Christopher Lau, M.D.
Cardiac Surgery

About
Personal Statement
“I take great pride in being a cardiac surgeon in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York Presbyterian Hospital, as I am practicing with a group of the finest cardiac and thoracic surgeons in the country. I am committed to providing excellent comprehensive care to all of our patients and I emphasize a patient-centered approach, striving to provide the best care possible for each patient’s individual needs. This is made possible by our group’s distinguished ability to take care of the most complex situations at any time of the day or night and the fantastic staff, including the nurses, anesthesiologists, critical care physicians, surgeons, and technicians at all levels.”
Specialties and Expertise
Specialties
- Cardiac Surgery
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Thoracic and Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Surgery, Thoracic Cardiovascular
- Heart Surgery
Expertise
- Aortic Aneurysm Surgery
- Thoracic Aortic Surgery
- Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Surgery
- Valve Sparing Aortic Root Replacement
- Endovascular Stent Graft Repair of Descending Thoracic Aorta
- Aortic Stent Graft
- Aortic and Mitral Valve Surgery
- Mitral Valve Repair (Complex)
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Valve Replacement, Aortic and Mitral
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Aortic Root Replacement
- Aortic Arch Surgery
- Aortic Dissection Repair
- Bloodless Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Heart Valve Repair
- Heart Valve Replacement
- Minimally Invasive Adult Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Cardiac Bypass Surgery
- Endovascular Repair For Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
- Open Heart Surgery
- Aneurysm of Heart
- Aneurysm Stent Grafting
- Cardiac Surgery
- CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft)
- Structural Heart Disease
- Cardiac Valve Surgery
- Aortic Valve Surgery
- Mitral Valve Surgery
- Cardiac Tumor
- Pericardial Disease
- ECMO Procedure
Biography
Dr. Christopher Lau is an Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at New York Presbyterian – Weill Cornell Medical Center and the Director of Endovascular Surgery for the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Dr. Lau completed his undergraduate studies at New York University where he obtained a degree in Psychology and Philosophy. He then earned his medical degree at Downstate Medical Center, where he remained to complete his General Surgery residency. During this time, he received multiple awards for his performance and the Thomas W. Pollock Award for professionalism, compassion and dedication. Subsequently, he completed his Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He remained at Weill Cornell for an Advanced Cardiovascular/Aortic Aneurysm Surgery Fellowship and was recruited to stay on staff as an Attending Cardiothoracic Surgeon at New York Presbyterian – Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Dr. Lau takes a particular interest in surgery of the aorta and aortic aneurysms. He has published numerous articles and book chapters and he has presented his work at regional, national, and international conferences. He manages the aortic surgery center and performs a variety of open surgical procedures and minimally invasive endovascular repairs of the aorta and aortic aneurysms. He and his team are experienced in managing problems in any part of the aorta extending from the aortic root to the ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending thoracic aorta, thoracoabdominal aorta, and infrarenal abdominal aorta down to the aortic bifurcation. In the aortic root, he performs valve sparing aortic root reconstruction, which provides a durable result while preserving the patient's own valve. If the valve must be replaced, he utilizes the latest generation biologic or mechanical composite materials. For aortic arch aneurysms, well-established and time-tested techniques are used for effective cerebral protection to minimize the risk of cerebral injury. In the thoracic, thoracoabdominal,or abdominal aorta, he offers endovascular or open repair techniques, depending on the optimal approach for each individual patient's anatomic needs.
Dr. Lau has extensive experience in many other areas of cardiac surgery and cardiovascular surgery. These include coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), multiple arterial bypass grafting, use of bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) or radial artery conduits, aortic stenosis, aortic insufficiency, bicuspid aortic valves, aortic valve repair/replacement, mitral stenosis, mitral insufficiency, mitral valve repair, aortic aneurysm repair, aortic root replacement (Bentall procedure), valve-sparing aortic root replacement (David procedure), descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysm surgery, thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR), endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), aortic dissections, cardiac tumors, ventricular assist devices, ECMO, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (Maze), and cardiac complications of connective tissue disorders such as Marfan Syndrome.
Research
Honors and Awards
Honors and Awards
New York University Founder's Day Award, 2003
General Surgery Resident of the Year, 2010
General Surgery Resident of the Year, 2011
Thomas W. Pollock Award, 2012
Credentials
Board Certifications
- American Board of Surgery
- American Board of Thoracic Surgery (Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery)
Clinical and Academic Positions
- Associate Attending Cardiothoracic Surgeon - NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
- Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery - Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University
Education and Training
- M.D., State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, 2007
- B.A., New York University, 2003
Insurance
Insurance Plans Accepted
The following represents most of the managed care plans accepted by this doctor. If your insurance carrier does not appear here please contact the doctor’s office as they may have individual contracts not included on this site.
* indicates this doctor is no longer accepting new patients with this insurance plan.
- AETNA - HMO
- AETNA - Medicare
- AETNA - PPO
- Aetna Weill Cornell Employee Managed Care Plan
- Aetna Weill Cornell Employee PPO Plan
- Aetna-NYP - EPO/POS
- Affinity Access
- Affinity Health Plan
- AgeWell New York
- Amida Care
- CIGNA
- Emblem Select Care
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - Blue Access
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - Blue Connection
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - EPO
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - HMO
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - Mediblue (Senior)
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - PPO
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield HealthPlus
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield HealthPlus - CHP
- Fidelis Care
- Health First
- Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP)
- Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP) - Medicaid
- Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP) - Medicare
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Oxford Health Plans - Freedom
- Oxford Health Plans - Liberty
- Oxford Health Plans - Medicare Advantage
- Oxford Health Plans - Metro/Core/Charter
- Rockefeller University - Trustmark
- United Empire
- United Healthcare
- United Healthcare - Community Plan
- United Healthcare - Medicare
- United Healthcare Compass
- VNSNY CHOICE - HMO
- VNSNY CHOICE - Medicare
- WellCare of NY
- WorldWide Medical
Locations and Appointments
News and Media
Videos
External Relationships
External Relationships
Relationships and collaborations with for-profit and not-for profit organizations are of vital importance to our faculty because these exchanges of scientific information foster innovation. As experts in their fields, WCM physicians and scientists are sought after by many organizations to consult and educate. WCM and its faculty make this information available to the public, thus creating a transparent environment.
No External Relationships Reported