When heart conditions cannot be resolved with angioplasty, or when complex lung and oesophageal tumours are involved, cardiothoracic surgeons become the last line of defence. Kuala Lumpur is home to some of the best cardiothoracic surgeons in KL, supported by one of the most advanced cardiothoracic surgery systems in Southeast Asia. The city is capable of performing everything from complex coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to cutting-edge minimally invasive valve repair.
Read more: Coronary Artery Disease
When Should You See A Cardiothoracic Surgeon?
It is advisable to consult a cardiothoracic surgeon if you or your cardiologist have identified a condition affecting the heart, lungs, oesophagus, or major blood vessels within the chest that may require surgical evaluation. While cardiologists primarily manage cardiovascular disease through medical therapy and, where appropriate, catheter-based interventions, a cardiothoracic surgeon specialises in surgical treatments ranging from traditional open-heart surgery to minimally invasive or keyhole procedures, where appropriate. You may be referred for consultation if you have severe coronary artery disease, complex heart valve disease, thoracic aortic aneurysms, advanced heart failure requiring surgical assessment, or suspicious lung and mediastinal lesions. Early surgical assessment helps determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on your overall health and, when indicated, facilitates timely intervention before the condition progresses. Additionally, if you wish to seek a second opinion on a complex cardiac or thoracic diagnosis or explore the potential benefits and risks of surgical versus non-surgical treatment options, consulting a cardiothoracic surgeon can be an important first step.
- Treatment Guide (Surgical): Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery Explained
Selection Criteria and Evaluation Standards
This list is created for Health365 readers and is based on the following authoritative criteria:
- Specialist Qualifications – Doctors must be registered as Cardiothoracic Surgery specialists with the NSR (National Specialist Register).
- Clinical Depth – Priority is given to senior consultants with more than 20 years of experience in areas such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), heart and lung transplantation, and thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
- Technology & Equipment – The hospital must be equipped with a Hybrid Operating Room (Hybrid OR) and a Da Vinci Robotic System.
- Authoritative Endorsement – References include department heads from the IJN (National Heart Institute) and chief surgeons from leading private hospitals.
List of Top Cardiothoracic Surgeons in Kuala Lumpur
Last Updated: July 2026 (Original Publication: Jan 27, 2026)
Below is a compiled list of cardiothoracic surgeons you may consider, with details on their clinic and area of expertise. This list is non-exhaustive, and can serve as a starting point for your search for the best cardiothoracic surgeons in Kuala Lumpur that fits your requirements.
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► Dr John Chan Kok Meng (陈国明) – Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur
- Expertise – Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), heart valve repair and replacement, Arrhythmia Surgery, Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection Surgery, Lung Cancer Surgery, and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS).
► Prof Dato’ Seri Dr Mohd Azhari Yakub – Institut Jantung Negara
- Expertise – Heart & Lung Transplantation, Adult cardiac surgery, Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Heart Failure Management
► Dr Kenny Cheng Keng Peng (郑义新) – Subang Jaya Medical Centre
- Expertise – Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), Minimally invasive Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS), Lung cancer, Thoracic and Mediastinal tumours.
► Dr Paneer Selvam A/L Krishna Moorthy – Institut Jantung Negara
- Expertise – Paediatric Cardiac Surgery, Congenital Heart Surgery, Aortic Surgery, Endovascular repair (TEVAR & EVAR)
► Prof Dr Shahrul Amry Hashim – KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital 2
- Expertise – Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS), Minimally Invasive Lung Surgery (VATS), Aortic Root Surgery
► Dato’ Dr Hamdan Leman – Prince Court Medical Centre
- Expertise – Arrhythmia surgery, Neonatal Cardiac Durgery, Congenital Heart Disease
► Dr Lim Yew Cheng – Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur
- Expertise – Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG), Heart Valve Surgery, Aortic Surgery, Coronary Angioplasty
► Dr Jeffrey Kochar – Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur
- Expertise – Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery
► Prof Dato’ Sri Dr Mohamed Ezani MD Taib – Institut Jantung Negara
- Expertise – Coronary Artery Surgery, Valvular Heart Disease, Cardiac Pacing
► Dr Sivakumar A/L Sivalingam – Institut Jantung Negara
- Expertise – Paediatric Cardiac Surgery, Congenital Heart Surgery
Additional Resources
Cardiothoracic Surgeons In Kuala Lumpur
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Whether you are seeking early diagnosis, a second opinion, or specialised treatment, this list is designed to guide you towards find the best cardiothoracic surgeons in Kuala Lumpur that fits your requirements. If you require assistance to arrange a consultation, contact us via the button below.