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Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD

Accepting New Patients

(Dr. David Erasmus, MD)

(131 Ratings)

Specializes in: Adult Pulmonology and Adult Critical Care

University of Pretoria School of Medicine (1993)

Professional interests include: lung transplant, lung issues, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and more.

37 Sandstone Circle Suite 400
Jackson, TN 38305

(615) 936-0393

Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD is a pulmonologist in Nashville, TN specializing in adult pulmonology and adult critical care. He graduated from University of Pretoria School of Medicine in 1993 and has 33 years of experience. Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD is affiliated with Vanderbilt Health and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC).

Office Locations

1301 Medical Center Drive B817
Nashville, TN 37232

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Vanderbilt Health

37 Sandstone Circle Suite 400
Jackson, TN 38305

(615) 936-0393

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719 Thompson Lane Suite 20300
Nashville, TN 37204

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Some issues Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD can help you with:

Lung Issues

Every cell in the body requires oxygen to function and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product. In order to keep the body's tissues constantly supplied with fresh oxygen and to keep waste from building up, the lungs pump air in and out, even while sleeping or unaware. Unfortunately, diseases and disorders affecting the lungs are some of the most common medical problems afflicting people around the world. Some of the most common lung problems include asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and lung cancer.

Asthma is a chronic disease where swollen, inflamed airways make it hard to breathe. It is often brought on by specific triggers. While asthma is a common condition, affecting millions of people, it can also be serious and even fatal in severe cases. Treatment involves avoiding triggers and using inhaled corticosteroid medications.

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the name given to two illnesses that both cause difficulty breathing: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema, the air sacs of the lungs become damaged, while with bronchitis they become clogged with mucus. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It is almost always caused by breathing irritants into the lungs, such as smoking or heavy pollution.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or fungi. Most healthy people recover from pneumonia in a week or two, but for some people pneumonia can be fatal. There are treatments available for pneumonia, but the best treatment is to prevent getting sick in the first place. People who are at risk should make sure they get a flu shot every year. There is also a vaccine available for the type of bacteria that causes pneumonia.

Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells inside the lung grow into a tumor, destroying healthy tissue. Because it is so difficult to detect lung cancer in early stages when it has few symptoms, it is the deadliest form of cancer, responsible for the most cancer deaths both in the U.S. and worldwide. Most lung cancer is caused by exposure to tobacco smoke, but between 10-15% of cases are not linked to smoking.

Some problems with the lungs are minor and are not cause for concern. However if symptoms have lasted for a month or more, even if they are minor, it is worth checking with a healthcare professional. A cough, shortness of breath, or excess mucus production that lingers for weeks are all worth getting looked at.

Lung Transplant

Patients who have very severe lung disease may need a lung transplant. The diseased lung is entirely removed and replaced with a healthy lung, usually donated by a person who died. Either one or both lungs can be transplanted.

Contrary to popular belief, lung transplant is rarely used to treat lung cancer. It is a more common treatment for patients with other advanced lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Lung transplant is a serious operation and is generally used as a last resort for patients who have only a short time to live without surgery.

During a transplant, an incision is made on the side of the chest (for a single lung) or in the middle (for both lungs). Patients may be hooked up to a heart-lung bypass machine, which will do the work of moving blood and oxygen through the body during the procedure. After the diseased lung is cut away from the main airway and blood vessels, the donor lung is stitched into place. Surgery may take as long as twelve hours, and a hospital stay of two to three weeks after surgery is not uncommon. For the first hours or day after surgery, patients use a ventilator, or a machine to help them breathe. Tubes will be inserted into the chest to help drain excess air and fluid. During recovery, physical therapy and breathing exercises are used to help the new lung work as well as possible.

Lung capacity is carefully monitored for several months after surgery. Patients who have had a transplant will also have to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of their lives. These drugs stop the body's immune system from attacking the new lung. The main risks after a transplant are infection and rejection (when the immune system attacks the 'foreign' lung). A healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a diet high in vegetables and lean protein, not smoking, and getting enough exercise, is important to keeping the lungs functioning as well as possible. With proper care, many patients can live ten or even twenty years after a lung transplant.

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 10%

By Volume:

transbronchial biopsy

In 2023, Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD performed more transbronchial biopsy procedures for Medicare patients than 90% of providers in related specialties within Tennessee.

Top 25%

By Volume:

biopsy

bronchoscopy

In 2012, Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD performed more biopsy, and bronchoscopy procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of providers in related specialties within Tennessee.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Nashville, TN during 2012 were hospital care, inpatient care, bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD for Medicare patients.

ablation	46
bronchoscopy	237
diagnostic procedures	90
doctor visit	218
hospital care	308
inpatient care	308
minimally invasive procedures	129

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Nashville, TN during 2013 were hospital care, inpatient care, bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD for Medicare patients.

bronchoscopy	226
diagnostic procedures	84
doctor visit	216
hospital care	295
inpatient care	295
minimally invasive procedures	121

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD.

**Gender**
Male	116
Female	101

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	180
Black	25
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	115
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	82

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD in 2013

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	59
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	19
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	60
Diabetes	45
Dementia	0
Cancer	8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Nashville, TN during 2014 were hospital care, inpatient care, bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD for Medicare patients.

bronchoscopy	221
diagnostic procedures	67
doctor visit	192
hospital care	299
inpatient care	299
minimally invasive procedures	106

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD.

**Gender**
Male	109
Female	85

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	159
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	102
From 75 to 84	17
85 and over	0
Less than 65	75

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD in 2014

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	60
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	47
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	20
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	58
Diabetes	49
Dementia	0
Cancer	8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Nashville, TN during 2015 were bronchoscopy, hospital care, inpatient care and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD for Medicare patients.

bronchoscopy	336
diagnostic procedures	85
doctor visit	176
hospital care	254
inpatient care	254
minimally invasive procedures	133

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD.

**Gender**
Male	242
Female	160

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	348
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	220
From 75 to 84	30
85 and over	0
Less than 65	152

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD in 2015

Hypertension	70
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	62
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	60
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	23
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	55
Diabetes	47
Dementia	0
Cancer	8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Nashville, TN during 2016 were bronchoscopy, hospital care, inpatient care and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD for Medicare patients.

bronchoscopy	329
diagnostic procedures	64
doctor visit	147
hospital care	323
inpatient care	323
minimally invasive procedures	117

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD.

**Gender**
Male	118
Female	65

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	149
Black	22
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	98
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	71

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD in 2016

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	60
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	70
Asthma	37
Osteoperosis	20
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	61
Diabetes	49
Dementia	6
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Nashville, TN during 2017 were bronchoscopy, hospital care, inpatient care and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD for Medicare patients.

bronchoscopy	303
diagnostic procedures	72
doctor visit	156
hospital care	288
inpatient care	288
minimally invasive procedures	129

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD.

**Gender**
Male	115
Female	73

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	145
Black	22
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	97
From 75 to 84	20
85 and over	0
Less than 65	71

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD in 2017

Hypertension	70
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	60
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	70
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	28
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	55
Diabetes	53
Dementia	6
Cancer	6

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Nashville, TN during 2018 were hospital care, inpatient care, bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD for Medicare patients.

bronchoscopy	175
diagnostic procedures	57
doctor visit	126
hospital care	279
inpatient care	279
minimally invasive procedures	81

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD.

**Gender**
Male	120
Female	71

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	162
Black	13
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	115
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	56

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD in 2018

Hypertension	73
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	64
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	74
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	20
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	31
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	59
Diabetes	55
Dementia	13
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Nashville, TN during 2019 were hospital care, inpatient care, bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	27
bronchoscopy	179
diagnostic procedures	37
doctor visit	92
hospital care	284
inpatient care	284
minimally invasive procedures	76

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD.

**Gender**
Male	88
Female	50

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	106
Black	14
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	80
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	46

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD in 2019

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	58
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	30
Atrial Fibrilation	21
Heart Failure	39
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	55
Diabetes	53
Dementia	12
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Nashville, TN during 2020 were hospital care, inpatient care, bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD for Medicare patients.

bronchoscopy	201
diagnostic procedures	58
doctor visit	171
hospital care	270
inpatient care	270
minimally invasive procedures	84

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD.

**Gender**
Male	99
Female	72

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	128
Black	25
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	85
From 75 to 84	23
85 and over	0
Less than 65	63

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD in 2020

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	62
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	56
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	42
Atrial Fibrilation	22
Heart Failure	40
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	47
Diabetes	60
Dementia	10
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Nashville, TN during 2021 were hospital care, inpatient care, bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD for Medicare patients.

bronchoscopy	129
diagnostic procedures	34
doctor visit	141
hospital care	332
inpatient care	332
minimally invasive procedures	57

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD.

**Gender**
Male	86
Female	62

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	112
Black	19
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	74
From 75 to 84	24
85 and over	0
Less than 65	50

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD in 2021

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	66
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	59
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	67
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	39
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	54
Diabetes	56
Dementia	11
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Nashville, TN during 2022 were hospital care, inpatient care, bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD for Medicare patients.

bronchoscopy	73
diagnostic procedures	29
doctor visit	119
hospital care	145
inpatient care	145
minimally invasive procedures	29

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD.

**Gender**
Male	58
Female	41

**Age**
From 65 to 74	56
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD in 2022

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	29
Atrial Fibrilation	32
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	48
Diabetes	56
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Nashville, TN were hospital care, inpatient care, bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures.

ablation	46
aspiration	27
bronchoscopy	219
diagnostic procedures	61
doctor visit	159
hospital care	279
inpatient care	279
minimally invasive procedures	96

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD.

**Gender**
Male	104
Female	70

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	12
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	135
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	10
85 and over	0
Less than 65	60
65 to 74	94

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD treated were hypertension, chronic kidney disease, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	2
Ischemic Heart Disease	52
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	60
Asthma	8
Osteoporosis	26
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	50
Diabetes	47
Atrial Fibrillation	16
Dementia	5
Cancer	2

Education & Training

Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD graduated from University of Pretoria School of Medicine in 1993. He completed residency at Internal Medicine - Saint Louis University. He is certified by the Pulmonary Disease - American Board of Internal Medicine and has a state license in Tennessee.

Medical School: University of Pretoria School of Medicine (1993)

Residency: Internal Medicine - Saint Louis University (1998)

Board Certification: Pulmonary Disease - American Board of Internal Medicine (2001)

Licensed In: Tennessee

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Vanderbilt Health

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC)

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.89 out of 5 stars based on 131 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Nashville, TN.

4.89

Overall Rating

(131 Ratings)

Leave a Review

Reviews From Around The Web

Overall Rating: 5.0 2024-11-03

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Doctor let me know all the risks.

Overall Rating: 4.0 2025-08-08

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Good

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. David Brett Erasmus, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Grifols USA, LLC	$108 Prolastin-C $108

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$108

Biography

Dr. David Erasmus' medical specialty is adult critical care and adult pulmonology. His average patient rating is 5.0 stars (out of 5). Dr. Erasmus's areas of expertise include the following: lung transplant, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and lung issues. He is a graduate of the University of Pretoria School of Medicine. He is professionally affiliated with Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). Dr. Erasmus has an open panel in Nashville, TN according to Doctor.com.