Ray A. Blackwell, M.D., M.J.

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Ray A.  Blackwell, M.D., M.J.

Ray A. Blackwell, M.D., M.J.

Chief of Cardiac Surgery

Expertise & Research Interests

  • Adult Cardiac Surgery
  • Surgical Resynchronization Therapy
  • ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
  • Heart & Vascular Health

Ray A. Blackwell, M.D., M.J.

Chief of Cardiac Surgery

Since joining ChristianaCare in 1996, Dr. Blackwell has been recognized among the top cardiac physicians in our region, and has helped guide the Cardiac Surgery program to deliver greater quality and value.

Dr. Blackwell leads a team of highly skilled and experienced heart surgeons who perform more than 700 heart surgeries each year.

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Experience

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Selected Papers and Publications

Successful coronary artery bypass in ehlers-danlos type IV syndrome case report and review of the literature

2012-01-01 , Texas Heart Institute Journal
Atherosclerotic coronary artery occlusive disease is very rare in cases of Ehlers-Danlos type IV syndrome. We report what we believe is a unique case of successful coronary artery bypass grafting for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in a patient with this syndrome and examine the possible implications for the natural progression of the disease through a review of the literature. Nevertheless, we reiterate previous investigators' advice that any invasive procedure on these patients should be approached with extreme caution and that surgery should be performed as a last resort, considering the significantly elevated risks.

Anomalous Left Internal Thoracic Artery

2007-01-01 , Texas Heart Institute Journal
A 78-year-old woman with multiple risk factors for atherosclerotic disease presented at the emergency department with dysarthria, difficulty coordinating hand movements, and dyspnea on exertion. After an evaluation, a left carotid endarterectomy was planned. A preoperative stress test revealed a reversible anteroseptal defect. Cardiac catheterization showed severe native-vessel coronary disease, normal left ventricular function, origin of the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) from the distal third of the subclavian artery, and at least a 50% stenosis of the mid-portion of the LITA.

Failure of unipolar pacemaker secondary to subcutaneous emphysema

2007-07-26 , Journal of Cardiac Surgery
Failure of a pacemaker to capture may be related to several factors. This report describes a case with loss of capture of a unipolar pacemaker following the development of subcutaneous emphysema. Once the diagnosis is established, treatment options include tube thoracostomy, pressure dressing, aspiration of air or fluid from the pocket, or insertion at a new site.
External Service and Affiliations
  • American Heart Association, (former) Board of Directors, New Castle County, Great Rivers Affiliate and Founders Affiliate
  • Friends of Hockessin Colored School 107C, Board Member
  • Indoor Track Delaware, Board Member
  • National Medical Fellowships, Regional Alumni Council
  • American College of Surgeons, (former) Councilor, (former) Governor and Member
  • Delaware Medical Education Foundation, (former) Chair
  • Delaware Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, (former) Member
  • ChristianaCare, Board of Advisors
  • Association of Black Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons, Member
  • Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Member
  • Southern Thoracic Surgical Society, Member
  • Medical Society of Delaware, Member
  • American Medical Association, Member
  • ChristianaCare Blood Pressure Ambassadors, Chair
  • Federation of State Boards, Emeritus Member
Selected Honors and Awards
  • Tilton Award, Medical Society of Delaware, Tilton Award, Medical Society of Delaware
  • James Gilliam Award, American Heart Association, James Gilliam Award, American Heart Association
  • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. William S Young Jr Award of Merit, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. William S Young Jr Award of Merit
  • ChristianaCare office of Equity Aubergine Award, ChristianaCare Office of Equity Aubergine Award
  • Dartmouth College Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Social Justice Award, Dartmouth College Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Social Justice Award
  • Raising Kings Award for Community Service, One Village Alliance, Raising Kings Award for Community Service, One Village Alliance
  • Commendation of Excellence Award, ChristianaCare, Commendation of Excellence Award, ChristianaCare
  • Mentorship Award, NUCLEUS Program, University of Delaware, Mentorship Award, NUCLEUS Program, University of Delaware
  • Chi Eta Phi Sorority Community Service Award, Chi Eta Phi Sorority Community Service Award
Patents

Operating Room Lighting and video System, Patent #5,347.431

2024-03-29 , #5,347.431
Operating Room Lighting and video System, Patent #5,347.431