Dr Johan van der Merwe – Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Dr Johan van der Merwe - Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Dr Johan van der Merwe - Cardiothoracic Surgeon - Foreshore leads an independent practice focused on minimally invasive and robotic-assisted heart and lung surgery. He earned his MD (MBChB) and MMed (Thorax) at the University of Pretoria before attaining FETCS (EBCTS) certification in Europe. In October 2019, he completed a PhD at Erasmus University Rotterdam in keyhole heart valve surgery, winning the ISMICS Best Manuscript Prize for his work on robotic coronary artery bypass grafting drhjvandermerwe.co.za.

Moreover, Dr van der Merwe combines academic leadership with hands-on expertise. Consequently, he publishes 2–5 peer-reviewed articles annually and serves on editorial boards for international cardiothoracic journals. He presents innovations in endoscopic atrioventricular valve repair and hybrid transcatheter procedures at global conferences. Therefore, patients benefit from techniques that reduce surgical trauma while maintaining safety and efficacy.

Additionally, he mentors junior surgeons and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams—including perfusionists, anaesthetists, and critical-care specialists—to ensure comprehensive perioperative management. As a result, every treatment plan reflects both surgical precision and compassionate support.

Services

Dr van der Merwe offers a suite of state-of-the-art cardiothoracic services, each delivered through advanced technologies and personalised care:

• Robotic-Assisted Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Using the da Vinci® system, he performs precise bypasses through small ports. Consequently, patients experience less pain, fewer infections, and faster recovery.

• Minimally Invasive Aortic & Mitral Valve Surgery: Through keyhole access, he replaces or repairs damaged valves with endoscopic guidance. Moreover, patients often avoid full sternotomy, resulting in shorter hospital stays.

• Endoscopic Atrioventricular Valve Repair: This technique restores native valve function via Port Access™ technology. Therefore, it minimises blood loss and preserves chest-wall integrity.

• Transcatheter Valve Interventions: In collaboration with interventional cardiologists, he performs TAVR and MitraClip® procedures for high-risk patients, ensuring valve competence without open surgery.

• Thoracic Surgery for Lung Disease: He resects lung tumours and manages complex pleural conditions using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Consequently, patients benefit from reduced postoperative pain and improved pulmonary function.

• Percutaneous Cardiopulmonary Bypass: For entirely percutaneous support in high-risk cases, he utilises femoral cannulation and endovascular techniques, enabling critical procedures in fragile patients.

• Congenital Cardiac Repair: He addresses septal defects and congenital anomalies through minimally invasive approaches, thereby restoring normal haemodynamics with minimal scarring.

Furthermore, real-time 3D imaging and intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography guide every procedure. As a result, precision and safety remain paramount throughout the surgical journey.

Additional Information

Dr van der Merwe’s ongoing research and innovation ensure that his practice remains at the cutting edge. He collaborates with leading European centres and contributes to consensus guidelines on hybrid cardiothoracic techniques. Additionally, he serves as a guest editor for special series on minimally invasive surgery and participates in EACTS and ISMICS working groups.

Moreover, he maintains active memberships in the Cardiothoracic Surgery Network and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, which facilitates his role as a global educator. Consequently, he brings the latest international standards directly to his Foreshore practice.

Outside the operating theatre, Dr van der Merwe leads departmental morbidity and mortality reviews and hosts hands-on workshops for sub-Saharan surgeons. Therefore, he nurtures the next generation of specialists and propagates safe, effective surgical methods. Schedule a consultation today to explore personalised, minimally invasive solutions for complex heart and lung conditions.