Life After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Dr. Vinnie Bapat joined the Valve Science Center team in June 2020, bringing extensive expertise as a cardiothoracic surgeon and innovator in the treatment of heart valve disease. In recognition of his internationally renowned research and educational work in valvular heart disease, he was named the James R. and Judith A. Bradshaw Chair for the Valve Science Center in 2026. Dr. Bapat also serves as Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute, where he cares for patients directly.

Prior to joining the team, Dr. Bapat was a cardiac surgeon at New York Presbyterian Hospital and Professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. He also previously served as Professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Guys and St. Thomas’ Hospital, London and continues to hold that position as visiting Professor. 

Dr. Bapat earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgeon degrees, followed by Master of Surgery and Master of Cardiothoracic Surgery degrees, at the University of Bombay in India and King Edward Memorial Hospital. He completed his Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (FRCS) in cardiothoracic surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, U.K. He also completed an internship, three residencies and two fellowships at various institutions, including King Edward Memorial Hospital and University of Mumbai, Toronto General Hospital in Canada, and as part of rotations at institutions in the United Kingdom, including Guys and St. Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and Royal County Sussex Hospital in Brighton, U.K.

In addition to his clinical accomplishments, Dr. Bapat has been a collaborator among his peers in the world of transcatheter valves through the creation of two apps that are downloadable on mobile devices – Valve-in-Valve (VIV) Mitral and VIV Aortic. The apps provide imaging and clinical information, such as dimensions and characteristics of the various valve repair technologies and have been downloaded in 132 countries. Through these apps, physicians access data and clinical insights to determine the technology options based on their individual patient needs, including guidance and insights on the implant procedure. Notably, the Apps are free to download and are updated every year to provide up to date guidance.
 

Dr. Emmanouil S. Brilakis is Director of the Center for Complex Coronary Interventions at the Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute and Chairman of the Center for Coronary Artery Disease at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation.

After graduating from Lycée Léonin de Patissia, Dr. Brilakis earned his medical degree from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in Greece. He completed training in internal medicine, cardiovascular diseases, and interventional cardiology at the Mayo Clinic, where he also earned a Master’s in Clinical Research. He later obtained a PhD in Clinical Research from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. From 2004 to 2016, he served as Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories at the VA North Texas Health Care System and was a faculty member at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School from 2004 to 2018.

Dr. Brilakis leads a robust clinical research program focused on chronic total occlusion interventions, prevention and treatment of saphenous vein graft disease, lipid‑lowering therapies, management of procedural complications, intracoronary imaging, optimization of antiplatelet therapy following coronary stenting, and radiation safety in the catheterization laboratory. He has authored or co‑authored more than 600 peer‑reviewed manuscripts and is the author of The Manual of CTO Interventions (now in its third edition) and The Manual of PCI. He also created the Manual of CTO Interventions and Manual of PCI YouTube series.

Dr. Brilakis serves on the board of the Cardiovascular Innovations Foundation, is an Associate Editor for Circulation, and sits on the editorial boards of multiple journals and grant review committees. He is also an active international lecturer and procedural proctor. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC), the American Heart Association (FAHA), the European Society of Cardiology (FESC), and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (FSCAI).