A Cardiology Perspective – Cristina LePort’s Medical Thrillers
With a rich background in medicine, LePort delivers authentic stories that challenge ethical dilemmas and engage readers in real-life stakes
Cristina LePort blends her medical expertise with thrilling narratives, creating engaging stories that explore ethical dilemmas, suspenseful emergencies, and the complexities of organ trafficking while inspiring aspiring writers.
Cristina LePort, a seasoned cardiologist and internal medicine expert, seamlessly merges her extensive medical background with her passion for storytelling in her gripping medical thrillers. In her compelling novels, readers are not only taken on heart-pounding journeys but are also treated to authentic medical insights that enrich the narrative.
LePort masterfully balances intricate medical details with the suspense that arises from life-or-death situations. She notes that the urgency and pressure inherent in the medical world fuel the tension in her writing. “The suspense comes from dealing with the medical world, bursting with life-or-death emergencies and the pressure of time. The technical details have to be minimized, so the reader doesn’t get distracted,” she explains.
Cristina LePort masterfully combines medical knowledge with gripping storytelling, offering readers thought-provoking narratives that are both thrilling and insightful.
Her debut novel, Dissection, features Dr. Steven Leeds, who confronts a series of rare and complex cases involving arterial injuries. The spark for this gripping tale came from an unexpected source—a TV commercial about aspirin that featured a man receiving a card with the ominous message, “Your heart attack will arrive tomorrow.” LePort creatively reimagined this scenario, transforming it into the urgent proclamation, “Your heart attack will arrive within one hour!” This dramatic premise, inspired by her own experiences in emergency situations, underscores the intensity and gravity of the medical dilemmas faced by her characters.
Reflecting on her approach to writing, LePort emphasizes the importance of integrating scientific accuracy within an engaging storyline. “The scientific details have to be thoroughly integrated with the story and limited to what is necessary to the story. Nothing kills suspense like an abstruse statement about a complicated medical procedure,” she asserts. Her aim is to keep readers at the edge of their seats, avoiding any distractions that might detract from the narrative tension.
In her follow-up novel, A Change of Heart, LePort delves into the darker aspects of organ trafficking, a theme that resonates with contemporary ethical dilemmas. She expresses a desire to highlight the high stakes involved in medical decisions and the ethical complexities surrounding heart transplants. “I hope the readers appreciate the high stakes of the decisions and the many ethical issues involved,” she shares, indicating her commitment to addressing critical societal issues through her writing.
As the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of a biotech company focused on genetic research and aging, LePort’s scientific interests and professional experiences significantly shape her writing. “I love to introduce futuristic elements in my stories. The technology I describe is often already possible, even if not fully realized. We live in wonderful times,” she says, highlighting the excitement of writing within a rapidly advancing field.
Transitioning from a successful medical career to a published author presents unique challenges, but LePort has valuable advice for other professionals considering a similar path. “Know what you write about. Write about a world you want to be in and any character you want to meet,” she suggests. Her own journey began with her first book on cardiology, a subject she knows intimately and enjoys exploring in fiction.
Moreover, LePort emphasizes the importance of editing and seeking professional guidance in the writing process. “Edit, correct and polish. I got many requests for a full manuscript after editing a version that had received only rejections,” she recounts. Her perseverance is evident, as she shares the numerous rejections faced by Dissection, which ultimately found its way to publication after countless revisions and efforts.
In the competitive landscape of writing, LePort’s determination stands out. “Don’t give up. DISSECTION was rejected hundreds of times. Keep on writing. I wrote four more books while trying to publish my first one,” she advises aspiring authors, encouraging them to remain steadfast in their pursuits.
Cristina LePort’s journey illustrates the potent intersection of medicine and storytelling, capturing the thrills and ethical challenges of the medical world while providing readers with gripping narratives that resonate long after the last page is turned. Through her work, she not only entertains but also enlightens, prompting readers to consider the profound implications of the medical choices we face today.
