Mr Cha Rajakaruna
Consultant Cardiac Surgeon
MB ChB, MRCS (Eng & Edin), MD, FRCS (C-Th)
"I love working at the Spire because it is possible to offer innovative cutting edge heart surgery whilst ensuring high standards in patient safety and comfort."
I am a consultant heart surgeon with 12 years of experience in the specialty. I am an expert in minimally invasive heart valve surgery and aortic aneurysm surgery of the chest including TAVI. I also perform keyhole surgery for persistent arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation) that are resistant to catheter based treatments. I perform heart bypass (coronary artery bypass surgery) on the beating heart where applicable. I am able to offer the full range of adult heart procedures including stent operations to repair aneurysms in the chest.
I am on the specialist register of the General Medical council as an adult Cardiothoracic surgeon. I am part of the heart team at the Bristol heart institute that investigates, discusses and performs Transcatheter aortic valve implications (TAVI) via a blood vessel in the groin. In addition I perform aortic valve implantations through a key hole technique directly through the chest using the same technology routinely at the Spire Bristol.
Each year I perform 150- 180 heart operations. I have performed over 1,000 open heart surgeries with exceptional outcomes which are published. My specialist interest is surgery on young patients with abnormal aortic valve from birth (bicuspid aortic valve) or aneurysm surgery of the heart where the heart valve can be repaired without needing replacement with artificial (animal or metallic) heart valves, called the valve sparing aortic aneurysm repairs.
I am also a researcher in heart valve related research and hold the title of consultant senior lecturer at the University of Bristol. I am involved in numerous research projects both clinical and basic sciences and supervise a number of project that will lead to higher degrees. Member of the fund raising for the Heart appeal at the Above and Beyond charity.
I am a fulltime consultant cardiac surgeon at the Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol. Perform heart surgery in both the Infirmary and at the Spire Bristol.
Open heart operations over the years has become safer with most operations carrying a risk lower than 2% of major complications. The Spire Bristol has an exceptional pre-op and post op nursing care available including round the clock intensive care facility that boosts the safety records. After any heart surgery there is a resident heart surgery specialist doctor who provides resident care in addition to the resident medical officer.
Treatment information
Some of the principal treatments carried out by Mr Cha Rajakaruna at Spire include:
Cardiac surgery
- Coronary artery bypass surgery (heart bypass)
- Heart valve replacement
Other treatments
Aortic Aneurysm Repair Arterial Surgery Stent implantation Aortic Stent Grafts Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Left Atrial appendage occlusion Ablation of arrhythmia Endovascular Treatment.
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Important information about COVID-19 tests
COVID-19 testing or antibody tests are not available as a standalone service at Spire Bristol Hospital.
Additional information
Clinical interests
Qualification and professional memberships
Advanced Fellowship / Yale Aortic Institute, University of Yale School of Medicine, USA / 2013
Aortic and Endovascular Surgery
FRCS (C-Th) / Royal colleges of Surgeons UK and Ireland intercollegiate board exam / 2011
Completion of 8 years of Training in heart and lung Surgery
MD / University Of Bristol / 2008
Research Degree in Beating Heart Surgery
MRCS (Edin) / Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh / 2002
Primary Surgical Qualification Scottish board
MRCS / Royal College of Surgeons England / 2002
Primary Surgical Qualification
Mb ChB / University of Leicester / 1998
Primary Medical Qualification
Professional memberships
Society of Cardiothoracic surgeons UK and Ireland
Professional leadership
Surgical lead in TAVI and minimally invasive aortic valve surgery Bristol Heart Institute
Clinical lead for Cardiac Surgery Nurse practitioner programme at the Bristol Heart Institute
Educational supervisor for surgical trainees in Heart Surgery Severn Deanery.
Current NHS posts
Consultant Cardiac Surgeon at the Bristol Heart Institute
Senior Lecturer University of Bristol
Contact information
| Website | https://www.ctsnet.org/home/crajakaruna |
| Private secretary | Kate Herbert |
| Private secretary telephone | 07495 139 166 |
| Private secretary email | cha.rajakaruna@nhs.net |