Balakrishnan Mahesh, MD

About Me

Dr. Balakrishnan Mahesh is an attending cardiac and transplant surgeon and an associate professor of surgery. He is a fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes in all major heart surgery, heart and lung transplantation, and implantation of ventricular assist devices. He was one of the first heart transplant surgeons at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center to use the Paragonix SherpaPak®, a revolutionary device that transports donor hearts safely.

Dr. Mahesh also performs total arterial coronary revascularization with special emphasis on total arterial grafting; mitral and tricuspid valve surgery, including repairs; aortic root replacement surgery; minimally invasive aortic valve replacement; surgery for atrial fibrillation; and redo cardiac surgery.  

His research interests include the role of antibody-mediated rejection in affecting outcomes following heart transplantation, right ventricular function following heart transplantation, and development of newer left ventricular assist devices.

Dr. Mahesh is a senior clinical lecturer at Imperial College London and the University of Glasgow, Scotland. He also serves as a surgical tutor with the Royal College of Surgeons in London. He is a past recipient of the National Health Service UK Clinical Excellence Award.