About me
Christian Shults, MD, is a cardiac surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He is the regional director of cardiac aortic surgery, surgical ablation, and innovation, as well as the fellowship director for the complex aortic structural heart program. He is also an assistant professor of surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. Shults is board certified in general and thoracic surgery.
Dr. Shults specializes in the treatment of complex aortic disease, structural heart disease, valvular disease and redo valves, coronary artery disease, and atrial fibrillation through the use of open, endovascular, minimally invasive, and transcatheter treatment therapies. In particular, he treats patients with aneurysms of the aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending thoracic aorta, and thoracoabdominal aorta, in addition to anomalous coronaries, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, endocarditis.
As a national proctor for the Convergent Procedure for minimally invasive treatment of atrial fibrillation, Dr. Shults has performed one of the highest volumes in the country and gives lectures nationwide to other physicians about the procedure.
Dr. Shults is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery, and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Shults recently served as interim chair of Cardiac Surgery between 2019 and 2021.
After receiving his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine, Dr. Shults completed a residency in general surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital-Washington Hospital Center. During this time, he spent a year at Harvard Medical School for a research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he focused on developing novel strategies to treat patients in hemorrhagic shock. He then returned to MedStar Washington Hospital Center as chief resident of general surgery. After this, Dr. Shults continued his specialty training in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Emory University, where he completed a three-year specialized fellowship focusing on revascularization, complex aortic disease, valvular and transcatheter valvular therapies, as well as all other aspects of cardiac surgery. Next, he traveled to Leipzig, Germany for a visiting fellowship in minimally invasive/transcatheter aortic valve repair at the University of Leipzig Heart Hospital. He returned to the U.S. for an aortic surgery mini-fellowship at the University of Texas-Houston Memorial Hermann Hospital and an endovascular mini-fellowship at the Arizona Heart Hospital Department of Heart & Vascular Surgery.
Dr. Shults takes interest in healthcare reform, healthcare economics, and innovations for minimally invasive or transcatheter therapies. His research efforts include treatment outcomes for complex aortic disease, valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease. Dr. Shults is currently enrolling patients in several unique clinical trials, including the use of GORE® TAG® TBE, thoracic endoprosthesis in the treatment of lesions of the aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta; GORE® TAMBE, thoracoabdominal branch endoprosthesis for the treatment of thoracoabdominal and pararenal aortic aneurysms; NeoChord artificial chordae delivery system, a mitral valve repair technique for patients with severe mitral regurgitation; a new stent for the endovascular treatment of arch aneurysms; Allergan/Botox® study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Botox for the treatment of atrial fibrillation; as well as several trials involving the latest in transcatheter valve technology. Additionally, he is principal investigator for the Bolton Medical acute complicated type B thoracic aortic dissection clinical trial.
Philosophy of Care
“My goal is to deliver the best solution possible to my pat
Clinical areas of focus
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Aortic Valve Surgery
- Atrial Appendage Closure
- Atrial Septal Defect Closure
- Mitral Valve Repair
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abnormal Breathing
- Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
- Acute Endocarditis
- Acute Ischemic Heart Diseases
- Acute Myocardial Infarction
- Advanced Heart Failure
- Advanced Heart Failure (ADHF)
- Advanced Heart Failure (AHF)
- Amyloidosis
- Aneurysm Of Ascending Aorta
- Angina Pectoris
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Aneurysm Rupture
- Aortic Arch Aneurysm
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Valve Disorders
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
- Atherosclerosis
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Cardiac Prosthetic Device Complications
- Cardiac Tamponade
- Cardiomyopathy
- Circulatory System Complications
- Coarctation Of The Aorta
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Complications Of Cardiac Surgery
- Complications Of Heart Transplant
- Complications Of Procedures
- Complications Of Transplanted Organs And Tissue
- Congenital Heart Valve Defects
- Congenital Malformation Syndromes Affecting Multiple Systems
- Congenital Malformations Of Great Arteries
- Congenital Malformations Of Great Veins
- Congenital Malformations Of Heart
- Congenital Malformations Of Pulmonary And Tricuspid Valves
- Coronary Artery Blockage
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Heart Disease
- Heart Transplant Complications
- Heart Transplant Rejection
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Infectious Endocarditis
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Ischemic Heart Disease
- Marfan Syndrome
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Mitral Valve Stenosis
- Myocardial Infarction
- Myocardial Infarction Complications
- Nonrheumatic Mitral Valve Disease
- Pericardium Diseases
- Presence Of Cardiac And Vascular Implants
- Pulmonary Valve Disorders
- Pulmonary Valve Endocarditis
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Pulmonary Vessel Disease
- Rheumatic Fever With Heart Involvement
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Rheumatic Heart Diseases
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Thoracic Aortic Dissection
- Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm
- Tricuspid Stenosis
Procedures I perform
- Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
- Aneurysm Repair
- Aortic Root Replacement
- Aortic Stenosis Treatment
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Aortic Valve Supplement
- Aortic Valve Surgery
- Atrial Appendage Closure
- Atrial Septal Defect Closure
- Atrial Septal Defect Repair
- Cardiac Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
- Cardiac Ablation For Ventricular Tachycardia
- Cardiac Myxoma Excision
- Cardiac Surgery For Congenital Heart Defects
- Cardiac Surgery For Congenital Heart Disease
- Cardiac Surgery For Heart Transplantation
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Device Implantation For Heart Failure
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Heart Failure Treatment
- Intraaortic Balloon Pump Placement
- Maze Procedure For Atrial Fibrillation
- Microvascular Transplant Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty
- Mitral Valve Reconstruction
- Mitral Valve Repair
- Pulmonary Valve Reconstruction
- Pulmonary Valve Replacement
- Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
- Tricuspid Valve Reconstruction
- Tricuspid Valve Repair
- Valvuloplasty
- Ventricular Fibrillation Treatment
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
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- OA Plus
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- First Health PPO
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Medicare FFS
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- First Health PPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Choice POS
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- United Healthcare Choice
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- IH-POS Plus
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- TRICARE East Prime
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- CIGNA Indemnity
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- IH-Indemnity
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Medicare Direct
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- BlueChoice Open Access
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Choice POS II Open Access
- POS OA
- Navigate
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Aetna VA Exchange
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Optimum Choice
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- CIGNA PPO
- Aetna Basic
- CareFirst EPO
- Sentara Health
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- IH-EPO Plus
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Beech Street PPO
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- IH-HMO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Employee Health Plan
- IH-Open HMO
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Network OA
- Choice Fund PPO
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- United Student Resources
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- UHC Passport
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- IH-PPO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- IH-POS
- CareFirst NASCO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- TRICARE East Select
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Choice POS II
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- HighMark
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CIGNA EPO
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- CareFirst Administrators
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- TRICARE for Life East
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- IH-Open POS II
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
Fellowship: Emory University School of Medicine (2013)
Residency: MedStar Washington Hospital Center (2010)
Medical School: Georgetown University Medical Center (2004)
Awards
- Washingtonian Top Doc 2025