet every year.

Throughout my career I have maintained my professional development contributing to weekly divisional meetings. I have given 31 lectures at national and over 30 at international meetings. Consequently I attend these meetings listening and learning from colleagues from around the world. I have also been on the faculty of many national and international courses where I have never failed to learn something from a colleague. As mentioned above, I am a founder member of the EVRG where we discuss, teach and demonstrate techniques for repairing mitral, tricuspid and aortic valves.

Education and Training

Brinsworth Comprehensive School, Rotherham 1973-1980
Nottingham University Medical School 1981-1986
Nottingham Hospitals 1986-1989
Northern General Hospital 1989-1992
St Georges Hospital, London 1992-1994
Hammersmith Hospital, London 1995
Papworth Hospital, CAMBS 1995-1997

Current membership(s) of professional, national and regional bodies and university posts

Member of the Great Britain and Ireland Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery
Member of the European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Chairman of the Young Cardiothoracic Club (elected) - 1999 to 2002
Young Surgeons representative on the Executive of The Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland – 1999 to 2002
Programme Director for Cardiothoracic Surgery, Northern Deanery – 2001 to 2004
Chairman of the Specialty Training Committee for Cardiothoracic Surgery, Northern Deanery – 2001 to 2005
Clinical Director for Cardiothoracic Surgery, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough – 2001 to 2005
Elected member of the Executive of The Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland – 2002 to 2005
Coast to Coast Committee – 2002 to 2003
Cardiothoracic Dean for Great Britain & Ireland – (SCTS Executive, Cardiothoracic SAC & Cardiothoracic Intercollegiate Examination Board) 2005 to 2010.
Cardiothoracic Surgery adviser to the Medical Devises Agency (MHRA).
Specialist adviser to the NICE Interventional Procedures Programme.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon for the British F1 Grand Prix – 1996 to present
Honorary Lecturer with the School of Health and Social Care, University of Teesside. Until 2013
Honorary Lecturer in Anatomy at the Durham University Medical School. Until 2013
Secretary of the Cardiothoracic Intercollegiate Examination Board 2007 – 2010
SAC National Selection Lead 2010 – 2013
SAC member 2005 - 2013
Cardiothoracic Intercollegiate Examiner 2005 - 2015

Publications

Hunter S, Smith GH, Angelini GD
Adverse haemodynamic effects of pericardial closure soon after open heart surgery
Ann Thorac Surg 1992:53:425-429
 
Angelini GD, Bryan AJ, Hunter S, Newby AC
A surgical technique that preserves human saphenous vein functional integrity
Ann Thorac Surg 1992:53:871-874
 
Hunter S, Angelini GD
Phoshotidylcholine coated chest tubes improve drainage to the heart after open surgery
Ann Thorac Surg 1993:56:1339-1342
 
Jones TH, Hunter S, Price A, Angelini GD
Should thyroid function be assessed before cardiopulmonary bypass surgery
Ann Thorac Surg 1994:58:434-436
 
Francis SE, Hunter S, Holt CM, Gadsdon PA, Rogers S, Taylor , Newby AC, Duff GW, Angelini GD
Release of platelet-derived growth factor activity from pig venous arterial grafts
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surgery 1994;108:540-548
 
Montgomery HE, Hunter S, Morris S, Naunton-Morgan R, Marshall RM
Interpretation of electrocardiograms by doctors
Brit Med J 1994;309:1551-1552
 
Jones TH, Hunter S, Price A Angelini GD
(Letter)
Ann Thorac Surg 1995;59:1273-1275
 
Ninan MJ, Hunter S, Parker DJ
Aortobronchial fistula following aortic valve surgery. A case report
J R Soc Med 1994:87:558-559
 
Hunter S, Wallwork J
Heart and lung transplantation
Hospital Update Suppl Oct 1996:16-22
 
Braidley P, Aravot D, Hunter S, Dunning J, White D, Wallwork J
Transgenic pigs – breakthrough in xenotransplantation
Isr J Med Sci 1996;32:795-798
 
Graham RJ, Hunter S, Stewart MJ. Tissue doppler imaging identifies early improvement in left ventricular systolic and diastolic function after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis.
European Journal of Echocardiography 2003; 4(Supplement):S54.
 
Turley AJ, Hunter S, Stewart MJ
A cardiac paragonglioma presenting with atypical chest pain
Eur J Cardiothoracic Surg 2005;28:352-354
 
Beholz S, Hunter S, Alcon CA, Zussa C
Recommendations for the implantation of the pericarbon freedom stentless valve.
Heart Surg Forum 2005; 8(6): E409-11
 
Dunning J, Hunter S, Kendall SWH, Wallis J, Owens WA
Coronary bypass grafting using crossclamp fibrillation does not result in reliable reperfusion of the myocardium when the crossclamp is intermittently released: a prospective cohort study.
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery 2006, 1:45
The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.cardiothoracicsurgery.org/content/1/1/45
 
Perreas KG, Hunter S
Aortic valve replacement with a stentless pericardial valve through minimal access surgery.
J. Card Surg 2006; 21: 176-7
 
Bridgewater B, Hooper T, Munsch C, Hunter S, von Oppell U, Livesey S, Keogh B,
Wells F, Patrick M, Kneeshaw J, Chambers J, Masani N, Ray S
Mitral repair best practice standards; Consensus of a national multidisciplinary panel.
Heart. 2006; 92(7): 939-44
 
Perreas KG, Hunter S. J Card Surg. Aortic valve replacement with a stentless pericardial valve through minimal access surgery.
2006 Mar-Apr; 21(2):176-7. PMID: 16492281
 
Bridgewater B, Hooper T, Munsch C, Hunter S, von Oppell U, Livesey S, Keogh B, Wells F, Patrick M, Kneeshaw J, Chambers J, Masani N, Ray S.Heart. Mitral repair best practice: proposed standards.
2006 Jul;92(7):939-44.PMID: 16251225
 
 
Close V, Purohit M, Tanos M, Hunter S. Should patients post-cardiac surgery be given low molecular weight heparin for deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis?
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2006 Oct; 5(5):624-9.
 
Dunning J, Hunter S, Kendall SW, Wallis J, Owens WA.Coronary bypass grafting using crossclamp fibrillation does not result in reliable reperfusion of the myocardium when the crossclamp is intermittently released: a prospective cohort study.
J Cardiothorac Surg. 2006 Nov 21;1:45.
 
Nyawo B, Graham R, Hunter S
Aortic valve replacement with the Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless valve: Five year follow up.
Journal of Heart Valve Disease 2007:16:42-48
 
Nyawo B, Graham R, Hunter S
Aortic valve replacement with Sorin pericarbon stentless valve. Early results
J Heart Valve Dis. 2007;16(1):42-8
 
Dunning J, Graham RJ, Thambyrajah J, Stewart MJ, Kendall SW, Hunter S. Stentless vs. stented aortic valve bioprostheses: a prospective randomized controlled trial.
Eur Heart J. 2007 Oct; 28(19):2369-74. Epub 2007 Aug 1.
 
Babu Kunadian, Kunadian Vijayalakshmi, Andrew R. Thornley, Mark A. de Belder, Steven Hunter, Simon Kendall, Richard Graham, Michael Stewart, Jeetendra Thambyrajah, and Joel Dunning. Meta-Analysis of Valve Hemodynamics and Left Ventricular Mass Regression for Stentless Versus Stented Aortic Valves.
Ann. Thorac. Surg. July 2007; 84: 73 - 78.
 
Avlonitis VS, Shrivastava V, Wallis J, Hunter S, Goodwin A, Owens A, Kendall S.Thermoreactive clips for sternotomy closure in sternal dehiscence.
Ann Thorac Surg. 2008 Jun;85(6):2164-5;
 
Richardson L, Richardson M, Hunter S. Is a port-access mitral valve repair superior to the sternotomy approach in accelerating postoperative recovery?
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2008 Aug; 7(4):678-83. Epub 2008 Apr 11. PMID: 18407961
 
Richardson L, Hunter S. Is steroid therapy ever of benefit to patients in the intensive care unit going into septic shock.
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2008 Oct; 7(5):898-905. PMID: 18644822
 
Richardson L, Dunning J, Hunter S. Is intrathecal morphine of benefit to patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2009 Jan; 8(1):117-22. PMID: 18755789
 
Vaughan P, Bhatti F, Hunter S, Dunning J. Does biventricular pacing provide a superior cardiac output compared to univentricular pacing wires after cardiac surgery?
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2009 Jun; 8(6):673-8. PMID: 19329504
 
Bose AK, Ferguson J, Hunter S. Stake through the chest.
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2010 Jun;10(6):1054-5.
 
Newton S, Hunter S. What type of valve replacement should be used in patients with endocarditis?
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2010 Dec;11(6):784-8.
 
Salzberg SP, Van Bowen WJ, Driessen AH, Benussi S, Ylmaz A, Mariani M, Hyde J, Hunter S, Castella M. Letter to the editor.
J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2013 Aug;24(8):E12-3.
 
Steven Hunter
How to start a minimal access mitral valve program.
Ann Cardiothorac Surg 2013 Nov;2(6):774-8
 
Steven Hunter
The definition of success in atrial fibrillation ablation surgery.
Ann Cardiothorac Surg 2014 Jan;3(1):89-90
 
Filip Casselman, Jose Aramendi, Mohamed Bentala, Pascal Candolfi, Rudolf Coppoolse, Borut Gersak, Ernesto Greco,Paul Herijgers, Steven Hunter, Ralf Krakor, Mauro Rinaldi, Frank Van Praet, Geert Van Vaerenbergh, Joseph Zacharias Endoaortic Clamping Does Not Increase the Risk of Stroke in Minimal Access Mitral Valve Surgery: A Multicenter Experience.
Ann Thorac Surg 2015 Oct 7;100(4):1334-9

 

Additional Information

Contact Details

Telephone Number: 0114 271 4951

Secretary

Emily Edmunds - 0114 271 4951

 

 

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