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Dr. Gert Diederick Pretorius, MD

Dr. Gert Diederick Pretorius, MD

La Jolla, CA

Accepting patients

    Who is Dr. Pretorius, Thoracic Surgeon in La Jolla, CA?

    Dr. Gert Diederick Pretorius, MD is a Thoracic Surgeon, who primarily practices in La Jolla, CA with 2 additional practice locations. Dr. Pretorius graduated from University of Pretoria School of Medicine. Dr. Pretorius is fluent in English and Afrikaans, and is currently seeing new patients. Dr. Pretorius’s practice accepts Kaiser Permanente, Medicare, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna and other major insurance plans. To book an appointment or to confirm insurance options, please call Dr. Pretorius’s office at (619) 543-6886.

    What are Areas of Expertise for Dr. Pretorius?

    Dr. Gert Diederick Pretorius, MD is a highly-rated, board-certified Thoracic Surgeon known for expertly diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide array of related conditions or procedures. Utilizing the latest medical advancements and evidence-based practices, Dr. Pretorius empowers patients to confidently navigate their health journey, specializing in Laser Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Pacemakers/Defibrillators, or comprehensive wellness support. Serving the La Jolla/CA community, Dr. Pretorius is dedicated to enhancing lives through expert, patient-centered care.

    Where did Dr. Pretorius go to medical school and complete their residency?

    • Medical School: University of Pretoria School of Medicine | University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada | UC San Diego, School of Medicine, San Diego | Cardiothoracic Surgeon | Associate Professor of Surgery

    What languages does Dr. Pretorius speak?

    Dr. Pretorius and their clinical team can communicate with patients in the following languages:

    • Afrikaans

    • English

    What conditions does Dr. Pretorius treat?

    As a Thoracic Surgeon, Dr. Pretorius diagnoses, treats, and manages a wide range of conditions. This condition information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical conditions most commonly treated by Dr. Pretorius. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly.

    Also known as:

    • Hardening of the Arteries in the Heart without Chest Pain
    • Coronary Artery Disease with Angina
    • Atherosclerosis
    • Coronary Artery Disease
    • Silent Coronary Artery Disease
    • Asymptomatic Atherosclerosis
    • Atherosclerotic Heart Disease with Angina
    • Chest Pain from Heart Disease
    • Angina Pectoris

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • I2510: Atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary artery without angina pectoris
    • I25119: Atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary artery with unspecified angina pectoris

    Also known as:

    • Heart Failure
    • Systolic Heart Failure
    • End-Stage Heart Failure
    • Congestive Heart Failure
    • CHF
    • Cardiac Insufficiency
    • Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction
    • HFrEF
    • Pumping Heart Failure
    • Advanced heart failure
    • Terminal heart failure
    • Severe heart failure

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • I509: Heart failure, unspecified
    • I5020: Unspecified systolic (congestive) heart failure
    • I5084: End stage heart failure

    Also known as:

    • Other Cardiomyopathies
    • Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
    • Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
    • Cardiomyopathy
    • Uncommon heart muscle diseases
    • Rare cardiomyopathy types
    • Heart Muscle Disease from Blocked Arteries
    • Ischemic Heart Muscle Weakness
    • HCM (Obstructive)
    • Thickened Heart Muscle with Obstruction

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • I428: Other cardiomyopathies
    • I255: Ischemic cardiomyopathy
    • I421: Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

    Also known as:

    • Chronic Pulmonary Hypertension from Blood Clots
    • Pulmonary Hypertension
    • CTEPH
    • Persistent high blood pressure in lung arteries from clots
    • Long-term lung hypertension from emboli

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • I2724: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

    Also known as:

    • Cardiogenic Shock
    • Shock
    • Heart-related shock
    • Cardiac shock
    • Circulatory collapse from heart

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • R570: Cardiogenic shock

    Also known as:

    • Leaky Mitral Valve
    • Heart Valve Disease
    • Mitral Valve Insufficiency
    • Mitral Regurgitation

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • I340: Nonrheumatic mitral (valve) insufficiency

    Also known as:

    • Circulatory System Surgery Aftercare
    • After Surgery
    • Post-cardiac surgery care
    • Vascular surgery aftercare
    • Heart surgery recovery

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • Z48812: Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on the circulatory system

    Also known as:

    • High Blood Pressure Heart Disease with Heart Failure
    • Heart Failure
    • High Blood Pressure
    • Hypertensive Heart Failure
    • High Blood Pressure Causing Heart Failure

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • I110: Hypertensive heart disease with heart failure

    Also known as:

    • Patent Foramen Ovale
    • Congenital Heart Defects
    • PFO
    • Open Foramen Ovale
    • Hole in Heart (PFO)

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • Q2112: Patent foramen ovale

    Also known as:

    • Type 2 Diabetes with High Blood Sugar
    • Diabetes Type 2
    • Hyperglycemia
    • Type 2 diabetes
    • Diabetic Hyperglycemia
    • High Blood Glucose
    • High Sugar Levels

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • E1165: Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia

    Also known as:

    • Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
    • Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
    • CABG
    • Heart Bypass Graft
    • Bypass Surgery Graft

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • Z951: Presence of aortocoronary bypass graft

    Also known as:

    • Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Leak
    • Heart Valve Disease
    • Streptococcal Infection
    • Rheumatic Tricuspid Regurgitation
    • Leaky Tricuspid Valve
    • Tricuspid Valve Rheumatic Disease

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • I071: Rheumatic tricuspid insufficiency

    What procedures does Dr. Pretorius perform?

    As a Thoracic Surgeon, Dr. Pretorius performs a variety of medical procedures. This procedure information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical procedures most commonly performed by Dr. Pretorius. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly.

    Also known as:

    • Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)
    • Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
    • Heart bypass surgery
    • CABG surgery
    • Arterial bypass graft

    CPT Codes:

    • 33533: Coronary artery bypass, using arterial graft(s); single arterial graft

    Also known as:

    • Endoscopic Vein Harvest for Bypass
    • Endoscopy
    • Video-Assisted Vein Harvest
    • Minimally Invasive Vein Removal
    • Endoscopic Saphenous Vein Harvest
    • Vein Harvesting for CABG

    CPT Codes:

    • 33508: Endoscopy, surgical, including video-assisted harvest of vein(s) for coronary artery bypass procedure (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

    Also known as:

    • Heart Transplant
    • Heart Transplantation
    • Cardiac Transplant
    • New Heart Surgery

    CPT Codes:

    • 33945: Heart transplant, with or without recipient cardiectomy

    Also known as:

    • Defibrillator Generator Removal
    • ICD Pulse Generator Removal
    • Implantable Defibrillator Explant
    • Defibrillator Battery Removal
    • Heart Defibrillator Device Removal

    CPT Codes:

    • 33241: Removal of implantable defibrillator pulse generator only

    Also known as:

    • Triple Bypass Surgery (Additional Grafts)
    • Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
    • CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft)
    • Heart Bypass Surgery
    • Coronary Revascularization

    CPT Codes:

    • 33519: Coronary artery bypass, using venous graft(s) and arterial graft(s); 3 venous grafts (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

    Also known as:

    • Atrial Septal Defect Repair
    • ASD Repair
    • Secundum ASD Closure
    • Open Heart Surgery for ASD
    • Heart Defect Patch Repair

    CPT Codes:

    • 33641: Repair atrial septal defect, secundum, with cardiopulmonary bypass, with or without patch

    Does Dr. Pretorius accept my insurance?

    Dr. Pretorius accepts most major insurance plans. Important: Please call our office at (619) 543-6886 before your appointment to verify that your specific plan and network are accepted.

    What insurance plans does Dr. Pretorius accept in La Jolla, CA?

    Dr. Pretorius in La Jolla, CA accepts plans from many carriers. While this list is updated regularly, it is not a guarantee of coverage.

    Top Insurances

    • All Other Third Party

    • CalOptima

    • Centene

    • Crown Cork and Seal Company

    • Heritage Health

    • Humana

    • Inland Empire

    • Kaiser Permanente

    • Other Health Care Provider

    • UnitedHealthcare

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    Where is Dr. Pretorius' office located?

    Dr. Gert Diederick Pretorius' Primary Practice

    9300 Campus Point Dr

    La Jolla, CA 92037

    (619) 543-6886

    Get Directions

    Dr. Gert Diederick Pretorius' Practice 2

    200 W Arbor Dr # 8892

    San Diego, CA 92103

    Get Directions

    Dr. Gert Diederick Pretorius' Practice 3

    9444 Medical Center Dr

    La Jolla, CA 92037

    Get Directions

    What is Dr. Pretorius's NPI number?An National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique ID number that identifies doctors and healthcare providers nationwide.

    Dr. Pretorius's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number is 1629385836.

    What common questions do patients ask about Dr. Pretorius?

    Here are answers to patients Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Dr. Pretorius

    What is Dr. Gert Diederick Pretorius's specialty?

    Dr. Pretorius is a Thoracic Surgeon near La Jolla, CA. A thoracic surgeon is a healthcare expert with specialization in the surgical, perioperative, and critical care of patients with conditions affecting the chest. Their expertise encompasses the surgical treatment of coronary artery disease, lung, esophageal, and chest wall cancers, tracheal abnormalities, and issues with the great vessels and heart valves. They also address congenital anomalies, mediastinal tumors, and diaphragm diseases. Additionally, thoracic surgeons manage airway issues and chest injuries as part of their medical specialty. Contact Dr. Pretorius to book an appointment today.

    Is this Dr. Gert Diederick Pretorius affiliated with a ranked Castle Connolly Top Hospital?

    No, Pretorius is not affiliated with a Castle Connolly Top Hospital, but is affiliated with the following hospitals: UC San Diego Medical Center, Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals are identified through a rigorous peer nomination process, evaluating factors like patient outcomes, quality of care, and expertise. The list recognizes hospitals that excel in 20 or more specific medical procedures, representing the top 25% nationwide. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals

    Where can I learn more about Thoracic Surgeon?

    Explore Thoracic Surgeon with insights from trusted medical experts on EverydayHealth.com, where you'll find the most relevant content and helpful condition guides for up-to date information about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and more. See all our health guides to find trusted information on medical conditions from our experts at Everyday Health.

    Is Gert Diederick Pretorius accepting new patients in La Jolla, CA?

    Yes, Dr. Gert Diederick Pretorius is accepting new patients at this time.

    Does Dr. Gert Diederick Pretorius offer online booking?

    Please contact Dr. Pretorius's office at (619) 543-6886 for information about online booking, telehealth, or to schedule an appointment.

    How can I make an appointment with Gert Diederick Pretorius?

    Please contact Dr. Pretorius's office at (619) 543-6886 for information regarding telehealth appointment availability or for scheduling assistance.

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