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About Travis L. Pollema, DO

Travis L. Pollema, DO, is a cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes in treating diseases of the heart and lungs. His expertise includes treating coronary artery disease with bypass surgery and valvular heart disease with valve repair or replacement.

Dr. Pollema performs operations for patients with advanced stages of heart failure; patients needing mechanical circulatory support, including temporary and permanent ventricular assist devices (VADs); and those who have undergone or need heart and/or lung transplantation. He also implements and manages the care of those requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a type of life support treatment that provides enough oxygen to a person while allowing time for their lungs and heart to rest or heal.

Dr. Pollema is also experienced in performing laser lead extraction, a procedure that removes the wires from an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator due to infection, breaking, malfunction or other reasons.

As an assistant professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dr. Pollema instructs medical students, residents and fellows in the Department of Surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

Dr. Pollema completed a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine and a residency in general surgery at Kansas University Medical Center. While in residency, he was selected for his clinical and leadership abilities to serve as chief resident. Dr. Pollema earned his medical degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. He is board certified in general surgery.

UC San Diego Health Links
For more information, see Heart Care.

Medical DegreeKansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, MOResidencyUniversity of Kansas, Medical Center, Kansas City, KSFellowshipUC San Diego, School of Medicine, San Diego, CA
GenderMale
Date Joined Staff2015-08-01
Board Certifications
General Surgery
Conditions and Treatments
  • Mechanical Circulatory Support
  • Coronary Artery Disease
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Lung Transplantation
  • Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Implantation
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
  • Heart Valve Repair and Replacement
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Heart Attack (Acute Myocardial Infarction)
  • Heart Failure
  • Heart Muscle Disease
  • Heart Valve Disease
  • Heart Valve Repair
  • Heart Valve Replacement
  • Heart Valve Surgery
  • Laser Lead Extraction
  • Lead Extraction
  • Myocardial Infarction
  • Heart Valve Program
PULMONOLOGY_(LUNG)
Cardiothoracic (Heart and Lung) Surgery

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Open Payments Program Notification

For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here. The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires that detailed information about payment and other payments of value worth over ten dollars ($10) from manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologics to physicians and teaching hospitals be made available to the public.

View Open Payments Data for Dr. Pollema