Locations
Office
Scranton, PA
Phone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna
Blue cross blue shield
Coventry
Humana
Medicaid
United healthcare
Geisinger Health Plans
Office
Moosic, PA
About
Bio
Born in Montreal, Canada I attended McGill University Medical school where I also did my general surgery residency. After completing that training I went to Albany Medical Center for Thoracic surgery residency.
I finally did a 2 year fellowship with Dr. Tirone David and his staff at Toronto General Hospital.
I am a board certified cardiothoracic surgeon specializing in valve repairs and VATS surgery for lung cancer.
I was a contributing on air TV Medical Expert for a local CBS news affiliate and am seriously interested in medical telejournalism.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Thoracic Surgery
Doctor Q&A
240 Answers
90 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 29-year-old male asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Not that bad: Most patients after open heart surgery via sternotomy will have a week of incisional discomfort but will return to near normal physical activity in 2 ... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Not per se: An abdominal aortic aneurysm is caused by atherosclerotic disease which is caused by smoking, high blood pressure, high lipids, diabetes, and family ... Read More
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Yes: Although possible in certain high risk groups it is rey unusual.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Work up: You will need radiological studies, nerve conduction studies. Usually the treatment is physical therapy but sometimes surgery is needed.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Simple: This is a surgical procedure where a small incision at the base of the neck is made and a small scope is passed along the front of the trachea to biop... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Larger than normal: Some people with severe COPD have destruction of their lungs resulting in an increase in the total volume the lung takes up in the chest. Unfortunate... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Heart healthy: Atherosclerosis is very common and requires treatment for severe asymptomatic lesions but more commonly for symptomatic obstructions. If you don't nee... Read More
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old female asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Not really: Usually a benign cyst located on the right side of the heart. Can enlarge and be painful. Usually resected with vats operation.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
ACC: Most hospitals that have interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery services participate in the american college of cardiology and society of thora... Read More
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Not usually: Their are no real post mitral valve repair ECG changes that are related to the surgery. Their are people who have mvr and have an inferior mi pre op ... Read More
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Sadly not long: The average 5 year survival for stage 4 lung cancer is near zero.
The average survival is 1 year.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Probably not: You've already had 2 near death experiences and if your taking all the meds prescribed for you i'd stop drinking and smoking now.
Good luck!
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Depends on size: Pneumothorax is when air escapes from the lung via a hole in the lung such that air accumulates in the chest cavity and causes the lung to collapse. ... Read More
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Very different: Atelectasis is a portion of the lung with no air in it and appears as a consolidation on cxr. Pneumothorax is collapsed lung with air on the outside... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Local versus mets: Lung cancer will locally invade the chest wall and cause fluid to accumulate around the lungs. It can spread to the brain, bone, adrenal glands.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 54-year-old male asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Depends: The blockages found during cardiac cath can be treated with stents or surgery. No one really does balloon angioplasty alone anymore. The decision betw... Read More
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Don't know yet: Probably not but if there is a genetic risk with lung cancer it might include defects in specific immunoglobulins.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old male asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Blood clot: A pulmonary embolus is a blood clot that usually originates from the veins in the legs and travels through the veins to the heart to only get stuck in... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
None usually: Valve replacement in a young person usually means a mechanical valve with lifelong anti coagulation with coumadin (warfarin). Therefor, alcohol usual... Read More
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Usually not: Sudden onset of chest pain and shortness of breath are commonly seen.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Eventually: Angina is the symptom you experience when your heart is not getting enough blood because of blockages in the coronary arteries. Prolonged untreated ca... Read More
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Not uncommon: You may have a small hematoma or swelling in the injection site that you possibly are irritating simply by sitting. If the swelling is excessive or th... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Yes sort of: There have been been several techniques developed to do minimally invasive coronary bypass surgery. Midcab involves a small left chest incision and by... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
White round circle: Lung cancer tumors look like white round circles on cxr.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Few names: Atherosclerotic heart disease, angina, blocked arteries from plaque buildup, acute coronary syndrome.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Same as regular : Most patients will be advised to walk every day, do deep breathing exercises, no heavy lifting or driving.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Yes : Arnold schwarzenegger had an aortic valve operation and you can see what he can do. If you have severe aortic stenosis and severe heart failure this ... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Less than 120: I usually recommend beta blockers and aim for systolic less than 120. I also get echocardiogram to rule out bicuspid aortic valve and aortic regurgita... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
When?: Most aortic and mitral valve procedures and some limited coronary bypass procedures. They are usually done with peripheral cannulation and small stern... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
They're not: Coronary arteries are bypassed with vein or other arteries to bring new blood beyond blockages.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Depends: The two north american heart journals are the annals of thoracic surgery and the journal of cardiothoracic surgery. The two societies are the society ... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Surgical disease: Open heart surgery is needed for advanced severe coronary artery disease, valve disease, septal defects , aneurysms, and transplants.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
It can happen: Atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of heart attack and stroke, is associated with the following high risk conditions: hypertension, diabetes, smo... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Easy one: Coronary artery disease is the build up of atherosclerotic fat plaques in the arteries of the heart. These can partially block blood flow to the heart... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Very rare: There ara certain inherited conditions that can lead to aneurysmsl formation in young people. Marfans syndrome is probably the most common of these.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
TIA: A temporary neurological deficit from usually an embolic event is called a transient ischemic attack. It usually is a warning sign for a real stroke. ... Read More
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 64-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Not necessarily: The problem with mitral valve surgery in rheumatic patients that are young is that they will likely receive a mechanical valve requiring warfarin/ cou... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Yes but ....: The answer technically is yes but depending on the underlying condition it might be better to wait until after delivering. The risk of miscarriage ear... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
6-8 weeks: It takes 2 months for the sternal incision to reach 80% of the strength it had pre op and 2 years to heal completely.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Get checked: You could have the beginning of serious complication. See your gastroenterologist or surgeon soon.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
E tests: Ecg, echocardiogram, enzymes, exercise stress test.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Pretty normal: Most patients feel different during the first 48 hours but quickly adapt. By two weeks a lot feel back to normal and certainly by 8 weeks the vast maj... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Yes if neglected: My professors used to say no one dies with chronic mitral regurgitation which is true unless it doesn't get fixed when it becomes severe. Patients wit... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Nerves are pinched: Thoracic outlet is the result of the big nerves and blood vessels in the neck and chest being pinched by the muscles and bones at the top of the rib c... Read More
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Surgical procedure : Aortic valve replacement is a surgical operation where the heart is stopped while the body is on cardiopulmonary bypass machine. The diseased valve is... Read More
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Ask around: Ask patients in the area who was good and ask your doctor where he would have his operation.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Big six: Family history, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, and obesity.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Family doc: See the doctor who probably knows you best. He will refr you to a cardiologist or endocrinologist if necessary.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Yes: There is an association with gallbladder polyps and gallbladder cancer which is very dangerous if left untreated.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
4
Recommendations
410
Thank you notes
Mar 31, 2015
Great doctor. Consistently gives thoughtful, insightful and expert advice.
Feb 6, 2013
I recommend this Physician
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Mott is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I may have to go TAVI route. My heart is very weak with a EF of 25 .
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful! Thanks for being so awesome
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! I guess I just realised the importance Thanks
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
McGill University Faculty of Medicine, QC
Graduated 1992MD
Awards
Top Doctor, Third Place, Scranton, PA - Winter
2013
Most Influential, Third Place, Scranton, PA - Winter
2013
Thought Leader, First Place, Scranton, PA - Winter
2013
Affiliations
Geisinger Community Medical Center
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