• Director, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
• Professor of Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
• Visiting Professor, University of Malaga.
• Visiting Professor, Tel Aviv University.

• hans.schafers@institutocardiotecnologico.com

Dr. Schäffers completed his Medical School education (1982) in Essen, Germany. He had most of his surgical training in Hannover, Germany and in addition spent one year at the University of Toronto. He holds the German licenses of General Surgery (1989), Vascular Surgery (1991), and Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (1991). In Spain, he is also a recognized specialist in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. Since 1995 he has been Director of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the Saarland University Medical Center and Professor of Surgery.

Dr. Schäfers experience includes mainly thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, where he treats both acquired and congenital cardiovascular diseases. He was one of the pioneers of lung transplantation in Europe and is currently one of the most experienced surgeons for chronic pulmonary embolism. He is widely known for his expertise in aortic surgery and mitral valve repair. His most prominent specialty is reconstruction of the aortic valve, both in aortic aneurysm and for aortic regurgitation. At international level, he is currently the most experienced surgeon in this area, having performed more than 1500 such procedures.

He is a member of many professional societies and has published over 300 articles in scientific journals in addition to having published/edited 4 books. Dr. Schäffers has received several prizes for his contributions in lung transplantation and is recognized for his scientific contributions, in particular in aortic valve repair. He actively participates in joint research projects dealing with aortic enlargement and aortic valve disease in cooperation with respective partners at the University of Malaga.