Hugh Calkins was my worst nightmare. He will tell you whatever is necessary to get you to sign the consent form. Being at the teaching hospital makes Hugh very confused about who gets his first consideration, Is it his obligation to provide hands-on experiences for his 'fellows'? or is his first obligation to provide the absolute best and safest care of his patient? Well, apparently Hugh Calkin feels that his #1 obligation is to his students. Forgetting about The Hippocratic Oath that he must have taken, (first do no harm) he allowed his E.P. fellows to perform the ablation on me while he leaned against the wall in his coat and tie (not scrubbed in). The 'fellow' turned the catheter the wrong way allowing it to enter my left ventricle where it became entangled in papillary muscle. They could not extract the catheter. Long story short, they gave a good strong yank and severed a papillary muscle. When I awakened from my terrifying twilight sleep, they explained what had happened (except Calkins revised his pronouns to I, me rather than implicating himself and one of his fellows). That would be 'lack of informed consent. This he did instead of telling me that someone other than himself had been at the veritable wheel. I refused open-heart surgery to repair the valve until they told me that if I didn't do it, now, that I would die. I consented. During surgery, I had an embolic stroke from an air bubble from the bypass machine. I was in a coma for 2 weeks and on life support. I have been disabled since that time. You can't sue JHH. You will never win regardless of an abundance of evidence. Hopkins video-tapes all procedures but they told my attorney that the film was lost. So life has been very tough. Remember, his fellows come 1st and he will tell you whatever it takes to get you to sign on the line. Thanks again Hugh Calkins for the excellent care that you took of me.

Submitted Nov. 5, 2021

IF YOU NEED AN AFIB SPECIALIST THIS IS YOUR MAN. HE IS AT THE TOP OF HIS FIELD AND SPECIALTY. TAKES THE TIME TO BE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT HE IS DOING AND WHY.

Submitted Feb. 1, 2017

Besides the above rating I'd like to confirm that Dr. Calkins not only answers his emails but answers his cell phone which unheard of with most doctors. I underwent successful catheter ablation in 2011.

Submitted Nov. 23, 2013

Best doctor I have ever seen. He diagnosed my problem when no one else could figure it out. Fantastic bed side manner. Very caring.

Submitted Nov. 22, 2011

Excellent outcome for an ablation to cure A-Fib. Had it done eight years ago after having daily episodes and have been symptom free ever since. I got my life back.... Great Doc....

Submitted Oct. 31, 2011

The care I received undeer Dr Calkins and his staff was excellent. The consultation was thorough and Dr. Calkins took the time to explain all facets of my medicial problems. His ablation procedure proved successfuly where to other ablations by other Doctor's failed.

Submitted July 25, 2011

Yesterday was my 3 mo. anniversary of being A.Fib free following a Catheter Ablation procedure by Hugh Calkins. I can't say enough about this man. I had many local choices near where I live in Reston but, Hopkins reputation and that of Dr. Hugh made my decision a no brainer. No one knows what the future holds but, I got the best at this point in time.

Submitted April 26, 2011

I am a recent Catheter Ablation patient and Hugh Calkins is the best.He answeres his cell phone and emails. What doctors do that? He's the best.

Submitted March 21, 2011

I was very pleased with JHH and Dr. Calkins. He spent alot of time explaining very thoroughly to my daugher and me about her palpitations

Submitted April 6, 2010

I suffered from SVT for 13 years before Dr. Caulkins changed my life by performing a cryoablation on me on December 13, 2005. I couldn’t have asked for a better doctor. He was extremely informative and even gave me his cell phone number to call him if I had any questions or concerns. I can say with a great deal of certainty that Dr. Caulkins earned his salary when he got me for a patient because I had a ton of questions. He was very patient with me and answered every one I had. The surgery was so successful I was out shopping the next day. I have had no negative side effects. I have been SVT free since the surgery and my life has improved dramatically. Thank you Dr. Caulkins, you are an angel on earth!

Submitted Aug. 27, 2009