Bio

Dr. Sung is a highly esteemed, fellowship-trained interventional pulmonologist and a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians.

He is the senior associate chief of the Stanford Medicine Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine. He founded the interventional pulmonology and bronchoscopy for Stanford Medicine in 2013. With Stanford University School of Medicine, he is a clinical associate professor of medicine – pulmonary, allergy and critical care medicine.

In his clinical practice, Dr. Sung delivers care at Stanford Medicine sites in both Palo Alto, Emeryville and Livermore. He is a recognized expert in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the chest and lungs, including complex airway diseases.

Patients praise the quality of his care and excellent listening skills. They highlight his ability to answer questions and to explain medical conditions and treatment options clearly and compassionately.

To advance the field of pulmonology, Dr. Sung is conducting research in airways diseases. He is a principal investigator of a study of variables in computed tomography imaging used to support diagnostic and treatment approaches. He previously served as the site principal investigator for lung volume reduction procedure for COPD.

Dr. Sung has co-authored articles published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, Clinical Lung Cancer, Journal of Thoracic Imaging, Chest, and elsewhere. Topics have included innovations in therapy for pneumonitis and robotic surgical treatment of lung tumors.

He has written chapters for books such as Principles and Practice of Interventional Pulmonology, Examination of the Larynx through the Bronchoscope, and Airway Anatomy for the Bronchoscopist.

Dr. Sung has made presentations to the American Thoracic Society, American College of Chest Physicians, and American Association of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. Topics have included lung cancer staging in the era of personalized medicine.

Dr. Sung has earned recognition from the College of Chest Physicians. The Stanford Leadership Program has recognized his achievements. From the Stanford University Bio-X program, he received a grant to study ultrasound-guided lung biopsy procedures. The Bio-X program fosters interdisciplinary collaboration among biomedical and life science researchers, clinicians, engineers, physicists, and computational scientists.

He is a member of the American Thoracic Society, American College of Chest Physicians, and American Association of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. He has volunteered his time and expertise to deliver health care services to those in need. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagins honored Dr. Sung for providing care to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Clinical Focus

  • Cancer > Thoracic Oncology
  • Interventional Pulmonology
  • Pleural Diseases
  • Solitary Lung nodule
  • Pulmonary Disease

Academic Appointments

Professional Education

  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease (2019)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine (2019)
  • Fellowship: Tulane University Hospital and Clinics (2005) LA
  • Fellowship: Stanford University Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship (2005) CA
  • Residency: Kaiser Permanente at Santa Clara (2002) CA
  • Fellowship: Beth Israel Deaconess Med Center/Harvard (2006) MA
  • Medical Education: New York Medical College Registrar (1999) NY

Contact

  • Academic
    awsung@stanford.edu
    University - Academic staff Department: Medicine - Med/Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Position: Clinical Professor
  • Clinical (Primary)  Pulmonary and Critical Care 300 Pasteur Drive A-13, M/C 5351 Stanford, CA 94305 (650) 498-6288 (fax)

Additional Clinical Info

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 5236
  • Other ID(s):
    S0017575
    ASung

All Publications

  • Interventional Pulmonologist Perspective: Treatment of Malignant Pleural Effusion CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN ONCOLOGY Sweatt, A. J., Sung, A. 2014; 15 (4): 625-643

    Abstract

    The management of known malignant pleural effusions focuses around the initial thoracentesis and subsequent objective and subjective findings. A completely reexpanded lung after fluid removal and with symptomatic improvement predicts successful pleurodesis. Pleurodesis method depends on center expertise as well as patient preference. Medical thoracoscopy does not require the operating room setting and is performed on the spontaneously breathing patient with similar success rate to surgical thoracoscopy in the appropriately selected patients. However, it is not widely available. Talc insufflation is preferred for even distribution of sprayed particles to pleural surfaces. Most often, patients can be discharged home within 24 to 48 hours after continuous chest tube suction. Indwelling pleural catheter has become popular given the ease of insertion and patient centered home drainage. Coordinated care with good patient and family education and support is paramount to maximizing the beneficial potential of the catheter. Complications are minimal, and catheters are easily removed if patients can no longer benefit from drainage, or if pleurodesis has occurred. In the setting of trapped lung as a result of visceral pleura encasement from tumor, indwelling catheter can still be useful if the patient improves with thoracentesis. However, if no subjective improvement is seen after thoracentesis for trapped lung, then no procedure is recommended and other modes of palliation should be sought.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s11864-014-0312-6

    View details for Web of Science ID 000344532800009

  • Simvastatin enhances bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II expression BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS Hu, H., Sung, A., Zhao, G. H., Shi, L. F., Qiu, D. M., Nishmura, T., Kao, P. N. 2006; 339 (1): 59-64

    Abstract

    Statins confer therapeutic benefits in systemic and pulmonary vascular diseases. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptors serve essential signaling functions in cardiovascular development and skeletal morphogenesis. Mutations in BMP receptor type II (BMPR2) are associated with human familial and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, and pathologic neointimal proliferation of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells within small pulmonary arteries. In severe experimental pulmonary hypertension, simvastatin reversed disease and conferred a 100% survival advantage. Here, modulation of BMPR2 gene expression by simvastatin is characterized in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T, pulmonary artery smooth muscle, and lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVECs). A 1.4kb BMPR2 promoter containing Egr-1 binding sites confers reporter gene activation in 293T cells which is partially inhibited by simvastatin. Simvastatin enhances steady-state BMPR2 mRNA and protein expression in HLMVEC, through posttranscriptional mRNA stabilization. Simvastatin induction of BMPR2 expression may improve BMP-BMPR2 signaling thereby enhancing endothelial differentiation and function.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.10.187

    View details for PubMedID 16297860