Procedure Volume Patient Data Patient Conditions Reviews General Payments Back to Top

Home > TN Providers > Cardiac Surgeons

Dr. Brian Lima, MD

(No ratings)

Specializes in: Cardiac Surgery and Thoracic Surgery

Duke University School of Medicine (2002)

Professional interests include: heart surgery, heart valve disease, coronary artery disease, and more.

4323 Carothers Parkway Suite 405
Franklin, TN 37067

(615) 875-5337

Dr. Brian Lima, MD is a cardiac surgeon in Nashville, TN specializing in cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery. He graduated from Duke University School of Medicine in 2002 and has 24 years of experience. Dr. Brian Lima, MD is affiliated with Vanderbilt Health and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC).

Office Locations

1215 21st Avenue South 5th Floor
Nashville, TN 37232

open_in_new

Vanderbilt Health

4323 Carothers Parkway Suite 405
Franklin, TN 37067

(615) 875-5337

open_in_new

Some issues Dr. Brian Lima, MD can help you with:

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It happens when the blood vessels carrying blood to the heart, called coronary arteries, narrow and harden. This occurs when cholesterol, a type of fat found in the blood, builds up to form plaque, which sticks to the inner walls of the arteries. As plaque accumulates, less blood can flow through the arteries, which may lead to the following:

Angina, which is chest pain that occurs when the heart does not receive enough blood flow.
Heart attack, which happens if the arteries leading to the heart are completely blocked.
Arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, which can develop if the heart does not have enough blood supply.
Heart failure, which may occur if a heart attack damages the heart and it becomes too weak to pump enough blood to the rest of the body.

Certain factors may increase risk for the disease, like smoking, lack of exercise, being overweight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. CAD tends to develop over decades, so it can go undetected until it has become quite severe. A diagnosis may be established using such tests as:

Electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the heart's electrical activity over a period of time. ECGs can detect whether there is enough blood flow to the heart or if a heart attack has occurred.
Echocardiogram (echo), which creates images of the heart using sound waves. Echos can show whether the heart is able to pump blood normally.
Stress tests, where an ECG or echo is combined with exercise, like riding a stationary bike or walking on a treadmill. This test is done to find out if the heart can function properly while performing a strenuous activity.

Treatments for the disease include medications such as vasodilators, like nitroglycerin, which dilates (widens) the coronary arteries. CAD may also be treated by a procedure called angioplasty with stent placement, where a balloon is inflated inside a diseased artery to flatten the plaque deposits against the artery walls, creating more room for blood to flow.

In some severe cases of the disease, multiple arteries may be blocked, and an open heart surgery called coronary artery bypass surgery may be necessary. This operation transplants a vessel from another part of the body to form a graft that goes past the narrowed arteries, thus enabling blood to flow around those arteries.

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“"(Hyperlipidemia) can lead to the harmful buildup of atherosclerotic plaque -- or fatty deposits -- in your arteries, which may eventually cause heart attacks and strokes," says Dr. Brian Lima,...”—"How to Lower Cholesterol Naturally", Washington Top News, November 2024

“"Many patients become too sick and die waiting for a heart," says Brian Lima, MD, surgical director of heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support at Medical City Heart Hospital.”—"Dallas Hospital Performs First New Heart Transplant Technique In Texas", CBS News, December 2021

“Leading heart transplant surgeon Dr. Brian Lima details his life story and demonstrates that the American dream is alive and well for those most willing to pursue it.”—"Story from Imperium Group: 20 reading suggestions for a new and improved you in 2021", USA Today, January 2021

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Brian Lima, MD treated as a cardiac surgeon in Nashville, TN during 2012 were cardiac procedures, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, open surgery and hospital care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Brian Lima, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	19
cardiac procedures	60
hospital care	26
inpatient care	26
open surgery	38
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	38

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Brian Lima, MD treated as a cardiac surgeon in Nashville, TN during 2013 were cardiac procedures, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, open surgery and hospital care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Brian Lima, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	41
cardiac procedures	122
hospital care	55
inpatient care	55
open surgery	82
thoracic (chest) imaging	18
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	82
X-rays	18

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD.

**Gender**
Male	86
Female	52

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	101
Black	0
Hispanic	21
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	56
From 75 to 84	43
85 and over	11
Less than 65	28

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2013

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	59
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	35
Heart Failure	57
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	33
Diabetes	46
Dementia	12
Cancer	22

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Brian Lima, MD treated as a cardiac surgeon in Nashville, TN during 2014 were thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, open surgery, cardiac procedures and bypass surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Brian Lima, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	14
cardiac procedures	28
open surgery	28
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	28

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD.

**Gender**
Male	45
Female	27

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	56
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	35
From 75 to 84	21
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2014

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	67
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	36
Heart Failure	72
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	32
Diabetes	46
Dementia	0
Cancer	17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Brian Lima, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	11

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	68
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	46
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2015

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	28
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	64
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	47
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	53
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Brian Lima, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	28

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD.

**Gender**
Male	46
Female	27

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	53
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	30
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	24

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2016

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	73
Asthma	27
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	41
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	51
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	29
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	22
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2017

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	72
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	35
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	35
Diabetes	60
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD.

**Gender**
Male	17
Female	11

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	16
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	15
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2018

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	43
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	75
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2019

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	52
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	71
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Brian Lima, MD treated as a cardiac surgeon in Nashville, TN during 2021 were thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, open surgery, cardiac procedures and bypass surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Brian Lima, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	11
cardiac procedures	22
doctor visit	16
open surgery	22
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	22

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD.

**Gender**
Male	17
Female	14

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	16
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	13
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2021

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	65
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2022

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	71
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	75
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	67
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Brian Lima, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Brian Lima, MD treated as a cardiac surgeon in Nashville, TN were cardiac procedures, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, open surgery and hospital care.

bypass surgery	21
cardiac procedures	58
doctor visit	18
hospital care	40
inpatient care	40
open surgery	42
thoracic (chest) imaging	18
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	42
X-rays	18

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD.

**Gender**
Male	21
Female	13

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	33
Hispanic	2
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	6
85 and over	1
Less than 65	5
65 to 74	21

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Brian Lima, MD treated were hypertension, ischemic heart disease, high cholesterol and heart failure.

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	67
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	63
Asthma	5
Osteoporosis	0
Heart Failure	65
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	53
Atrial Fibrillation	31
Cancer	3
Dementia	1

Education & Training

Dr. Brian Lima, MD graduated from Duke University School of Medicine in 2002. He completed residency at Duke University Medical Center. He is certified by the Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery - American Board of Thoracic Surgery and has a state license in Minnesota.

Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine (2002)

Residency: Duke University Medical Center (2009)

Board Certification: Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery - American Board of Thoracic Surgery (2013)

Licensed In: Minnesota

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Brian Lima, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Vanderbilt Health

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC)

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Brian Lima, MD does not have any reviews yet, be the first to leave a review of Dr. Brian Lima, MD here: Leave a Review

(No ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Brian Lima, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Thoratec Corporation	$12,528 HeartMate II $8,326	HeartMate III R and D $3,050	MCS Multiple Products General $630	CentriMag $519	MCS-Multiple Products-General $4
ABIOMED	$9,580 Impella $9,580
HeartWare, Inc.	$7,693 HeartWare Ventricular Assist System $7,693
Abbott Laboratories	$6,171 Circulatory Support $3,149	HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Dev $767	2ND GEN CENTRIMAG PRIMARY CONSOLE $538	THORATEC HEARTMATE 3 LVAS IMPLANT KIT $464	HeartMate $388	Other $865
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.	$3,972 Heart Valves $2,496	HeartWare HVAD $274	CoreValve Evolut $268	Aortic Stent Grafts $262	Transcatheter Valve Systems $171	Other $500
Other	$24,965 NephroCheck Test $3,824	Bioprosthetic Valve $3,000	HeartMate PHP $2,993	Paragonix SherpaPak Cardiac Transport System $2,500	Transcatheter Heart Valves $1,654	Other $10,994

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$29,826
Travel and Lodging	$17,781
Honoraria	$9,500
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$4,750
Consulting Fee	$2,394
Other	$658

Research Payments

Dr. Brian Lima, MD has received 29 research payments totaling $468,782.

Biography

Dr. Brian Lima works as a cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery. He is conversant in Spanish. Dr. Lima's areas of clinical interest consist of heart transplant, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and aortic aneurysm. He is professionally affiliated with Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). His education and training includes medical school at Duke University School of Medicine and residency at Duke University Medical Center. He has received the following distinction: Texas Rising Stars.

Select Year:

Dr. Brian Lima, MD

Office Locations

Some issues Dr. Brian Lima, MD can help you with:

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2013

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2014

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2015

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2016

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2021

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD in 2022

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brian Lima, MD From 2012 - 2022

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Ratings & Reviews

General Payments

Research Payments

Biography

Cardiac Surgeons in Nearby Locations

Other Providers in Nashville, TN