Peyman Benharash, MD, FACS
Accepting new patients

Peyman Benharash, MD, FACS

  • Cardiac Surgery
Cardiovascular Center | 100 Medical Plaza, Suite 630 East, Los Angeles, CA 90095
310-206-8232

About

Professor-in-Residence of Surgery and Bioengineering
Director, ECMO Program at UCLA Health
Executive Director, Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology (CASIT)
Associate Program Director, UCLA Thoracic Surgery Residency Program
Director, UCLA Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Laboratories (CORELAB)
Division of Cardiac Surgery
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Dr. Benharash specializes in the treatment of acquired cardiac diseases in adults. He has an active practice that ranges from traditional cardiac operations to minimally invasive, hybrid, and catheter-based therapies to treat heart disease. He is the director of the Extracorporeal Life Support (ECMO) Program at UCLA Health and has made great strides in making this technology widely available throughout Southern California. More recently, he has brought minimally invasive arrhythmia surgery to UCLA, a method that reduces pain and blood loss while being highly effective in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

His research interests include health services research using national databases, with a focus on cardiovascular outcomes. Dr. Benharash's laboratory is heavily involved with the development of noninvasive physiologic sensors as well as the design of physics-based models for virtual surgery. Dr. Benharash believes that patients will continue to greatly benefit from innovations that span multiple disciplines. His research group, CORELAB, is nationally recognized for training future leaders in academic surgery and for its contributions to unmasking disparities in access to quality healthcare across the U.S. He has published over 400 manuscripts, many in high-impact journals.

Dr. Benharash earned his undergraduate, graduate, and medical degrees from UCLA. He completed general surgery training at Harbor-UCLA and spent time at Stanford University performing leading-edge research in stem cell therapies for cardiovascular applications. Dr. Benharash returned to UCLA to complete specialized training in cardiothoracic surgery and has remained on the faculty since. He has been the principal investigator on several major grants funded by the United States Department of Defense and is a co-investigator on several interdisciplinary projects for discovery in heart disease. Dr. Benharash has received a teaching award every year that he has served on the faculty at UCLA and was recently honored by the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA with the Kaiser Permanente Award for Excellence in Education. He also received a 2015 UCLA Health Teaching Humanism Award. His work has been widely published, and he is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Society of University Surgeons and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. He is currently serving as the President of the California Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

Membership in Professional Societies:

  • Association for Academic Surgery (AAS)
  • Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)
  • International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS)
  • Southern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons
  • Pacific Coast Surgical Association
  • Society of University Surgeons (SUS)
  • Western Thoracic Surgical Association

Languages

English, Spanish, Persian (Farsi)

Education

Medical Board Certification

Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, American Board of Thoracic Surgery, 2011

Fellowship

Cardiothoracic Surgery, UCLA School of Medicine, 2010

Residency

General Surgery, Harbor - UCLA Medical Center, 2008

Degree

MD, UCLA School of Medicine, 2002

Recognitions

Locations

Hospital Affiliations

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

Research

Interests

  • Health Services Research
  • Cardiac Tissue Engineering using Stem Cells
  • Cardiopulmonary Bypass
  • Kidney Damage after Cardiac Surgery
  • Role of Antioxidants in Mitigating the Effects of Bypass
  • Acupuncture in Myocardial Injury
  • Cardiovascular Simulation

Publications

  1. Sanaiha Y, Ou R, Ramos G, Juo YY, Shemin RJ, Benharash P. Day of Discharge Does Not Impact Hospital Readmission After Major Cardiac Surgery. Ann Thorac Surg. 2018 Dec;106(6):1767-1773. PubMed PMID: 30318161
  2. Mukdad L, Toppen W, Nguyen S, Kim K, Mendelsohn AH, Zarrinpar A, Benharash P. A Targeted Swallow Screen for the Detection of Postoperative Dysphagia in LiverTransplant Patients. Prog Transplant. 2018 Dec 4: Epub PubMed PMID: 30514164.
  3. Rudasill SE, Iyengar A, Kwon OJ, Sanaiha Y, Dobaria V, Benharash P. Recipient working status is independently associated with outcomes in heart and lung transplantation. Clin Transplant. 2019 Feb;33(2):e13462 PubMed PMID: 30548687.
  4. Bailey KL, Merchant N, Seo YJ, Elashoff D, Benharash P, Yanagawa Short-Term Readmissions After Open, Thoracoscopic, and Robotic Lobectomy for Lung Cancer Based on the Nationwide Readmissions Database. J.World J Surg. 2019 May;43(5):1377-1384 PubMed PMID: 30603764
  5. Mukdad L, Kashani R, Mantha A, Sareh S, Mendelsohn A, Benharash P. The Incidence of Dysphagia Among Patients Undergoing TAVR With Either General Anesthesia or Moderate Sedation. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2019 Jan; 33(1):45-50. Epub 2018 May 26. PubMed PMID: 30057252.
  6. Juo YY, Sanaiha Y, Khrucharoen U, Tillou A, Dutson E, Benharash P. Complete Impact of Care Fragmentation on Readmissions Following Urgent Abdominal Operations. J Gastrointest Surg. 2019 Jan 8. PubMed PMID: 30623376
  7. Juo YY, Sanaiha Y, Khrucharoen U, Chang BH, Dutson E, Benharash P. Care fragmentation is associated with increased short-term mortality during postoperative readmissions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Surgery. 2019 Mar;165(3):501-509. PubMed PMID: 30638610.
  8. Aguayo E, Lyons R, Juo YY, Bailey KL, Seo YJ, Dobaria V, Sanaiha Y, Benharash P. Impact of New-Onset Postoperative Depression on Readmission Outcomes After Surgical Coronary Revascularization. J Surg Res. 2019 Jan; 233:50-56. PubMed PMID: 30502287.
  9. Sanaiha Y, Bailey K, Downey P, Seo YJ, Aguayo E, Dobaria V, Shemin RJ, Benharash P. Trends in mortality and resource utilization for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the United States: 2008-2014. Surgery. 2019 Feb; 165(2):381-388. PubMed PMID: 30253872.
  10. Li L, Maccabi A, Abiri A, Juo YY, Zhang W, Chang YJ, Saddik GN, Jin L, Grundfest WS, Dutson EP, Eldredge JD, Benharash P, Candler RN. Characterization of perfused and sectioned liver tissue in a full indentation cycle using a visco-hyperelastic model. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2019 Feb;90:591-603. PubMed PMID: 30500697
  11. Sanaiha Y, Khoury H, Kavianpour B, Yazdani S, Gowland L, Iyengar A, Juo YY, Benharash P. Impact of Approach and Hospital Volume on Cardiovascular Complications After Pulmonary Lobectomy. J Surg Res. 2019 Mar;235:202-209. PubMed PMID: 30691795
  12. Seo YJ, Sanaiha Y, Bailey KL, Aguayo E, Chao A, Shemin RJ, Benharash P. Outcomes and Resource Utilization in Robotic Mitral Valve Repair: Beyond the Learning Curve. J Surg Res. 2019 Mar;235:258-263. PubMed PMID: 30691804
  13. Rudasill SE, Sanaiha Y, Mardock AL, Khoury H, Xing H, Antonios JW, McKinnell JA, Benharash P. Clinical Outcomes of Infective Endocarditis in Injection Drug Users. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019 Feb 12;73(5):559-570. PubMed PMID: 30732709.
  14. Aguayo E, Lyons R, Sanaiha Y, Benharash P. Response to Letter by Lauren L. Traill, MD: "Regarding Depression and Its Association With Better Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Outcomes in Patients Readmitted to the Hospital". J Surg Res. 2019 Feb 8. PubMed PMID: 30745180.
  15. Sanaiha Y, Bailey KL, Aguayo E, Seo YJ, Dobaria V, Lin AY, Benharash P. Racial Disparities in the Incidence of Pulmonary Embolism after Colectomy. Am Surg. 2018 Oct 1;84(10):1560-1564. PubMed PMID: 30747669
  16. Seo YJ, Bailey K, Aguayo E, Juo YY, Sanaiha Y, Dobaria V, Benharash P, Lin A. Readmissions after Ileostomy Creation Using a Nationwide Database. Am Surg. 2018 Oct 1;84(10):1661-1664. PubMed PMID: 30747690
  17. Sanaiha Y, Mantha A, Ziaeian B, Juo YY, Shemin RJ, Benharash P. Trends in Readmission and Costs After Transcatheter Implantation Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Renal Dysfunction. Am J Cardiol. 2019 May 1;123(9):1481-1488. PubMed PMID: 30826049
  18. Rudasill SE, Iyengar A, Sanaiha Y, Khoury H, Mardock AL, Xing H, Kwon MH, Hunter C, Benharash P. Pre transplant malignancy among lung transplant recipients in the modern era. Surgery. 2019 June;165(6):1228-1233. PubMed PMID: 30827490
  19. Khoury H, Morales RR, Sanaiha Y, Rudasill S, Jaman R, Gelabert H, Benharash P.Trends in mortality, readmissions, and complications after endovascular and open infrainguinal revascularization. Surgery. 2019 Jun;165(6):1222-1227. PubMed PMID: 31072666.
  20. Sanaiha Y, Kavianpour B, Downey P, Morchi R, Shemin RJ, Benharash P. National Study of Index and Readmission Mortality and Costs for Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Patients with Renal Disease. Ann Thorac Surg. 2019 Jul 20. pii: S0003-4975(19)31037-9. PubMed PMID: 31336063.
  21. Sanaiha Y, Rudasill S, Sareh S, Mardock A, Khoury H, Ziaeian B, Shemin R, Benharash P. Impact of hospital safety-net status on failure to rescue after major cardiac surgery. Surgery. 2019 Jul 12. PubMed PMID: 31307773.
  22. Sanaiha Y, Rudasill S, Sareh S, Mardock A, Khoury H, Ziaeian B, Shemin R, Benharash P. Impact of hospital safety-net status on failure to rescue aftermajor cardiac surgery. Surgery. 2019 Jul 12. pii: S0039-6060(19)30307-1. PubMed PMID: 31307773.
  23. Rudasill SE, Sanaiha Y, Xing H, Mardock AL, Khoury H, Jaman R, Ebrahimi R, Benharash P. Association of Autoimmune Connective Tissue Disease and Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation. Am J Cardiol. 2019May 15;123(10):1675-1680. 2019 Feb 22. PubMed PMID: 30850212.
  24. Juo YY, Sanaiha Y, Jabaji Z, Benharash P. Trends in Diverting Loop Ileostomy vs Total Abdominal Colectomy as Surgical Management for Clostridium DifficileColitis. JAMA Surg. 2019 Jul 3. PubMed PMID: 31268492; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6613305.
  25. Khoury H, Sanaiha Y, Rudasill SE, Mardock AL, Sareh S, Benharash P. Readmissions Following Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in the United States (from the Nationwide Readmissions Database 2010 to 2014). Am J Cardiol. 2019 Jul 15;124(2):205-210. 2019 Apr 23. PubMed PMID: 31104778.
  26. Sanaiha Y, Kavianpour B, Mardock A, Khoury H, Downey P, Rudasill S, Benharash P. Rehospitalization and resource use after inpatient admission for extracorporeal life support in the United States. Surgery. 2019 Jul 2. pii:S0039-6060(19)30271-5. PubMed PMID: 31277884.
  27. Bailey KL, Mantha A, Sanaiha Y, Mathias L, Benharash P, Ebrahimi R.Short-Term Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Autoimmune Vasculitides. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019 Jul 9;74 (1):159-160. PubMed PMID: 31272540.
  28. Mardock AL, Ragalie WS, Rudasill SE, Sanaiha Y, Benharash P. Impact of Donor Diabetes on Outcomes of Lung Transplantation in the United States. J Surg Res.2019 Jul 6;244:146-152. PubMed PMID: 31288183.

Link to Dr. Benharash's complete list of publications >

Insurance

  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross
  • Blue Shield of California
  • Centivo
  • Cigna
  • First Health
  • Health Net of California
  • Interplan (part of HealthSmart)
  • L.A. Care
  • Medicare Advantage
  • MultiPlan
  • UFCM Health System
  • Prime Health Services
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • TRICARE
  • UnitedHealthcare

The list of health care plans above may not be comprehensive and could change. 
Please contact your benefits coordinator or health insurance company directly to verify coverage.

Visit our health insurance information page for more details.

Recognitions

  • Super Doctors® Southern California 2022 - 2024
  • Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2023
  • Super Doctors® Southern California Rising Stars 2016
  • 2013 Award for Excellence in Patient-Centered-Care, Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System
  • 2011, 2012 Teacher of the Year Award, UCLA Cardiothoracic Residency Program
  • 2010 Rosenberg Humanitarian Award, UCLA Cardiothoracic Residency Program
  • 2008 Teaching-Resident-of-the-Year Award, Harbor-UCLA General Surgery
  • 2006 Stanford Cardiovascular Institute SEED Grant, Stanford University
  • 2004 Surgical Jeopardy, American College of Surgeons, 2nd place
  • 2002 The William Dignam Award for Excellence in Obstetrics and Gynecology, UCLA School of medicine
  • 2002 Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society
  • 2001 STTP Summer Research Fellowship, UCLA School of Medicine
  • 1998 Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
  • 1998 Arthur Furst Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Research, UCLA Department of Chemistry
  • 1998 Graduate Student Teaching Award, UCLA Department of Chemistry
  • 1998 Ramsey Prize for Excellence in Physical Chemistry
  • 1997 Alpha Chi Sigma Society Summer Research Grant, UCLA Department of Chemistry
  • 1997 UCLA Association of Chemists and Biochemists Research Scholarship
  • 1995 Presidential Undergraduate Fellowship for Outstanding Research

Links