Tirone David



Tirone E. David, OC, O.Ont., M.D., F.R.C.S. (born November 20, 1944) is a Canadian cardiac surgeon and professor. He is the Head of the division of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Toronto General Hospital. Dr. David proposed a technique for a valve sparing treatment for aortic insufficiency, due to dilatation of Valsalva sinuses. Dr. David is known for his remarkable surgical skills in complex operations for both technique and speed and has been involved in developing superior techniques in cardiac valve repair instead of replacement. In 2007, Dr. David performed a mitral valve repair showing the technique using an annular ring in a live podcast on the internet. He travels to other countries every year to teach and demonstrate surgical techniques in difficult cases.

Born in Ribeirão Claro, Brazil, he graduated from the Universidade Federal do Paraná as a medical doctor in 1968. He trained in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery from 1970 to 1975 at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. He then immigrated to Canada where he became a cardiovascular surgeon at The Toronto General Hospital.

In 2004, he was appointed an University Professor of the University of Toronto and has been part of the Department of Surgery since 1980.

In 1996, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for his "techniques in open-heart surgery and heart transplantation". He was also awarded the Order of Ontario.