Professor Dr. Istiaq Ahmed (Dipu) is one of Bangladesh's leading Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons with over two decades of experience in cardiac and vascular surgery, medical education, and healthcare leadership.
He graduated from Dhaka Medical College in 1998 and joined the Bangladesh Civil Service (Health Cadre) in May 2003. During the early years of his career, he served in several Upazila and District-level hospitals across the Barisal Division, gaining valuable experience in public healthcare.
In 2006, he joined the Department of Cardiac Surgery at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD). He earned his Master of Surgery (MS) in Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery from the University of Dhaka in January 2009.
In 2011, he was appointed as Resident Surgeon in the Department of Cardiac Surgery at NICVD and was promoted to Assistant Professor in 2013. By March 2015, he was independently leading a cardiac surgery unit.
A defining milestone in his career came in November 2016, when he was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) with the responsibility of establishing a completely new Cardiac Surgery Department. Under his leadership, the department officially began its journey in July 2019.
On 10 July 2019, Professor Dr. Istiaq Ahmed made history by performing the first-ever Open Heart Surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, becoming the Founding Chief Cardiac Surgeon of the institution. Today, the department has grown into a well-established cardiac surgery center successfully performing a comprehensive range of complex cardiac procedures.
Throughout his career, he has received advanced international training from renowned cardiac centers, including:
- Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi, India (WHO Fellowship)
- Medanta – The Medicity, Haryana, India
Areas of Expertise
Professor Dr. Istiaq Ahmed has successfully performed more than 2,000 cardiovascular and thoracic surgical procedures, including:
- Cardiac Surgery
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
- Off-Pump CABG
- Total Arterial CABG
- MIDCAB (Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass)
- Valve Repair & Replacement
- Mitral Valve Replacement (MVR)
- Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR)
- Double Valve Replacement (DVR)
- Surgery for Congenital Heart Diseases
- Intracardiac Myxoma & Thrombus Removal
- Combined Cardiac Procedures (e.g., CABG with Valve Repair/Replacement)
- Vascular Surgery
- Aorto-Bifemoral Y-Graft Bypass
- Femoro-Femoral Bypass
- Femoro-Popliteal Bypass
- Excision of Complex Arteriovenous Malformations (AVM)
- Removal of Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Tumors & Thrombus
- Varicose Vein Surgery
- Creation of Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula for Hemodialysis
Academic & Professional Contributions
Professor Dr. Istiaq Ahmed is actively involved in postgraduate teaching, surgical training, and academic research. He has authored approximately 20 scientific publications in national and international medical journals.
He currently serves as:
- Professor & Head, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Dhaka Medical College Hospital
- Organizing Secretary, Bangladesh Association of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons (BACVTS)
- Vice President, Cardiac Surgeons Society of Bangladesh (CSSB)
- Joint Secretary, Teachers' Association, Dhaka Medical College
With a distinguished career marked by clinical excellence, surgical innovation, academic leadership, and dedication to patient care, Professor Dr. Istiaq Ahmed continues to play a pioneering role in advancing cardiovascular surgery in Bangladesh.
