About me
Brian Bethea, MD, is the Chief of Cardiac Surgery at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital and the regional chief of outreach for the Baltimore region. He is board certified in thoracic surgery.
Dr. Bethea’s clinical interests involve minimally invasive approaches to valvular and structural heart disease. This includes procedures such as TAVR, transcatheter mitral valve repair and replacement, transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement, and multi-arterial coronary revascularization.
Dr. Bethea is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
After earning his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Bethea completed his residency in general surgery, followed by a fellowship in cardiac surgery, at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Dr. Bethea has participated in nearly all major U.S. clinical trials for TAVR and has been involved in early feasibility trials for transcatheter mitral valve repair and replacement. Due to his reputation, excellent outcomes, and high surgical volumes, he was selected to participate in past trials for the mitral and tricuspid valves, including Tendyne™, MitraClip™, ENCIRCLE, and TRILUMINATE. He is the only surgeon in Maryland to offer patient the latter two options.
He is a physician educator and proctor, traveling throughout the world to teach valve repair and replacement techniques to other surgeons. He serves as selection chair for the Tendyne trial, overseeing all patient selection for the entire trial.
Dr. Bethea has presented his work internationally and is widely published in all the major cardiothoracic medical journals. He was among the first authors to be published on the topic of transcatheter mitral valve replacement–a rapidly evolving and expanding field.
Philosophy of Care
“I aim to provide personalized, tailored care to each of my patients. Whether it’s a minimally invasive procedure, an open procedure, or a hybrid approach, I find the method that will best fit the person, rather than the other way around. Since I have been involved in the development of so many new technologies, I can provide patients with all their options, so we can make an informed decision together. I wholeheartedly believe in a team approach to providing care, and view patients, their families, and their referring physicians as integral members of the care team.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiomyopathy
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Myocardial Infarction
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Reoperation, Coronary Artery Bypass
- Thoracic Aortic Dissection
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
- Acute Endocarditis
- Aneurysm Of Ascending Aorta
- Aneurysm Of Descending Aorta
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Arch Aneurysm
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiac Tamponade
- Cardiomyopathy
- Complications Of Procedures
- Congenital Heart Valve Defects
- Coronary Artery Blockage
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Heart Attack
- Heart Bypass Surgery
- Marfan Syndrome
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Mitral Valve Stenosis
- Myocardial Infarction
- Patent Foramen Ovale
- Pleural Effusion
- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Tachycardia
- Thoracic Aortic Dissection
- Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Ventricular Septal Defect
- Visceral Artery Aneurysm
Procedures I perform
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
- Aortic Root Replacement
- Aortic Rupture Treatment
- Aortic Valve Dilation
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Aortic Valve Supplement
- Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Cardiac Myxoma Excision
- Cardiac Output Assistance
- Cardiac Sampling And Pressure Measurement
- Cardiac Ultrasound
- Cardioversion
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Coronary Artery Stenting
- Destruction Of Conduction Mechanism
- Dilation Left Ventricle
- Endoscopy With Vein Harvest
- Excision Of Left Atrium
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Fluoroscopy Bilateral Common Carotid Arteries
- Heart Pacemaker Implantation
- Heart Transplant
- Heart Ultrasonography
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Treatment
- Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
- Intraaortic Balloon Pump Placement
- Laparoscopic Omentum Release
- Left Abdomen Muscle Excision
- Lobe Liver Repair
- Maze Procedure For Atrial Fibrillation
- Median Sternotomy
- Mesenteric Angiography
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty
- MRA With Contrast
- Occlusion Of Left Atrial Appendage
- Pacemaker Pulse Generator Insertion
- Pericardial Window Creation
- Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome Treatment
- Pulmonary Valve Replacement
- Reoperation, Coronary Artery Bypass
- Repair Perineum Muscle
- Repair Tricuspid Valve
- Right Internal Mammary Artery Excision
- Spinal Pump Removal
- Sternum Rigid Plate Internal Fixation
- Subclavian Artery Extirpation
- Thoracic Aneurysm Repair
- Thoracic Aorta Fluoroscopy
- Thoracic Aorta Restriction
- Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
- Transesophageal Echocardiography
- Transthoracic Echocardiography
- Tricuspid Valve Repair
- Tricuspid Valve Supplement With Synthetic Substitute
- Tumor Resection And Reconstruction
- Upper Artery Synthetic Substitute Removal
- Valvuloplasty
- Ventricular Restoration
- Ventricular Septum Supplement With Zooplastic Tissue
- Ventriculomyotomy
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CIGNA EPO
- Navigate
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- First Health PPO
- IH-HMO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Choice Fund PPO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Choice POS II
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- United Healthcare Choice
- CareFirst NASCO
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Medicare Direct
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Basic
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Core Essential (HMO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- IH-POS Plus
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- IH-Open HMO
- IH-PPO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- United Student Resources
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Network OA
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Optimum Choice
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- IH-Open POS II
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- POS OA
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Administrators
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- CIGNA PPO
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Police and Fire Clinic
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst EPO
- Medicare FFS
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Beech Street PPO
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- IH-Indemnity
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Choice POS
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- TRICARE for Life East
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Employee Health Plan
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- OA Plus
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Aetna HMO
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- IH-POS
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- TRICARE East Prime
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- IH-EPO Plus
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- TRICARE East Select
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- UHC Passport
- First Health PPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- HighMark
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Sentara Health
Videos
Education
Board Certification: ,
Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2008)
Residency: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2005)
Medical School: The University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (1999)
Awards
- Baltimore magazine, Top Doctor, 2021