Stephen Brecker, MD, FRCP, FESC, FACC

Professor Brecker is a highly regarded cardiologist internationally. He has decades of experience in both general and interventional cardiology with particular expertise in valvular heart disease and the interface between heart and cerebrovascular disease, such as stroke. Professor Brecker has been active in research and education throughout his career and developed an interventional guidewire for use in transcatheter procedures. He has previously held leadership positions at St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, including clinical lead for the South West London Cardiac Network, Director of the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories, Care Group Lead for Cardiology, and Chief of Cardiology Clinical Academic Group. Professor Brecker has published five books, 25 book chapters and has more than 175 peer-review publications.

• Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
• Angina
• Atherosclerosis
• Atrial fibrillation
• Atrial septal defects (ASD)
• Bradycardia
• Cardiomyopathy
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chest pain
• Congestive heart failure
• Coronary artery disease
• Dizziness
• Heart failure
• Heart murmurs
• Heart muscle disease
• Heart valve problems
• High blood pressure
• Loss of consciousness (syncope)
• Neurocardiogenic syncope (vasovagal)
• Palpitations
• Tachycardia
• Valvular heart disease

• Blood pressure monitoring
• Bubble contrast echocardiography
• Cardiac MRI
• Cardio-pulmonary exercise testing
• Cardioversion
• Coronary angiography
• CT coronary angiogram
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• ECG monitor
• Echocardiogram
• Exercise stress test
• Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) closure
• Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
• Valvuloplasty
• Video consultation

• Cardiology (heart health)

Professor Brecker qualified from St. Thomas' Hospital Medical School, University of London (now part of King's College London School of Medicine and Dentistry). He trained in cardiology in London and has spent considerable periods of time at academic institutions in the US and elsewhere. He currently holds the academic title of Professor of Cardiology at St George's University of London, where he is active in education and research.

Professor Brecker focuses his research on making TAVI safer and more effective. His work has led to a medical device bearing his name (the Medtronic Confida BreckerCurve Guidewire), which has helped reduce complications from the procedure.

Professor Brecker has earned two patents and authored or co-authored five books, 25 book chapters, more than 25 peer-review editorials and reviews, and more than 150 peer-reviewed articles.

See publications

Professor Brecker is currently Professor of Cardiology and Consultant Cardiologist specialising in coronary and structural heart disease with particular research interests in valvular heart disease.

Professor Brecker completed a six-year term as Chief of Cardiology Clinical Academic Group at St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust & St George's University of London. He has held editorial board positions and scientific advisory board positions for industry and clinical trials.

Professor Brecker acts as Specialist Advisor to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and as an assessor for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). In these roles he has assessed the safety and efficacy of cardiac interventional procedures on a national level. He has contributed to Guidelines Committees of the American College of Cardiology and European Society of Cardiology.

Professor Brecker continues to work with industry to innovate. His previous commercial development of the Confida BreckerCurve Guidewire earned a Design Innovation Award by NHS Innovations London.

• Fellow, Royal College of Physicians (FRCP)
• Fellow, European Society of Cardiology (FESC)
• Fellow, American College of Cardiology (FACC)
• Member, British Cardiovascular Society
• Member, British Cardiovascular Intervention Society

• English