Sahar Saddoughi, M.D., Ph.D.

Sahar Saddoughi, M.D., Ph.D., is a cardiothoracic and lung transplant surgeon within the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Her work centers on caring for people facing some of the most serious and complex cardiothoracic conditions. Dr. Saddoughi is known for her steady presence in high-acuity care and her deep commitment to helping patients and their families with clarity and compassion.

Areas of Expertise

Dr. Saddoughi approaches surgery with a focus on thoughtful decision-making, technical precision, and close collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring care is tailored to each individual’s unique medical and personal needs. Her clinical focus includes:

• Thoracic oncology: Surgical management of lung cancer and mediastinal masses, with a focus on precise, evidence-informed approaches for complex thoracic disease.
• Lung transplant: Comprehensive surgical care for people with advanced lung disease, including evaluation, operative management, and coordination of complex preoperative care within a dedicated lung transplant program.
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): Expertise in the use of ECMO as a life-sustaining therapy for people with severe cardiac or respiratory failure, including its role as a bridge to transplant or recovery.

Research

Dr. Saddoughi’s translational research reflects her ongoing drive to refine surgical strategies and improve care pathways for individuals requiring advanced cardiothoracic support. Her academic work is closely aligned with her clinical practice, allowing insights from the operating room to shape research questions that directly impact outcomes and quality of life. Through this work, she contributes to expanding treatment possibilities for those with severe lung disease and complex transplant needs.

Her research interests include:

• Ex-vivo lung perfusion research to better assess and optimize donor lungs prior to transplant
• Expanding the donor pool of lungs available for transplantation
• Development of new therapeutics to prevent ischemia-reperfusion injury in the lungs