USC Cardiac and Vascular Institute

I did a lot of research to find and select Dr. Vaughn Starnes as my heart surgeon. Now, 19 years after my surgery, I can't tell you how thankful I am that I located this incredible and dedicated surgeon. Dr. Starnes performed a very difficult operation, a double heart valve replacement, to treat my bicuspid aortic valve that suffered from both stenosis and regurgitation.

As I often tell future patients and caregivers, I consider Dr. Starnes to be the Michael Jordan of heart valve surgery. Dr. Starnes gave me a 2nd chance at life. I am forever thankful to him and the entire team at USC.

-- Adam Pick, aortic and pulmonary heart valve replacement patient

I had MV repair completed at USC with Dr. Starnes and his 'team' September 13th.

He did as planned and repaired my mitral valve with a minimally invasive, nonrobotic approach. I'll quote directly from the operative findings rather than try to recap and miss something important. "The mitral valve had a total prolapse of P2 with many broken cords. This was resected a a quadrangle resection. The anterior leaflet was also prolapsing in the A2 area were 2 sets of cords were also placed. Once this was completed and a ring inserted, we were able to have a competent valve coming off bypass. Postoperative echo revealed no stenosis and no regurgitation. Clamp time was 46 minutes. Pump time was 70 minutes."

Hearing that both leaflets required repair along with the confirmation that there were torn cords reassured me that we'd made the right decision to have the valve repair rather than risk a replacement later.

Thanks goes to Dr. Starnes and my cardiologist, Dr. Lurie for guiding me to a successful mitral valve surgery at the right time.

-- Debby Tomlinson, mitral valve repair patient

I listened to my cardiologist. He’s the one who said there is only one surgeon to see. That’s Dr. Craig Baker at USC. That was the best decision I ever made in my life.

Dr. Baker replaced my bicuspid aortic valve. It wasn’t a doctor-patient relationship with Dr. Baker. It was more like a friend or neighbor relationship.

Before the surgery, I felt like I was 70. After the surgery, I feel like I’m 40.

-- Dudley Duncan, aortic valve replacement patient