Dr. Peter D. Wearden, MD, PhD

Expert Publications

• Effect of creatine monohydrate on cardiac function in a rat model of endotoxemia.
• Aortic translocation for the management of transposition of the great arteries with a ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, and hypoplasia of the right ventricle.
• PediaFlow Maglev Ventricular Assist Device: A Prescriptive Design Approach.
• Biocompatibility assessment of the first generation PediaFlow pediatric ventricular assist device.
• Acute compartment syndrome in a patient on extracorporeal support: utility of near-infrared spectroscopy.
• Platelet activation in ovines undergoing sham surgery or implant of the second generation PediaFlow pediatric ventricular assist device.
• Platelet activation after implantation of the Levitronix PediVAS in the ovine model.
• In Vitro and In Vivo Performance Evaluation of the Second Developmental Version of the PediaFlow Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device.
• Respiratory dialysis with an active-mixing extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal system in a chronic sheep study.
• Activated partial thromboplastin time is a better trending tool in pediatric
• Short- and intermediate-term survival after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in children with cardiac disease.
• Procedure for decellularization of porcine heart by retrograde coronary perfusion.
• Pre-clinical Implants of the Levitronix PediVAS Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device - Strategy for Regulatory Approval.
• Evaluation of magnesium-yttrium alloy as an extraluminal tracheal stent.
• Urinary bladder matrix promotes site appropriate tissue formation following right ventricle outflow tract repair.

Media Releases

Get to know Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Peter D. Wearden, who serves patients in Orlando, Florida.

An exceptional pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Wearden holds several prestigious positions at the Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Florida, including Director of the Nemours Cardiac Center, Chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery. He has dedicated his life to helping children with heart disease, and he is known for his exceptional skills and compassionate care.

Passionate about his work, he is always looking for ways to improve the care and outcomes for his patients. He believes in the importance of treating each child with heart disease as a team effort, and he values the input and insights of parents, nurses, and staff members. He strives to provide the highest quality and safest care to his patients and their families, and he takes great pride in helping children recover and live full and healthy lives.

With a broad educational background, Dr. Wearden’s journey in medicine began at Georgetown University, where he graduated with honors, and continued on to earn his medical degree and PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from West Virginia University School of Medicine. 

Throughout his postgraduate studies, he held various positions at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and West Virginia University School of Medicine, where he honed his skills in cardiothoracic surgery and gained valuable experience in various surgical procedures. In 2005, he completed a clinical fellowship in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, further strengthening his expertise in the field.

Following his training, the doctor attained board certification in thoracic and cardiac surgery through the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, which is an American surgical organization devoted to surgery of the chest.

Recognized as a highly respected and well-regarded member of the medical community, Dr. Wearden holds membership in several professional and academic societies, including the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs, the Congenital Heart Surgeons’ Society, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

Prior to joining the Nemours Children’s Hospital, he served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He also held important positions at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, including Surgical Director of Heart, Lung, and Heart/Lung Transplantation and Director of Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Support.

Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in the surgical treatment of organs inside the thorax. Cardiothoracic surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in surgical procedures inside the thorax, which may involve the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest. Alongside performing surgery, they also diagnose and treat diseases of these organs.

Among his most notable achievements, Dr. Wearden has been the recipient of multiple “Best Doctor” awards from Pittsburgh Magazine and U.S. News & World Report.

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