A Visionary Surgeon Who Transforms Lives Through Heart Valve Surgery
“If you want to be happy, do what you love. And if you want to be successful, love what you do.”
In the past, heart valve surgery was considered one of the most complex and high-risk procedures—so much so that it was comparable to teetering on a bridge between life and death. Yet, through the relentless dedication of pioneering surgeons, the field has advanced, making heart surgery increasingly viable and successful.
MedPark Story had the privilege of speaking with Dr.Taweesak Chotivatanapong, a distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon who has dedicated over four decades to perfecting heart valve surgery. A true innovator, he enhances surgical techniques and creates groundbreaking medical devices. Beyond his surgical expertise, he is a mentor who tirelessly imparts knowledge and skills to the next generation of cardiac surgeons, ensuring that rays of hope continue to shine for countless heart patients.
From One Heart That Stopped to a Lifelong Dedication to Every Beating Heart
“Even now, just thinking about it still makes me sad. Deep down, I was hoping someone would walk up to me and say: Your father is out of danger.”
The doctor recalls the heartbreaking days during the hospitalization of his father. Every night, he quietly stayed by his side, holding onto the hope that his condition would improve, and they could return home together. But then, his heart stopped beating. The moment of resuscitation became more than just an indelible image; it was the driving force behind his unwavering dedication to saving them.
“In that moment, I vowed to become a doctor. So that one day, if I ever faced a situation like the one I had endured, I could walk up to a patient’s family and say: I saved your loved one.”
He chose the path of cardiothoracic surgery, a field in dire need of more specialists and likely the most suitable for my style.
“It must be cardiology! The slow-paced working tempo never suited me. I thrive in high-stakes situations and treatments where results are immediate and tangible. It keeps me completely engaged. Even as a child, I thought outside the box. Whenever my father bought me something, I would take it apart and assemble it back together. And he never once chided or stopped me. That freedom to explore nurtured my creativity from an early age.”
Harnessing his creativity, he invented the Autologous Pericardium Ring, a groundbreaking innovation for heart valve repair that earned him the Outstanding Inventor Award from the Ministry of Public Health. Even today, he remains dedicated to pioneering new surgical techniques. Most recently, in October 2024, Stanford University in the United States invited him to lecture as a visiting professor.
The Miracle Surgeon: Pioneering Heart Valve Repair
Throughout his career, he has treated countless patients. But one case remains particularly dear to his heart—a 16-year-old girl who was the first patient he performed heart valve repair after returning from his studies in Australia.
“She was born with an atrial septal defect and a leaky heart valve. At the time, the standard treatment was to close the septal defect and replace the valve with a mechanical prosthetic valve. At that time, heart valve repair was not as advanced as today, and this approach carried severe long-term consequences. First, she would need lifelong anticoagulant therapy. Her life expectancy would be half. She would be unable to have children. Worse still, she would face a high risk of blood clots, stroke, disability, or even death. But with the techniques I had learned, I could instead repair her valve.”
Applying advanced surgical techniques learned abroad, he successfully treated the patient, sparing her severe complications. For more than five years, he searched tirelessly for her. And at last, he had the chance to meet her again.
“The moment we saw each other, we embraced and cried. It was overwhelming. The girl I once operated on had grown into a vibrant woman, leading a normal life. She had two children and was thriving. The heart valve I repaired over 30 years ago remained intact, without any leakage. Knowing that my dedication and perseverance could correct what nature had left imperfect—that I can restore hope and change lives is my greatest pride.”
Train the Trainer: Empowering Heart Surgeons in Regional Hospitals
“I have seen patients, and their families travel long distances from rural areas to seek treatment in Bangkok, enduring great hardship along the way. I made it my goal that once I had mastered my skills, I would share my knowledge with hospitals in the provinces, bringing advanced care closer to their homes so people would not have to endure such difficulties.”
Dr. Taweesak, apart from being a leading heart and thoracic surgeon in Thailand, holds several prestigious positions, such as the President of the Thai Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the founder and chairman of the Heart Care Foundation. One of his most notable roles is as the founder of the “Train the Trainer” program, designed to share knowledge and heart valve repair techniques with doctors across Thailand. Currently, the program has encompassed 12 provinces and continues to expand regionally.
“I launched the International Fellowship program, which has trained many doctors from various countries. The first female CVT surgeon from Laos is one of the successes of this initiative, along with three doctors from Japan, a doctor from China, and Indonesia who had come to study with us. This program has created an ever-expanding network of heart and thoracic surgeons.”
Be Prepared, Remain Resilient, and Embrace Failure as a Steppingstone
The key to success in patient care is perseverance and determination. A remarkable example of this is a heart valve surgery performed on a 96-year-old patient—an extremely challenging case that was not treatable by any other means. However, through thorough preparation by the medical team and the patient’s will to live, despite spending six days in the ICU, the patient refused to give up, and together, they overcame the obstacles and succeeded.
“I never give up easily. If there is a way to fight, I will explain it to the patient and help them fight alongside me. In the case of the 96-year-old patient, others said it was impossible, but I believed I could do it, and the patient believed he could fight. After all, this is his life.”
Dr. Taweesak also leaves a message for everyone facing daunting life lessons.
“When you embark on something new, failure is inevitable because you do not know how to do it yet. But once you learn from your failures, you will succeed. Today's success guarantees future challenges and setbacks. Do not fear it; it is a cycle that always strengthens us. Failure is not something to be fearful of. Today’s failure is a crucial stepping stone for future success. We must accept it, understand it, but never give up.”