UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Welcomes Keith Dufendach, MD, and Manuel Giraldo, MD, to the Cardiac Surgery Team at UPMC
September 2, 2026
The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute is committed to providing innovative, patient-centered cardiovascular care, supported by a team of nationally recognized experts and exceptional clinical outcomes. As part of that commitment, UPMC is expanding its cardiac surgery program with the addition of Keith Dufendach, MD, and Manuel Giraldo, MD.
The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute continues to be recognized for outstanding surgical quality, recently earning the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) highest three-star rating for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and aortic valve replacement procedures.
"The addition of Dr. Dufendach and Dr. Giraldo reflects our continued investment in growing one of the nation's leading cardiac surgery programs," says David Kaczorowski, MD, surgical director of the UPMC Heart Transplant Program and chief of adult cardiac surgery at UPMC. "Their expertise in aortic and robotic cardiac surgery expands the innovative treatment options we can offer patients while further advancing our mission to deliver exceptional outcomes and compassionate, patient-centered care."
Keith Dufendach, MD
Dr. Dufendach received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He then completed a residency in thoracic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. He also completed a research fellowship in machine learning and healthcare at Carnegie Mellon University. He is board-certified in cardiothoracic surgery by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. At the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, Dr. Dufendach will focus on aortic surgery.
Manuel Giraldo, MD
Dr. Grueso received his medical degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia. He then completed a residency in general surgery at Ochsner Medical Center. He also completed a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at UPMC. He is board certified in general surgery by the American College of Surgeons. He is board-certified in cardiothoracic surgery by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. At the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, Dr. Grueso will focus on robotic cardiac surgery.
To learn more about the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute or to refer a patient, email HVIReferral@UPMC.edu.
