Professional Experience
- Current Position: Professor and Head of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Medical University of Vienna/Vienna General Hospital
- Previous Roles:
- Director of the Vienna Lung Transplant Program (1989–2018)
- Head of the Department of Surgery at the Medical University of Vienna (2019–2022)
- Thoracic surgeon at Wiener Privatklinik
- Notable Achievements:
- Initiated and developed one of Europe’s leading lung transplant programs
- Performed over 100 lung transplants annually at the peak of the program
- Introduced extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) techniques for heart-lung transplantation
Academic Contributions
- Teaching Positions:
- Professor of Thoracic Surgery at the Medical University of Vienna
- Visiting Professor at institutions including Harvard, Stanford, Cleveland Clinic, and University of Copenhagen
- Research Interests:
- Lung transplantation
- Thoracic oncology
- Advanced surgical techniques in thoracic surgery
- Publications:
- Over 700 peer-reviewed publications
- Recognized among the top 3% of most published scientists worldwide (Stanford University, 2021)
- Course Development and Speaking Engagements:
- Founder of the European Postgraduate School for Thoracic Surgery (2002–2009)
- Speaker at numerous international conferences and workshops
Areas of Expertise
- Conditions Treated:
- Lung cancer
- Tracheal and bronchial diseases
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Functional liver diseases
- Lung metastases
- Procedures Performed:
- Lung transplantation
- Tracheal surgery
- Advanced thoracic tumor resections
- Minimally invasive thoracic procedures (e.g., VATS)
Publications and Research
Dr. Klepetko has authored over 700 peer-reviewed articles, contributing significantly to the fields of thoracic surgery and lung transplantation. His research has been instrumental in advancing surgical techniques and improving patient outcomes in thoracic oncology. Notably, he was recognized among the top 3% of most published scientists worldwide by Stanford University in 2021.
Patient Care Philosophy
Dr. Klepetko is committed to providing compassionate and personalized care to his patients. He emphasizes clear communication, patient education, and a collaborative approach to treatment planning. His team at the Vienna International Center for Thoracic Oncology (VICTO) is dedicated to delivering high-quality care to both local and international patients.
Professional Affiliations
- National:
- Member of the Austrian Society for Thoracic Surgery
- Member of the Austrian Society for Cardiac Surgery
- International:
- Past President of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)
- Former European Representative in the Council of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS)
- Member of the Czech Society of Transplantation
- Member of the Romanian Society of Thoracic Surgery and Transplantation
- Member of the Hungarian Society of Surgery and Pulmonology
- Member of the British Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons
- Certifications:
- Austrian Board Certification in Thoracic Surgery
- European Board Certification in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
FAQs
- Is Dr. Klepetko board-certified?
- Yes, Dr. Klepetko holds both Austrian and European board certifications in thoracic surgery.
- What types of surgeries does he perform?
- Dr. Klepetko specializes in lung transplantation, tracheal surgery, and advanced thoracic tumor resections, including minimally invasive procedures.
- Does he treat international patients?
- Yes, Dr. Klepetko and his team at the Vienna International Center for Thoracic Oncology (VICTO) provide care to patients from around the world.
- How long is the typical hospital stay?
- The length of hospital stay varies depending on the procedure and individual patient factors. Dr. Klepetko’s team provides personalized care plans to optimize recovery.
- What languages does he speak?
- Dr. Klepetko is fluent in German and English, facilitating communication with a diverse patient population.
