Q & A with Michael Camitta, MD

Back to Dr. Camitta’s physician profile

Where did you receive your undergraduate and/or medical training?
I received my undergraduate degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I went to medical school at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. My residency and fellowship were here at Duke University Medical Center.

How long have you been at Duke?
Since June 2004.

Where did you work prior to coming to Duke?
I was at Chandler Medical Center at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.

What are your board certifications and society memberships?
I am board certified in pediatrics and pediatric cardiology and I belong to the American Heart Association and the North Carolina Pediatric Society.

What led you into the field of pediatric cardiology/pediatric cardiac surgery?
A strong interest in cardiac physiology and critical care but with the continuity of outpatient care you cannot have as an intensivist. I also enjoy hands-on work and manipulations which led to my interest in echocardiography.

What are your areas of sub-specialty and how have things changed since you entered the field?
I concentrate my practice on echocardiography, fetal studies, transesophageal imaging, other non-invasive imaging techniques, and telemedicine. The main thing that I have noticed that has changed since I entered the field is the rapid development of imaging technology which has led to vastly improving diagnostic cardiac imaging.

Are you involved with any clinical trials or research studies? If so, what are you examining?
Yes. My current research includes:

• The role of afterload reduction in reducing mitral regurgitation in patients after repair of an atrioventricular canal defect.
• The role of afterload reduction in the clinical course and cardiac morbidity of single ventricle patients.
• The differences in short-term to long-term outcomes (overall health, morbidity, and mortality) in hypoplastic left ventricle patients undergoing one of two standard surgical approaches for repair (standard Blalock-Taussig shunt versus the more newly developed Sano ventricular-pulmonary shunt)
• The variability in obtaining echocardiographic images in patients with a dilated cardiomyopathy among songraphers at one point in time and between interval visits. Examining the same variability in physician measurements from those images between different institutions.
• The utility of a monoclonal antibody against RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) in preventing disease in patients with congenital heart disease.

What is the focus of your current research and how will your research contribute to the field of medicine?
My focus is on Improving surgical techniques, post-operative morbidity and mortality, and long-term outcomes in patients with congenital heart disease.

What drew you to Duke and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I was drawn to Duke by the overall excellent patient care, the incredible quality of the echo lab under the leadership of Dr. Rene Herlong, the comprehensive patient services, the quality and friendliness of colleagues, and the career development opportunities that fit my interests.

What I enjoy most about my work is seeing the smile on a parent's face when their child does well. I enjoy seeing our patients grow and thrive after often difficult courses when they are young. Watching children develop makes me appreciate how we make a difference in their lives. I also enjoy working with my colleagues as they are all good friends to me and coming to work is fun.

Share a special story to explain more about your experience helping children with congenital heart disease.
I had one young adult patient who was virtually incapacitated by the breakdown in function of his surgical repair. He was no longer able to participate in a most of the activities that he enjoyed. He came with his entire family for surgical revision and each one had to introduce themselves to the cardiac team and tell some sort of story about my patient. He almost didn't survive the first night after his procedure, but then went home one week later. I received a call from him about two months after his surgery asking if it was safe for him to shoe horses. He is now back to riding horses full-time, working sometimes more than 10 hours a day on a horse farm in Kentucky, and doing more than he can ever remember having the energy to do.

What do you think sets Duke Pediatric Cardiology apart from other practices in the area?
Excellent comprehensive patient care with world-class diagnostic imaging, cardiac interventionalists, arrhythmia therapy, surgery, and post-operative care. The division also has a uniquely strong caring bond with all of our patients.

What are your personal hobbies or interests?
Biking, camping, playing the piano, cooking, bird watching, photography, and homebrewing (beer).