Professor John Pepper

Biography

Professor John Pepper was educated at Cambridge University and Guy’s Hospital prior to his postgraduate training in cardiothoracic surgery at the National Heart Hospital, London Chest Hospital and Guy’s.

He was a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at London Chest Hospital and St George’s Hospital before moving to Royal Brompton Hospital.

Professor Pepper is currently the interim director of research at the Trust. 

In June 2015, Professor Pepper was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to heart and lung surgery, in Her Majesty the Queen's birthday honours. 

Clinical expertise

Professor Pepper's clinical expertise includes diseases of the aortic valve and thoracic aorta.

Research

His current research activities are focused on the development of an external support, specific to the individual patient with Marfan Syndrome, the investigation of left ventricle remodelling in LVAD patients using micro-RNA technology, and the investigation of genes, networks and pathways in diseases of the thoracic aorta.

Randomised controlled trials

• Stented versus stentless aortic valve substitutes
• Ischaemic mitral regurgitation
• On-pump versus off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery
• Skills assessment in the selection of candidates for a career in cardiothoracic surgery

Teaching

Professor Pepper is a regular lecturer on academic days at the Trust, in the UK and abroad (mainly Europe, the Middle East, and Russia).

He also trains visiting postgraduate students from Germany and Spain on a regular basis.

Professor Pepper is on the advisory board of the European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, which focuses on clinical and experimental advances in surgery of the heart, the great vessels and the chest. 

Memberships

Professor Pepper leads and works with a number of organisations throughout the UK, including: 

• National Institute for Health Research, Clinical Research Network – Specialty national lead for cardiovascular disease, with sub-specialty interest in surgery and heart failure
• Cardiothoracic section of the Royal Society of Medicine – president
• Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery of Great Britain and Ireland – education sub-committee chair
• Intercollegiate Surgical Board, Edinburgh Council – examiner
• European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery – member of council with responsibility for adult cardiac surgery domain
• Acute Aortic Dissection (AAD) in North West Thames – clinical lead
• Several clinical trial steering committees e.g. Plymouth, Bristol – chairman

Within the Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, Professor Pepper is involved with a number of groups, such as: 

• Clinical trials and evaluation unit – steering committee chair
• Surgical research and education – Trust head
• Structural heart disease care group – chair
• VAD, ischaemic mitral valve and aortic valve meetings – chair

Publications

Professor Pepper has contributed chapters to numerous books and is regularly published in peer-reviewed journals. 

Private patient referral 

If you would like to make an appointment with this specialist for private care, contact the RB&HH Specialist care team.