David J. Cohen, M.D., M.P.A., F.A.C.S.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
525 Oak Centre Dr Suite 270 San Antonio TX, 78258About
Dr. David Cohen is a cardiothoracic surgeon practicing in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Cohen specializes in surgical procedues of vital organs in the chest such as the heart, lungs, esophagus and more. As a cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Cohen typically treats conditions like heart disease and lung disease. This class of surgeon can also include cardiac surgeons, cardiovascular surgeons, congenital heart surgeons and general thoracic surgeons.
Education and Training
Washington Univ Sch Of Med- St Louis Mo 1972
Board Certification
Thoracic SurgeryAmerican Board of Thoracic SurgeryABTS
Provider Details
David J. Cohen, M.D., M.P.A., F.A.C.S.'s Expert Contributions
My chest is hurting from the middle of my chest and around my back. I am a heart patient should I be worried?
Your history of previous heart disease, age, diabetes, and possible hypertension related to stress are all significant risk factors. You need to be evaluated by your cardiologist as soon as possible. If you are having active pain, you need to go to an emergency room. READ MORE
Should I go to the hospital?
Yes, definitely. You may be having a new stroke or an extension of an old stroke. If this recently started, go to an emergency room immediately! READ MORE
How long do new heart valves last?
The answer to your question is not straightforward. Age, underlying medical problems, inability to take anticoagulants all influence the type of valve prosthesis used and its potential longevity. No valve is perfect and each has more and less desirable features. In general, mechanical valves (made of metal and plastic components) last indefinitely unless they become infected or clot forms within them. They require life-long anticoagulation, generally with coumadin. Generally we recommend this type of valve in younger patients such as your son unless they cannot take coumadin, e.g. they have a history of bleeding ulcer, stroke, etc. Tissue valves made from a pig’s heart valve or cow’s pericardium generally do not require life long anticoagulation unless there is another reason such as atrial fibrillation. They deteriorate over time and usually need to be replaced in 10-15 years. Unfortunately the younger the patient, the more rapid and severe the deterioration so that we don’t usually recommend them in younger patients under age 55-60 unless there is a compelling reason. They tend to be the valve of choice in older patients over age approximately 65. I don’t know what type you son had or why he needed it. There are complicated issues that can mandate a tissue valve in a young patient or a mechanical valve in an older patient, but the description above describes the thinking in a typical case. I hope that this helps. READ MORE
Is it possible to live with one lung?
You can live with one lung if the other lung has good function. Pre-operative pulmonary function studies are essential to know if you can tolerate a pneumonectomy (removal of an entire lung). Right lung is bigger than the left so removal of left lung may be slightly better tolerated than removal of the right lung. READ MORE
What are some risks of lung surgery?
Removing a hemothorax early before the blood turns to scar tissue surrounding the lung is straightforward and should not lead to major problems. If you wait too long and scar forms around the lung, it is more tedious to remove and you can have small air leaks on the surface of the lung requiring chest tubes to be left in place longer (several days). Either way you will do better long term if the blood is removed and the lung allowed to fully re-expand. READ MORE
Does heart disease require surgery?
There are many types of heart disease. Some require just medicine while others might need a stent or a pacemaker. Still others need open heart surgery to fix coronary arteries or replace a heart valve. The bottom line is that a cardiologist would have to do tests to know what needs to be done. READ MORE
David J. Cohen, M.D., M.P.A., F.A.C.S.'s Practice location
San Antonio, TX 78248-1723Get Direction
San Antonio, TX 78229Get Direction
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Get to know Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. David John Cohen, who serves patients in San Antonio, Texas and around the United States.
Dr. Cohen has more than 45 years of experience to his credit in military and academic medicine, as well as in private practice. He served in his private practice of cardiothoracic surgery, and as President of Alamo Cardiothoracic Surgical Associates, P.A. from 2006 until 2015.
Among his professional experience, Dr. Cohen served on the staff of the Medical Center Hospital in San Antonio (now University Hospital) and the Audie Murphy VA Hospital from 1987 to 1992. He was Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery Service at Audie Murphy VA Hospital from 1991 to 1992. Additionally, he was a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Brooke Army Medical Center from 1981 to 1983 and again from 1992 to 2006, during portions of which he was the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery Service, Residency Program Director, Head of the Heart Transplant Program, and Thoracic Surgery Consultant to the Surgeon General of the Army.
After retiring from the Army in 2006, he entered private practice. He also had privileges and operated in Methodist Healthcare System, Baptist Healthcare System, Christus Santa Rosa Healthcare System Nix Healthcare System, and Southwest General Hospital - all of which are located in San Antonio, Texas. Since closing his private practice in San Antonio, he has continued to perform cardiothoracic surgery as a locum tenens filling in for other surgeons at hospitals in several states. These have included the Sanford Hospital (Fargo, North Dakota), the HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital (Eau Claire, Wisconsin), Covenant Hospital (Lubbock, Texas), St. Francis Hospital (Monroe, Louisiana), Appalachian Regional Hospital (Hazard, Kentucky), and College Station Medical Center (College Station, Texas), among others.
From 2000 to 2006, Dr. Cohen served as an Adjunct Professor of Surgery for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He also served as a Clinical Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery for the UT Health Sciences Center San Antonio from 1992 to 2006, a Clinical Professor of Surgery for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences from 1992 to 2000, a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences from 1985 to 1992, a Tenured Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the UT Health Sciences Center San Antonio from 1987 to 1992, as well as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Wisconsin from 1984 to 1987.
The doctor is board-certified in thoracic and cardiac surgery by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS). The primary purpose of the ABTS is to protect the public by establishing and maintaining high standards in thoracic surgery. To achieve these objectives, the Board has developed qualifications for examination and procedures for certification and maintenance of certification.
On the subject of his educational background, Dr. Cohen received his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1972. Thereafter, he went on to complete a surgical internship and surgical residency at the John Hopkins Hospital, followed by a residency in general surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He also completed a residency in cardiothoracic surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 1981, followed by fellowship training in heart transplant at the Texas Heart Institute in 1993.
Retired from the United States Army as a Colonel in 2006, he subsequently joined the Texas State Guard where he Commanded the Texas Medical Brigade and retired as a Brigadier General in 2017. He has received numerous military awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Texas Superior Service Medal.
Moreover, Dr. Cohen has received several civilian awards throughout his line of work, including the Bexar County Medical Society Distinguished Service Award, Texas Super Doctors (2011-2013), and Kipling’s Who’s Who in Leading Business Professionals (2010), among numerous others. In addition to being a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), he is a member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
Cardiothoracic surgery (also known as thoracic surgery) is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of organs inside the thorax (the chest). Cardiothoracic surgeons, like Dr. Cohen, are medical doctors who specialize in surgical procedures inside the thorax (the chest), which may involve the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest. Alongside performing surgery, they also diagnose and treat diseases of these organs. Dr. Cohen’s practice and research interests include adult cardiothoracic surgery, adult thoracic surgery, lung volume reduction surgery, chest wall reconstruction, heart transplantation, mechanical circulatory assistance, and thoracic trauma.
On a more personal note, Dr. Cohen is married to his wife, Deborah, who has been the love of his life for 42 years. They have five sons: John, Christopher, Scott, Joshua, and Benjamin. In his spare time, the doctor enjoys ranching and horseback riding.
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