Brian Bateson, DO, is a congenital heart surgeon specializing in the care of children and adults with complex heart disease. He practices primarily at Primary Children’s Hospital and serves as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Dr. Bateson’s expertise spans congenital cardiac surgery, heart transplantation, advanced mechanical circulatory support, and blood conservation strategies that improve outcomes for even the most complex patients.
Clinical Expertise
Dr. Bateson provides advanced surgical care in the following areas:
- Adult congenital heart surgery
- Pediatric cardiothoracic surgery
- Congenital cardiac surgery
- Heart transplantation
- Heart failure and heart failure recovery
- Mechanical circulatory support (MCS)
- Heart valve surgery and aortic valve repair
- Pediatric airway surgery
- Blood conservation techniques and transfusion reduction
Education and Training
Dr. Bateson graduated with honors from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his general surgery residency at the Medical College of Georgia. He then pursued advanced fellowship training in adult cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Louisville, where he gained extensive experience in durable mechanical circulatory support and transplantation.
He went on to train in congenital heart surgery at the University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital, where he was part of the groundbreaking team that performed the first bloodless Norwood procedure—an innovative surgical approach for newborns with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Before joining the University of Utah, Dr. Bateson practiced at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, where he served as co-director of the Adult Congenital Heart Program and director of the Advanced Aortic Valve Repair Program. During his tenure, he also established a highly successful blood conservation program, dramatically reducing blood product utilization for pediatric and congenital heart surgery patients.
Research and Innovation
Dr. Bateson is actively engaged in clinical research with a focus on:
- Blood conservation in congenital heart surgery
- Advanced mechanical circulatory support
- Heart failure and transplantation outcomes
- National and international quality improvement database projects
Through his research and clinical practice, he is dedicated to developing surgical techniques and perioperative strategies that improve survival, reduce complications, and enhance long-term outcomes for patients of all ages with congenital and acquired heart disease.
Patient-Centered Care
Dr. Bateson is known for his collaborative, thoughtful, and family-centered approach. He partners closely with patients and their families, ensuring that each treatment plan is individualized to meet both the clinical needs and the long-term goals of every patient.
Personal Interests
Outside of medicine, Dr. Bateson enjoys spending time with his family, playing tennis, and exploring Utah’s outdoors.