Professional profile
Prof U O von Oppell qualified at the University of the Witwatersrand and held the Chris Barnard Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Cape Town from 1993 to 2001, when he relocated to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom. He was appointed to an honorary personal chair of Cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Cardiff, Wales in October 2004.
Research and special clinical interests include myocardial protection, spinal cord protection during aortic surgery, arrhythmia surgery, mitral valve reparative surgery, thoracic aortic aneurysm surgery and minimally invasive approaches to cardiac surgery.
He was chairman of the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of South Africa from 1992 - 1995, and president of the Southern Africa Cardiac Society 1998 – 1999.
He has more than 150 publications in both local and international journals and books on various topics related to cardiothoracic surgery, delivered numerous scientific presentations at professional congresses and is a reviewer for and on the editorial board of a number of professional journals.
Hospital and Trust activities
Lead consultant cardiothoracic surgeon
Clinical Excellence Award
National: Bronze (2006)
Professional affiliations and memberships
- Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland
- European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgeons
- Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of South Africa
Research interests
My research and clinical focus is in adult cardiac surgery with specific interests in mitral valve repair surgery, arrhythmia surgery, & aortic surgery.
