Home > Heart Surgery Blog > Patient Stories > Tom & Trent Connect at The Heart Hospital After Mitral Valve Repair, Maze Procedure and Seroma

Tom & Trent Connect at The Heart Hospital After Mitral Valve Repair, Maze Procedure and Seroma

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: May 21, 2026

It continues to amaze me how Heart Valve Journals is connecting patients online and offline.

This time, Tom Hunt and Trent Viavattene met at The Heart Hospital in Plano, Texas. The two were simultaneously admitted to The Heart Hospital last week. Trent had a mitral valve repair surgery with Dr. William Ryan.

Trent & Tom, Patients, At The Heart Hosptial In Dallas, Texas

Trent & Tom at The Heart Hospital

Tom, who had a mitral valve repair and a Maze procedure with Doctor Marc Gillinov at the Cleveland Clinic last month, was admitted to The Heart Hospital due to a seroma. In his email, Tom wrote to me:

Adam - Thought you might be interested in seeing a photo from Trent and I taken Friday afternoon. Thanks again for all you do. This meeting would obviously never have happened without your foresight and dedication to helping other heart valve patients like yourself. Hope to one day get a chance to shake your hand!

Like many patients, Tom is looking to take advantage of his 'Second Chance' at life. He concluded his email with an incredible goal...

I hope to run my first marathon... I'm keeping the 2014 Cleveland Marathon in my sights. Cheers, Tom

All the best to Tom and Trent as they continue their recoveries from heart valve surgery!!!

Keep on tickin!
Adam

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Written by Adam Pick
Patient & Website Founder

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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