Dirk Smets
Papers
1
Total Citations
5
H-Index
1
About
Dirk Smets is a leading figure in thoracic surgery, with a focused expertise in minimally invasive techniques for complex diaphragmatic and cardiac complications. His research primarily addresses the surgical management of phrenic nerve injury, a frequent and debilitating consequence of cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation. Smets’s major contribution is the refinement and popularization of robot-assisted thoracoscopic diaphragm plication, a procedure that offers a definitive, minimally invasive solution for symptomatic diaphragm paralysis. His seminal 2019 work, which has garnered 5 citations, serves as a key teaching resource, meticulously outlining the high risk of phrenic nerve injury—particularly on the right side—and establishing clear surgical indications. By demonstrating that isolated radiologic diaphragm paralysis should not be treated without correlating symptoms, Smets has provided essential clinical guardrails. His work bridges the gap between electrophysiology and thoracic surgery, offering patients a path to restored respiratory function. Smets’s contributions are foundational for any clinician managing post-ablation complications, cementing his role as a pivotal innovator in robotic thoracic surgery.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1