About Dr. Nicholas Smedira,
Heart Valve Surgeon

"After experiencing a nightmare surgery in 2015 at a different hospital, I went to see Dr. Smedira at the Cleveland Clinic. He was amazing. I was in and out of the hospital in 4 days. The first surgery had me in intensive care for 40 days, put on heart transplant list, sent home wearing a life vest. (they were going to give me an Lvad. My husband wouldn't allow it, thank God.) The Cleveland Clinic is hands down the only place to go if you find yourself dealing with heart problems."

-- Gayle Drewniak, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Valve Replacement, 09/27/2016

"He was a very caring Doctor. Nothing seemed to bother him and that's what I really liked about him.... Nothing was going to surprise him.

Top notch nursing staff at the heart center when getting out of the ICU. The private room was great. Thank you all for making a scary time in my life a little easier ❤️😊👍"

-- Renee Merrill, Aortic Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, 08/16/2016

"Dr Smedira has performed cardiac surgeries for many years. He is highly respected at Cleveland Clinic. When we met with him and his surgical team we were highly impressed with the confidence and knowledge. I had no anxiety or apprehension going into surgery or recovery. I was blessed with a great doctor, hospital and nursing staff."

-- Gretchen Klyczek, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 07/25/2016

"Dr. Nicholas Smedira and his staff were great. While at the Cleveland Clinic, I had a myectomy and a mitral valve repair. Six weeks after the surgery, I went back to work. I feel real lucky to have found him on the internet. This wonderful surgeon saved my life!!! "

-- Dov Zur, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 07/30/2015

"I had a benign tumor on my aortic valve removed and a mitral valve repair. I left the hospital in 5 days and was never readmitted. I never had any complications. Everyone including Dr.Smedira, Dr.Griffen and the docs in training were fantastic. Dr.Smedira is truly talented and very gifted! I was only on the heart lung machine for 57 minutes! Incredible- given all he did! The nursing staff was great. The responsiveness of everyone whether I had an email question thru my chart or an appt. conflict was fantastic! I am so grateful to everyone for their superior care! Dr.Smedira had to work on both valves as well as do a few other things to my heart that helped it to function better. I was a unique case but doing incredibly well! I could not have asked for a better outcome. Prior to my surgery my EF was around 40- i am now almost up to normal! Thanks to everyone at CCF! "

-- Julia Roberts, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 02/16/2015

"I am so thankful to Dr. Kalahasti and Dr. Smedria. They took such great care of me at the Cleveland Clinic. These doctors saved my life. Great hospital, great doctors, they are at the top of their game."

-- John Smurda, Aortic Valve, 03/20/2014

"In November of 2012, I had an aortic valve replacement and a septal myectomy performed by Dr. Nicolas Smedira. Dr. Smedira was very understanding of my situation and explained the procedure completely which put me at ease. He did an outstanding job which changed my life. I couldn't have higher praise for Dr. Smedira and his support staff along with the nurses at the Cleveland Clinic. The whole Clinic environment from registration through recovery was "first rate". I owe my new life to Dr. Smedira and the Cleveland Clinic!"

-- Richard Gambatese, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 11/08/2012

"Experience was a very good one. I would recommend Dr. Smedira to any one. All I can say was, WOW! Also, if you are traveling to the Cleveland Clinic, please make sure you have a good cardiologist at home and coordinate the after treatment. "

-- Hugh Hornsby, Aortic Valve, Valve Repair, 09/28/2010

"Dr. Nicholas Smedira and the staff at the Cleveland Clinic were fantastic. The facility is excellent and I can't think of one negative thing to say about Dr. Smedira or the Cleveland Clinic."

-- Patricia Walter, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 08/09/2010

"Perfect experience. Perfect doctor. Nursing care and facility were phenomenal."

-- Beth Queen, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 09/21/2009

"Dr. Nicholas Smedira did an outstanding job. He made every effort to answer any and all questions before surgery and to offer his honest opinions. He is a very capable and confident physician. He came to visit me in my room several times after the procedure. You don't get to be Surgical Director of the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center for nothing!"

-- Joe Worden, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 12/29/2008

"I'm writing this following excellent surgery performed on my father by Dr. Nicholas Smedira. My father, now 97 years of age. flew over from London to have complex life saving surgery at the Cleveland Clinic which at the time could not be done in London.

It was a complex surgery requiring 2 visits and planning my father was gravely ill diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm and it transpired he also needed a bypass and valve replacement.

At the time, remarkably 25 years ago, I remember sitting in the waiting room at the Cleveland together with my mother and brother while he was being operated on for what seemed like a whole day.

Astonishingly, when he appeared from surgery he was fully coherent aware full of youthful strength and vitality which still remains to this day! We left to go home back to the UK after a short recovery period.

It's now almost 26 years since his surgery which back in the day was in his case was a major procedure. It's exceptional and unbelievable that he's still going strong and is fit and healthy to this day at the age of 97 and with the same original valve replacement! My family can't thank Dr Smedira and his team enough. Both my mother 98 and father 97 still remain as a happy couple blessed with children and grandchildren and great grandchildren who have been fortunate to grow with a grandpa and Grandma.

On behalf of my entire extended family we remain so very grateful. "

-- Leon Edelman, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Tricuspid Valve, Valve Replacement, Root Replacement, 10/15/1998