Biography

David McCormack is a Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Waikato Cardiothoracic Unit & Honorary Senior Lecturer at The University of Auckland with a clinical interest and expertise in complex aortic surgery.

Dr McCormack completed his Bachelor of Science with Honours at King’s College, the University of London before completing a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with a Distinction at the University of London.

He has developed extensive skills in the management of ischaemic heart disease and heart valve surgery. He has a keen interest in the generation and implementation of technology to advance surgical practice, healthcare delivery and innovate research.

Dr McCormack completed formal training in Cardiothoracic Surgery leading centres in Central London including Barts Heart Centre, Guy’s Hospital, The London Chest Hospital, and Hammersmith Hospital to list a few.

Dr McCormack contributes to numerous medical societies including the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain & Ireland, European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery and Faculty of Surgical Trainers at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh.

Procedures & Conditions

Procedures Performed
  • Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
  • Aortic Valve Surgery
  • Mitral Valve Surgery
  • Aortovascular Surgery
Conditions Treated
  • Aortic Valve Disease
  • Mitral Valve Disease
  • Ischaemic Heart Disease

Experience

  • Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon
    Waikato Cardiothoracic Unit Present
  • Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon
    Braemar Hospital Present
  • Honorary Senior Lecturer
    Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland Present

Memberships & Awards

Professional Memberships and Affiliations
  • Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (MFSTEd)
  • Royal College of England (FRCS Eng (CTh))
  • Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCS Ed (CTh))
  • Royal College of Surgeons of England (MRCS)
  • European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)
  • Society of Thoracic Surgeons (SCTS)
  • Australia and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS)
  • Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ)
Awards
  • 2018Sustaining Excellence in Patient Safety Award, Waikato District Health Board
  • 2016Ethicon Travelling Fellowship, Ethicon - Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain and Ireland
  • 2016ASIT Cardiothoracic Research Prize - Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain and Ireland, Association of Surgeons in Training
  • 2016ASIT National Surgical Education and Training Prize, T-Log / Association of Surgeons in Training
  • 2016Patient Safety Awards Finalist - Technology & IT to Improve Patient Safety, Patient Safety Awards, The ROQAS Project
  • 2012Transforming Patient Care Using Technology Finalist, British Medical Journal Awards

Research & Publications

Publications

1. Gimpel D, McCormack DJ, El-Gamel A Complex coarctation of the aorta requiring a third redo operation Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery. Epub 2018. PMID: 29688517

2. McCormack DJ, Anderson JR. Empyema Thoracis. Surgery 35(5) 243–246

3. Asfour L, Asfour V, McCormack D, Attia R. In surgeons performing cardiothoracic surgery is sleep deprivation significant in its impact on morbidity or mortality? Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. e-pub 2014. PMID: 24879643

4. Corfield L, McCormack DJ, Reidy J, Bell R, Taylor P. The Role of the Femorofemoral Crossover Graft in Acute Lower Limb Ischaemia due to Acute Type B Aortic Dissection. Vascular. 2014;22(2):121-6. PMID: 23512901

5. Elshiekh MAF, Lo TTH, Shipolini AR, McCormack DJ. Does muscle sparing thoracotomy as opposed to posterolateral thoracotomy result in better recovery? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg (2013) Jan;16(1):60-7. PMID: 23049082

6. Jones CD, Cummings IG, Shipolini AR, McCormack DJ. Does surgery improve prognosis in patients with small-cell lung carcinoma? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg. 2012 Nov 20.PMID 23169878

7. Gupta P, McCormack DJ, Szczklik M, Ambekar S, Lall KS. Infected calcified Homograft Root; A sutureless solution. Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 2013 May;95(5):1789-91. PMID: 23608263

8. CormackF, Shipolini AR; Awad W; Richardson C, McCormack DJ, Underwood M, Baldeweg T, Hogan AM. A Meta-Analysis of Cognitive Outcome following Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews –2012 Oct;36(9):2118- 29. PMID: 22732162 • Sepehripour AH, Lo TTH, McCormack DJ, Shipolini AR. Can pregnant women be safely placed on cardiopulmonary bypass? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg (2012) 15(6):1063-70. PMID: 22761116

9. Vulliamy PE, McCormack DJ, Szczeklik M, Lall KS. Coarctation repair mimicking acute aortic dissection. European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery (2012) 42(6):1055. PMID: 23138588

10. McCormack DJ, Pabla R, Hilal-Babu M, Dykes L, Dales, P, Archbold RA, Pilling M, Clifford A, Cormack F, Shipolini A, Hogan AM. Undiagnosed sleep apnea syndrome in patients with acute myocardial infarction: potential importance of the STOP-BANG screening tool for clinical practice. International Journal of Cardiology (2012) 155(2):342- 343. PMID: 22240758

11. Malik HT, Sepehripour AH, Shipolini AR, McCormack DJ. Is there a suitable method of anticoagulation in pregnant patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg (2012)15(3):484-8. PMID: 22634472

12. Sepehripour AH, Lo TTH, McCormack DJ, Shipolini AR. Is there benefit in smoking cessation prior to cardiac surgery? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg (2012) 15(4):726-32. PMID: 22761116

13. Attaran S, McCormack DJ, Pilling J, Harrison-Phipps K. Which stages of Thymoma benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy post thymectomy? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg (2012)15(2):273-5. PMID: 22552797

14. Pucher PH, Cummings IG, Shipolini AR, McCormack DJ. Is anticoagulation required with usage of intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg (2012) 15(1):136- 139. PMID: 22495506

15. Visagan R, McCormack DJ, Shipolini AR, Jarral OA. Are intracostal sutures better than pericostal sutures for closing a thoracotomy? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg. (2012)14(6):807-815. PMID: 22431654

16. Dabare D, Lo TTH, McCormack DJ, Kung VWS. What is the role of screening in the management of abdominal aortic aneurysms? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg (2012) 14(4): 399-405. PMID: 22268069

17. Kaleda VI, McCormack DJ, Shipolini AR. Does Posterior Pericardiotomy Reduce the Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg (2012) 14(4): 384-389. PMID: 22235005

18. Sepehripour AH, Jarral OJ, Shipolini AR, McCormack DJ. Does a ‘no-touch’ technique result in better vein patency? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg (2011) 13(6): 626-630. PMID: 21908888

19. Adebibe M, Jarral OA, Shipolini AR, McCormack DJ. Does video assisted mediastinoscopy have better lymph node yield and safety profile than conventional mediastinoscopy? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg (2012) 14(3): 316-319. PMID: 22159246

20. Kung VC, Jarral OA, Shipolini AR, McCormack DJ. Is it safe to perform coronary angiography during acute endocarditis? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg (2011); 13(2):158-167. PMID: 21602418 • McCormack AC, Jarral OA, Shipolini AR, McCormack DJ. Does the nerve of Kuntz exist? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg (2011) 13(2): 175-178. PMID: 21602419

21. Jarral OA, McCormack DJ, Ibrahim S, Shipolini A. Should surgeons scrub with chlorhexidine or iodine prior to surgery? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg (2011) 12:1017-1021. PMID: 21362729

22. Lo T, Jarral OA, Shipolini A, McCormack DJ. Should a patent foramen ovale found incidentally during isolated coronary surgery be closed? Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg (2011)12:794-798. PMID: 21345819

23. Corfield L, Speirs A, McCormack DJ, Waltham M. Time of Flight Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Trap for the Unwary. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 2010; 39 (5): 659

24. Abbas A, Richmond N, McCormack DJ, Theva B, Reddy S, Davies C, Pilling J. A 27-Year-Old Man Presenting With Acute Chest Pain And Dyspnoea, Chest 2009;135:1684-1687. PMID: 19497905

25. Singh G, McCormack DJ, Roberts D. Readmission and overstay after day case nasal surgery. BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders 2004,4:2. PMID: 15500692

26. Cohen SR, McCormack DJ, Youkhana A, Wall R. Bacterial colonization of stethoscopes and the effect of cleaning. J. Hosp. Infect. 2003; 55 (3): 236-237. PMID: 14572494

27. McCormack DJ SCTS Ethicon Fellowship 2016/17: Lions, Hobbits and Earthquakes. A compelling Journey to Middle Earth. SCTS Bulletin (August 2017)

28. McCormack DJ, Kendall S, Cooper G Patrick Magee Medal – Encouraging Student Engagement in Cardiothoracic Surgery. SCTS Bulletin (December 2015)

29. Bridgeman A, Holland L, Brewster O, McElnay P, McCormack DJ, Coonar A. Encouraging Students into Cardiothoracic Surgery. SCTS Bulletin (December 2015)

30. Murphy M and McCormack DJ Cardiothoracic Surgery Report. Association of Surgeons in Training Yearbook (2013)


More publications available upon request. 

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Presentations

  • Closing the loop: Post-operative dual antiplatelet therapy following coronary artery bypass grafting. RACS 87th Annual Scientific Congress with the American College of Surgeons and ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting. Sydney (May 2018)
  • Cannulation strategies in Complex Aortovascular Disease. 27th Annual Conference of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia. Melbourne (November 2017) Invited Speaker
  • Triple Valve Surgery: Predicting and Preventing Mortality. 27th Annual Conference of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia. Melbourne (November 2017)
  • Mortality from Cardiac Arrest after Cardiac Surgery – What can be done? 27th Annual Conference of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia. Melbourne (November 2017)
  • Readmission Following Cardiac Surgery: Does Inpatient Recovery Predict Readmission? 27th Annual Conference of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia. Melbourne (November 2017)
  • Sound Pressure Levels in Cardiac Recovery Units – An Invisible Harm. 27th Annual Conference of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia. Melbourne (November 2017)
  • The Recovery from Operation Quality Assessment System (ROQAS): A Novel Technology for the Real-Time Assessment of Recovery Following Cardiac Surgery. 27th Annual Conference of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia. Melbourne (November 2017)
  • UK National Induction Programme for Higher Cardiothoracic Surgical Training – An Experience of Immersive Simulation Training. 27th Annual Conference of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia. Melbourne (November 2017)
  • Carcinoid Heart Disease: A Simple Pulmonary Valve Solution. 27th Annual Conference of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia. Melbourne (November 2017)
  • Post-Operative Cardiothoracic X-ray Protocols Deliver Low Clinical Yield and Results that are Not Cost Effective. 27th Annual Conference of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia. Melbourne (November 2017)
  • Single Clamping During Off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Reduces Post-Operative Stroke. 27th Annual Conference of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia. Melbourne (November 2017)
  • Extended Endarterectomy is a Treatment Option for Diffuse Inoperable Left Sided Coronary Artery Disease. 27th Annual Conference of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia. Melbourne (November 2017)
  • Microsurgical Dexterity Tuition of Students and House Surgeons: A Necessary and Worthwhile Investment. 27th Annual Conference of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia. Melbourne (November 2017)
  • Inoperable left sided coronary artery disease: Extended Endarterectomy as a treatment option. 12th International congress on Innovations in Coronary Artery Disease. Venice (October 2017)
  • Single cross clamp application during off pump coronary artery bypass grafting reduces postoperative stroke. 12th International congress on Innovations in Coronary Artery Disease. Venice (October 2017)
  • Improving outcomes following cardiac surgery: implementation of the CALS protocol. CREF. San Diego (August 2017)
  • Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery – An Audit of Contemporaneous Practice. CREF. San Diego (August 2017)
  • Post-operative cardiothoracic x-ray protocols deliver low clinical yield and results that are not cost effective. CREF. San Diego (August 2017)
  • PEARS Procedure in Severe Pectus Excavatum. CREF. San Diego (August 2017)
  • Operative anatomy of the aortic valve. Structural Heart Disease Asia Pacific. Auckland (June 2017). Invited Speaker
  • Operative anatomy of the mitral and tricuspid valves. Structural Heart Disease Asia Pacific. Auckland (June 2017). Invited Speaker
  • Sound Pressure Levels in Cardiac Recovery Units. An Invisible Harm. 30th Meeting of the European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Barcelona, Spain (October 2016)
  • Risk factors for respiratory tract infection following cardiac surgery: Insights from the ROQAS investigators. Scandinavian Association of Thoracic Surgery. Reykjavik, Iceland (August 2016)
  • Investigating readmission to the cardiac surgical unit. Scandinavian Association of Thoracic Surgery. Reykjavik, Iceland (August 2016)
  • Haemodynamic Performance of the St Jude Medical Trifecta aortic bioprosthesis – The training perspective. 60th Annual Meeting of Indian Association of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons (February 2014)
  • Haemodynamic Performance of the St Jude Medical Trifecta aortic bioprosthesis in young patients under 65.60th Annual Meeting of Indian Association of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons (February 2014)
  • Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery (MIAVR) Using St. Jude Medical Trifecta aortic bioprosthesis – An assessment of midterm haemodynamic function.International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS), Prague, Czech Republic (June 2013)
  • SJM Trifecta Aortic bioprosthesis – An assessment of midterm haemodynamic function. 59th Annual Meeting of Indian Association of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons, Mumbai, India (February 2013)

More publications available upon request. 

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