About Me (In My Own Words)
I live in the Metro-NYC area in Northern NJ. Although I was asymptomatic, a specialist at the Mount Sinai Medical Ctr heard a heart murmur in November, 2009 but it wasn't confirmed by my PCP until January, 2011 (14 months later). After being confirmed, I met with a Cardiologist there and was put thru a series of diagnostic tests (echocardiogram, CT-Scan, cardiac catheterization, etc.) in January, February, and March, 2011. These tests confirmed that I had stenosis of the Aortic Valve (probably a BAV) and an aneurysm of the Ascending Aorta.
In April, 2011, I sought an e-Second Opinion from a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic which confirmed the original diagnosis and the eventual need for open-heart surgery to repair both problems. After conferring with the Cardiologist and Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the MSMC, I was placed in their Surveillance Program.
In November, 2012, although still asymptomatic, I had an office visit with a Cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic. He put me through another series of tests, one of which was an Echo-Stress Test. That test created the 1st set of conditions that caused symptoms (my blood pressure started to shut down) and the premature cessation of the test.
Upon returning to my home in Northern NJ, I conferred with my PCP and decided to get a 3rd Opinion closer to home. So, I met with a 3rd Cardiologist -- Dr. Robert Saporito -- in Ridgewood, NJ to get his opinion and discovered that the most convenient place for me to have this inevitable open-heart surgery just might be located right in my "back-yard": the TABAV (Thoracic Aneurysm and Bicuspid Aortic Valve) Program at the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ...just 4 miles away.
He referred me to Dr. Jason Sperling, an experienced Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Director of the TABAV. Since I had attended a public information presentation he gave back in February, 2012, I was already aware of his high level of expertise and experience in the kind of surgery I needed.
On December 4, 2012, I had an office visit with Dr. Sterling (he prefers to be called by his first name, Jason, but I didn't do so initially) where he answered a set of 12 detailed and probing questions, one-by-one, that I had prepared and submitted to him through his assistant, in advance.
Then, on December 6th, my wife and I attended the "Aortic Aneurysm Support Group" Meeting at the hospital. There, I heard Dr. Sperling make a brief presentation on "Aortic Tissue Stiffness" that he has been conducting under the supervision of the VH IRB, and fielded some questions from the audience before leaving. I was very impressed with his demeanor, his mastery of the topic, his charisma, and his ability to handle "tough questions" from the audience.
Then, after he left, my wife and I were able to mix and mingle with other middle-aged and senior citizen couples who were either contemplating similar surgery (like me) or had already had it. It was a superb opportunity to hear their very candid thoughts about their experiences. We even established a close relationship with one couple who were similar to us in many ways and they answered all of our probing questions from the "patient perspective". What insights!
The next day, I made up my mind to have the surgery at the Valley Hospital done by Dr. Sperling the week of the 17th. I was SERIOUS about having the surgery BEFORE the end of the Calendar Year!
On Tuesday, December 18, 2012, he successfully performed the 6-hour operation on me and now, almost 7 weeks later, I have successfully completed the initial recovery period and am about to commence the Cardio Rehabilitation Program this week (February 6th).
The Valley Hospital's TABAV Program (affiliated with Columbia University) and Dr. Sperling and his Surgical Team were excellent and, as a result, I will be recommending them for consideration for inclusion in this web site's data base of highly-reputable and recommended heart valve surgeons and surgical facilities.
Until now, they've been a "hidden gem" located just outside the "Big Apple" where many people go for their heart valve and aortic root surgery. I could have had the surgery there, but chose to have it done in Northern New Jersey and, in this current look back, I'm definitely glad that I did!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Fair Lawn, New Jersey