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David P. Kuwayama, MD, MPA, MPhil

Associate Professor of Surgery ( Vascular)
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Additional Titles

Director of Aortic Surgery, Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy

Contact Info

Yale School of Medicine

330 Cedar Street, Boardman 204

New Haven, CT 06511

United States

About

Titles

Associate Professor of Surgery ( Vascular)

Director of Aortic Surgery, Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy

Biography

Dr. David Kuwayama is Director of Aortic Surgery in the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. He is distinguished nationally for his expertise in novel and minimally invasive treatment options for aortic aneurysms and dissections.

“It is an honor to work with the exceptional team of scientists and clinicians at Yale in our effort to provide the highest-quality care to aortic patients,” said Dr. Kuwayama.

In his leadership role at Yale, Dr. Kuwayama partners with faculty and clinical staff across the vascular and cardiac surgery specialties, overseeing the quality, safety and patient experience of complex, multidisciplinary aortic procedures.

He is lead or senior author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and has authored three book chapters on aortic pathology. He has been Investigator in seven industry-sponsored aortic device trials, and is the Sponsor-Investigator of an FDA-approved Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) for physician-modified fenestrated-branched endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Dr. Kuwayama completed his residency in General Surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and a fellowship in Vascular Surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. A humanitarian, he has worked extensively with Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, and holds a Master in Public Affairs from Princeton University.

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

Fellowship
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (2012)
Internship and Residency
The Johns Hopkins Hospital (2010)
MPA
Princeton University, International Relations (2008)
MD
Harvard Medical School (2002)
MPhil
University of Dublin - Trinity College, Medieval History (1998)
BS
University of Wisconsin - Madison, Biochemistry / Molecular Biology (1997)

Clinical Care

Overview

David Kuwayama, MD, MPA, is the director of Aortic Surgery in the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. He specializes in novel and minimally invasive treatments for aortic disease, including aneurysms and dissections.

“Aortic surgery has evolved to focus on minimally invasive technologies, ideally to fix aneurysms before they rupture,” Dr. Kuwayama says. “With new techniques, we can treat extensive, complex aneurysms that, previously, were only fixable with major invasive operations.”

One such technique, in which Dr. Kuwayama specializes, is a procedure called fenestrated aortic endografting. During this minimally invasive procedure, a tube-shaped graft (made of fabric supported by metal stents) is custom modified for a patient’s unique aortic anatomy, fixing the aneurysm while also maintaining blood flow where it is needed.

Through an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. Kuwayama is one of a handful of physicians in the country authorized to custom-build fenestrated endografts. “This technology has been a game-changer. It allows us to fix very challenging aneurysms that wouldn’t have been considered fixable in the past, often with just needle pokes,” he says.

In his aortic role, Dr. Kuwayama collaborates closely with colleagues from other disciplines at Yale, including cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiologists. “Bringing together a multidisciplinary team, we can really ensure that all the brightest minds at Yale are working together to do the best thing for each of our patients. It’s the right way–and the only way–to do it,” he says.

Growing up as the son of a pediatrician, Dr. Kuwayama always knew he wanted to become a physician. “I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my father, who inspired me,” he says. “But I was drawn to surgery because the idea of repairing the human body totally fascinated me.”

As a resident at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Kuwayama first planned to become a trauma surgeon, to help people in their moment of greatest need. “But I quickly learned that the most dangerous injuries were the vascular ones. Stopping the bleeding was always the top priority,” he says. His career path switched. “When an aorta ruptures, it can be just like a gunshot wound. Working quickly and confidently can make all the difference.”

Clinical Specialties

Vascular & Endovascular Surgery

Fact Sheets

Board Certifications

  • Vascular Surgery

    Certification Organization
    AB of Surgery
    Original Certification Date
    2014
  • Surgery General

    Certification Organization
    AB of Surgery
    Original Certification Date
    2010

Get In Touch

Contacts

Appointment Number
Mailing Address

Yale School of Medicine

330 Cedar Street, Boardman 204

New Haven, CT 06511

United States

Locations

  • Patient Care Locations

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