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

Chief of Cardiac Surgery | ChristianaCare

Newark, DE, UNITED STATES

Ray Blackwell is Chief of Cardiac Surgery and is also the W. Samuel Carpenter, III, Distinguished Chair of Cardiovascular Surgery.

Biography

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.

Areas of Expertise (6)

Adult Cardiac Surgery

Surgical Resynchronization Therapy

ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)

Cardiac Surgery

Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)

Heart & Vascular Health

Multimedia

Publications Photos Videos Documents Audio/Podcasts

Publications:

Documents:

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Videos:

Audio/Podcasts:

Links and Image Galleries (1)

Downloadable Photos of Dr. Ray Blackwell

Selected Papers and Publications (3)

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

Texas Heart Institute Journal

HMF Sherif, RA Blackwell

2012-01-01

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

Texas Heart Institute Journal

RA Blackwell, MR Zolnick

2007-01-01

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

Journal of Cardiac Surgery

Blackwell, R.A., Rha‐Waitze, S.Y., Johnson, A. and Symbas, P.N.

2007-07-26

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 & Affiliations (15)

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 & Awards (9)

Tilton Award, Medical Society of Delaware (professional)

Tilton Award, Medical Society of Delaware

James Gilliam Award, American Heart Association (professional)

James Gilliam Award, American Heart Association

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. William S Young Jr Award of Merit (professional)

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. William S Young Jr Award of Merit

ChristianaCare office of Equity Aubergine Award (professional)

ChristianaCare Office of Equity Aubergine Award

Dartmouth College Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Social Justice Award (professional)

Dartmouth College Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Social Justice Award

Raising Kings Award for Community Service, One Village Alliance (professional)

Raising Kings Award for Community Service, One Village Alliance

Commendation of Excellence Award, ChristianaCare (professional)

Commendation of Excellence Award, ChristianaCare

Mentorship Award, NUCLEUS Program, University of Delaware (professional)

Mentorship Award, NUCLEUS Program, University of Delaware

Chi Eta Phi Sorority Community Service Award (professional)

Chi Eta Phi Sorority Community Service Award

Patents (1)

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

#5,347.431

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