Bio

Bio

Dr. Agzarian recently joined the faculty at McMaster University, holding the rank of Assistant Professor in the division of Thoracic Surgery. He completed his undergraduate and medical school degrees at McMaster University. While undergoing McMaster General Surgery Residency training, he completed a Masters of Public Health at Harvard University. At the culmination of his Thoracic Surgery Residency at McMaster University, Dr. Agzarian completed a Fellowship in Advanced Thoracic Oncology and Benign Upper GI Surgery at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Agzarian has a clinical interest in lung and esophageal cancer, as well as benign upper GI conditions/surgery. He also remains actively involved in clinical outcomes research and standardization of perioperative care in the area of Thoracic Surgery. He continues to publish and present regularly at international meetings, and is a reviewer for various peer reviewed journals. Finally, he is also actively involved in Thoracic Surgery training and curriculum building.

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Professional Organizations

• The Annals of Thoracic Surgery (Reviewer) 
• European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (Reviewer) 
• Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (Reviewer) 
• Diseases of the Esophagus (Reviewer) 
• Canadian Journal of Surgery (Editors Advisory Group) 
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) 
• Canadian Medical Association (CMA) 
• Ontario Medical Association (OMA) 
• The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) 
• Harvard University Alumni Association 
• McMaster University Alumni Association 
• Golden Key Honours Society 

Research Interests

• Upfront surgery vs. neoadjuvant chemoradiation in the treatment of clinical T2N0 Esophageal cancer—propensity matched retrospective comparative analysis (Mayo Clinic) 
• A Comparison of the Belsey Mark IV and Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication in patients with large paraesophageal hernias (Mayo Clinic) 
• Effects of extensive lymph node dissection on survival in Stage I non-small cell lung cancer—retrospective review of a large single center experience (Mayo Clinic) 
• Pilot multicentre RCT assessing the effects of extended VTE-prophylaxis following oncologic lung resection: Currently recruiting (McMaster University) 
• Evaluating pertinent prognostic factors in the management of rheumatoid pleural effusions—a retrospective review (McMaster University) 

Awards

• 2017 Team Canada Winner of ESTS Post-Graduate course 
• 2016 ESTS-AATS Graham Foundation Excellence Award for best scientific contribution in pulmonary non-neoplastic research 
• 2016 AATS Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident Poster Competition 2nd place Prize 
• 2016 Team Americas representative ESTS Post-Graduate course 
• 2015 Dr. Robert J. Ginsberg Resident Research Award for most outstanding resident research project and presentation, Canadian association of Thoracic Surgeons 
• 2015 Thoracic Surgery Fellow Teaching Award for excellence in clinical teaching 
• 2015 Ontario Thoracic Cancer Conference Best Abstract Submission for Presentation 
• 2014 St. Joseph’s Hamilton Healthcare Best Resident Award in Surgery 
• 2011 General Surgery Residents Research Day—1st Prize Award 
• Dean’s Honour List Scholar, McMaster University (2003-2005) 
• McMaster University Gilmour Memorial Prize for religious studies (2004 & 2005) 
• 2004 Dr. Harry Lyman Hooker Scholarship for special academic achievement, $1500 
• 2003 Sommerville Scholarship for academic achievement, $800 
• McMaster University's Honours Award and Scholarship, $2000 (2002 & 2003) 
• McMaster University 2002 Physics Special Achievement Award 
• 2001 Grace McFarlane Award for devotion science and community service 
• Loyola Merit Award and Scholarship (2001) 
• Mel Lastman Special Achievement Certificate for Volunteer Services (2001) 

Appointments

• Assistant Professor of Thoracic Surgery, McMaster University 

Featured Publications

• Agzarian, J., Bessissow, A., Srinathan, S. Deveraux P.J., Neary, J., Dechert, W., Gandy, L., Schneider, L., Hanna, W.C., Finley, C.F., Schieman, C., Shargall, Y. The Effect of Colchicine Administration on Postoperative Pleural Effusion Following Lung Resection—A randomized double blind placebo controlled feasibility pilot study. (Accepted, European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 2017) 
• Agzarian, J., Shargall, Y. Open Thoracic Surgery : Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery Conversion to Thoracotomy. Shanghai Chest 2017, 1:31. 
• De Waele M, Agzarian J, Hanna WC, Shargall Y et al. Does the use of digital chest drainage systems reduce pleural inflammation and volume of pleural effusion following oncologic pulmonary resection? A prospective randomized trial. Journal of Thoracic Diseases. 2017 Jun;9(6): 1598-1606. 
• Agzarian, J., Linkins, L., Schneider, L., Hanna, W.C., Schieman, C., Finley, C.J., Douketis, J., Crowther, M., De Perrot, Shargall Y. et al. Practice patterns in venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Prophylaxis in Thoracic Surgery: a comprehensive Canadian Delphi survey. Journal of Thoracic Diseases. 2017; 9(1):80-87 
• Agzarian, J. and Finley C.J. Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) for Mediastinal Conditions: Literature review and technical summary. Journal of Visualized Surgery. 2016. In press 
• Agzarian J., Fahim C., Shargall Y., Yasufuku K., Hanna W.C. The Use of Robotic-Assisted Thoracic Surgery for Lung Resection: A systematic review. Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.semtcvs.2016.01.004. 
• Agzarian, J., Hanna, WC., Schneider, L., Schieman, C., Finley, CJ., Peisakovich, Y., Schurr, T., Nguyen-Do, D., Linkins, L., Douketis, J., Crowther, M., De Perrot, M., Waddell, TK., Shargall, Y. Incidence of Pulmonary Embolism (PE) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Following Major Lung Resection: A prospective cohort study. The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 2016 Apr;151(4):992-9. 
• Zareba, P., Wu, C., Agzarian, J., Rodriguez, D. and Kearon, C. (2014). Combined Compression and Anticoagulation Compared to Either Modality Alone for Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Surgical Patients: A Systematic Review of Randomized Trials. British Journal of Surgery. 2014 Aug;101(9):1053-62. 
• Agzarian J , Miller JD , Kosa SD , Malthaner R , Tan L ,. (2013). Long-term survival analysis of the Canadian Lung Volume Reduction Surgery trial.. The Annals of thoracic surgery. 96(4). 
• Agzarian, J. and Shargall, Y. (2013). Thoracic Sympathectomy in the Treatment of Hyperhidrosis. Core topics in Thoracic Surgery. Cambridge University Press. 
• Foster, W.G. and Agzarian, J. (2008). Towards less confusing terminology in endocrine disrupter research. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health B Critical Review. 11(3-4):152-61. 
• Foster, W.G. and Agzarian, J. (2007). Reporting Results of Biomonitoring Studies. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 387:137-140.