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Dr. Christian Shults, MD

Accepting New Patients

(639 Ratings)

Specializes in: Cardiac Surgery

Georgetown University School of Medicine (2004)

Professional interests include: ulcers, epicardial lead placement, mediastinoscopy, and more.

110 Irving Street NW 1st Floor
Washington, DC 20010

1-855-970-2196

Dr. Christian Shults, MD is a cardiac surgeon in Washington, DC specializing in cardiac surgery. He graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 2004 and has 20 years of experience. Dr. Christian Shults, MD is affiliated with MedStar Washington Hospital Center, MedStar Health and MEDSTAR HEART INSTITUTE LLC.

Office Locations

Address:

110 Irving Street NW 1st Floor
Washington, DC 20010

Some issues Dr. Christian Shults, MD can help you with:

Lung Issues

Every cell in the body requires oxygen to function and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product. In order to keep the body's tissues constantly supplied with fresh oxygen and to keep waste from building up, the lungs pump air in and out, even while sleeping or unaware. Unfortunately, diseases and disorders affecting the lungs are some of the most common medical problems afflicting people around the world. Some of the most common lung problems include asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and lung cancer.

Asthma is a chronic disease where swollen, inflamed airways make it hard to breathe. It is often brought on by specific triggers. While asthma is a common condition, affecting millions of people, it can also be serious and even fatal in severe cases. Treatment involves avoiding triggers and using inhaled corticosteroid medications.

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the name given to two illnesses that both cause difficulty breathing: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema, the air sacs of the lungs become damaged, while with bronchitis they become clogged with mucus. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It is almost always caused by breathing irritants into the lungs, such as smoking or heavy pollution.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or fungi. Most healthy people recover from pneumonia in a week or two, but for some people pneumonia can be fatal. There are treatments available for pneumonia, but the best treatment is to prevent getting sick in the first place. People who are at risk should make sure they get a flu shot every year. There is also a vaccine available for the type of bacteria that causes pneumonia.

Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells inside the lung grow into a tumor, destroying healthy tissue. Because it is so difficult to detect lung cancer in early stages when it has few symptoms, it is the deadliest form of cancer, responsible for the most cancer deaths both in the U.S. and worldwide. Most lung cancer is caused by exposure to tobacco smoke, but between 10-15% of cases are not linked to smoking.

Some problems with the lungs are minor and are not cause for concern. However if symptoms have lasted for a month or more, even if they are minor, it is worth checking with a healthcare professional. A cough, shortness of breath, or excess mucus production that lingers for weeks are all worth getting looked at.

Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC)

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is a device implantation procedure that reduces the risk of stroke for patients who have atrial fibrillation, a condition in which the heart beats out of rhythm. Atrial fibrillation causes blood to collect in the left atrial appendage, a small sac located in the top left chamber of the heart. The blood that collects in this appendage can form clots and cause stroke when pumped out of the heart.

To implant the device, a long, flexible tube, called a catheter, is inserted into a large vein in the groin and advanced to the heart. Once the tube reaches the left side of the heart, X-ray is used to guide a thinner catheter into the left atrial appendage. The tiny device is then passed through the tube and into the appendage. When the doctor has made sure it is in the right place, she takes the catheter out, and the procedure is completed.

This minimally invasive procedure usually requires a hospital stay of at least one day. Normal activities may be resumed within a few days. About 45 days following implantation, a test will be done to determine whether the device has closed the left atrial appendage. Check-ups have to be performed every year to make sure the device is in place.

Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery, using a tiny opening to get inside the body instead of making a large cut. It uses small tools attached to a thin robotic arm, which is controlled by the surgeon. Robotic surgery may be referred to by the specific kind of robot that is used. The most advanced robot currently in use is called the da Vinci, and surgery using it is sometimes called da Vinci surgery.

There are many benefits to robotic surgery, both for the patient and the surgeon. Robotic surgery allows for more precise movements and increased control during very delicate surgical procedures. This makes performing surgery accurately much easier for surgeons and reduces fatigue. The smaller 'hand' of the robot can enter the body via a much smaller opening, which reduces the risk of infection and scarring and leads to a faster recovery. The robotic hands also contain tiny moveable cameras among their tools, giving surgeons a much closer view of the procedure than would be possible with traditional surgery.

In The News

“"Hybrid A-F Convergent Therapy is a breakthrough treatment that allows us to deliver therapy from both inside and outside the heart, improving the effectiveness," said Christian Shults, a cardiac...”—"New procedure offers first FDA-approved treatment for persistent AFib patients", Washington Top News, November 2021

bypass surgery	14
cardiac procedures	109
doctor visit	6
minimally invasive procedures	40
open surgery	27
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	27
vascular procedures	39

**Gender**
Male	62
Female	61

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	93
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	39
From 75 to 84	49
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	20
Chronic Kidney Disease	61
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	39
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	30
Diabetes	46
Dementia	15
Cancer	23

bypass surgery	46
cardiac procedures	289
doctor visit	20
minimally invasive procedures	98
open surgery	91
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	91
vascular procedures	97

**Gender**
Male	278
Female	240

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	346
Black	132
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	180
From 75 to 84	184
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	19
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	60
Asthma	26
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	42
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	34
Diabetes	47
Dementia	17
Cancer	15

bypass surgery	40
cardiac procedures	307
doctor visit	33
minimally invasive procedures	155
open surgery	79
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	79
vascular procedures	167

**Gender**
Male	171
Female	123

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	198
Black	82
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	101
From 75 to 84	108
85 and over	70
Less than 65	15

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	15
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	64
Asthma	30
Osteoperosis	4
Atrial Fibrilation	36
Heart Failure	73
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	28
Diabetes	50
Dementia	21
Cancer	17

ablation	11
bypass surgery	39
cardiac procedures	381
doctor visit	34
minimally invasive procedures	157
open surgery	77
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	89
vascular procedures	157

**Gender**
Male	161
Female	150

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	225
Black	72
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	117
From 75 to 84	111
85 and over	60
Less than 65	23

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	14
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	61
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	36
Heart Failure	70
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	26
Diabetes	46
Dementia	18
Cancer	19

ablation	11
bypass surgery	58
cardiac procedures	459
doctor visit	70
minimally invasive procedures	185
open surgery	115
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	127
vascular procedures	184

**Gender**
Male	211
Female	151

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	254
Black	84
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	145
From 75 to 84	134
85 and over	64
Less than 65	19

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	13
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	61
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	37
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	45
Dementia	17
Cancer	15

ablation	10
bypass surgery	70
cardiac procedures	404
doctor visit	98
minimally invasive procedures	161
open surgery	139
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	150
vascular procedures	149

**Gender**
Male	217
Female	131

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	243
Black	79
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	13
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	142
From 75 to 84	135
85 and over	52
Less than 65	19

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	16
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	59
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	37
Heart Failure	73
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	47
Dementia	19
Cancer	17

bypass surgery	84
cardiac procedures	307
doctor visit	75
minimally invasive procedures	69
open surgery	178
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	167
vascular procedures	79

**Gender**
Male	186
Female	92

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	206
Black	49
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	116
From 75 to 84	110
85 and over	31
Less than 65	21

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	14
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	64
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	4
Atrial Fibrilation	29
Heart Failure	65
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	47
Dementia	15
Cancer	13

ablation	39
bypass surgery	111
cardiac procedures	561
doctor visit	267
minimally invasive procedures	163
open surgery	239
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	261
vascular procedures	140

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2014 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Christian Shults, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Christian Shults, MD treated as a cardiac surgeon in Washington, DC were cardiac procedures, minimally invasive procedures, vascular procedures and thoracic (chest) surgery procedures.

ablation	17
bypass surgery	57
cardiac procedures	353
doctor visit	79
minimally invasive procedures	129
open surgery	119
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	124
vascular procedures	128

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2014 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christian Shults, MD.

**Gender**
Male	128
Female	94

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	49
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	156
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	1

**Age**
75 to 84	83
85 and over	27
Less than 65	9
65 to 74	84

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christian Shults, MD From 2014 - 2021

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

Hypertension	52
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	52
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	11
Osteoporosis	5
Heart Failure	50
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	32
Atrial Fibrillation	25
Cancer	11
Dementia	12

Education & Training

Dr. Christian Shults, MD graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 2004. He completed residency at Washington Hospital Center. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery, Surgery American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery and has a state license in Arizona.

Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine (2004)

Residency: Washington Hospital Center (2010)

Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, Surgery American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery

Licensed In: Arizona

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Christian Shults, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

MedStar Washington Hospital Center

MedStar Health

MEDSTAR HEART INSTITUTE LLC

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Christian Shults, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: CIGNA Choice Fund PPO, MAMSI, First Health PPO, Blue Choice, Golden Rule, Great-West Healthcare, TRICARE, Community Care Network (CCN), Coventry, TRICARE Reserve Select, Aetna Managed Choice POS, Aetna HMO, Kaiser Select, Kaiser Permanente, CIGNA EPO, Aetna Medicare PPO, CIGNA Indemnity, AmeriHealth, AARP, Medicare Advantage, Coventry National Network PPO, Amerigroup, United Healthcare, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, Virginia Premier Health Plan, WellPoint, Aetna, CIGNA Network Open Access, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), HealthyBlue PPO, MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice, CareFirst NASCO, CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO, Traditional Medicare Fee for Service, United Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO), Innovation Health: Open POS Plus, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families, Carefirst EPO, Innovation Health: HMO & EPO Plus, United Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program, CareFirst Administrators, United Student Resources, United Select HMO - EPO/NPP, United MD IPA Preferred (POS), United Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO), Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP), Innovation Health: Network Only Plus, United MD IPA (HMO), United Choice Plus, CareFirst Blue Card Program (Out-of-area BCBS plans), Innovation Health: PPO, HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance, United Choice, United Optimum Choice, Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus), Innovation Health: POS, Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS), Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus, United Select Plus (POS), CareFirst BC/BS Advantage Core/Enhanced, United Erickson Advantage Plans, Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice, Carefirst Healthy Blue (HMO/POS), Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN), D-SNP), I-SNP, CareFirst MedStar PPO, CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity, United Core Essential (HMO), Innovation Health: POS Plus, HumanaChoice PPO, United Nursing Home Plan (C-SNP, Innovation Health: Open POS II, Innovation Health: Indemnity, United GEHA (for all other states) Compass Rose, Veterans Affairs Community Care Network, United Navigate, Carefirst Blue Preferred PPO, Police and Fire Clinic and CareFirst MedStar Select PPO.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Christian Shults, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

CIGNA Choice Fund PPO

MAMSI

First Health PPO

Blue Choice

Golden Rule

Great-West Healthcare

TRICARE

Community Care Network (CCN)

Coventry

TRICARE Reserve Select

Aetna Managed Choice POS

Aetna HMO

Kaiser Select

Kaiser Permanente

CIGNA EPO

Aetna Medicare PPO

CIGNA Indemnity

AmeriHealth

AARP

Medicare Advantage

Coventry National Network PPO

Amerigroup

United Healthcare

Medicaid

Humana

Cigna

Virginia Premier Health Plan

WellPoint

Aetna

CIGNA Network Open Access

Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)

HealthyBlue PPO

MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice

CareFirst NASCO

CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO

Traditional Medicare Fee for Service

United Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)

Innovation Health: Open POS Plus

MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families

Carefirst EPO

Innovation Health: HMO & EPO Plus

United Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program

CareFirst Administrators

United Student Resources

United Select HMO - EPO/NPP

United MD IPA Preferred (POS)

United Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO)

Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP)

Innovation Health: Network Only Plus

United MD IPA (HMO)

United Choice Plus

CareFirst Blue Card Program (Out-of-area BCBS plans)

Innovation Health: PPO

HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO

MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance

United Choice

United Optimum Choice

Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus)

Innovation Health: POS

Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)

Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus

United Select Plus (POS)

CareFirst BC/BS Advantage Core/Enhanced

United Erickson Advantage Plans

Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice

Carefirst Healthy Blue (HMO/POS)

Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN)

D-SNP)

I-SNP

CareFirst MedStar PPO

CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity

United Core Essential (HMO)

Innovation Health: POS Plus

HumanaChoice PPO

United Nursing Home Plan (C-SNP

Innovation Health: Open POS II

Innovation Health: Indemnity

United GEHA (for all other states) Compass Rose

Veterans Affairs Community Care Network

United Navigate

Carefirst Blue Preferred PPO

Police and Fire Clinic

CareFirst MedStar Select PPO

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Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Christian Shults, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 639 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Christian Shults, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Washington, DC.

4.7

Overall Rating

(639 Ratings)

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Reviews From Around The Web

Overall Rating: 4.0 2024-02-27