About Dr. Raj Makkar,
Interventional Cardiologist

"When I was young, I was told I didn't need to do anything about my bicuspid aortic valve unless it became necessary. Fast forward: I was fifty when shortness of breath became an issue. Then, my cardiologist said, "it's time."

My first surgery was with Dr. Trento fifteen years ago. He did a great job. But, I was told then that the bioprosthetic valve would last about 15 years. So, for the past ten years, I've been keeping a close eye on my valve and my options with my cardiologist, Dr. Sanjay Kaul.

One option was Dr. Raj Makkar, a pioneer in minimally invasive heart surgery where a new valve is slipped in with a catheter through the leg. Instead of needing six weeks for surgery and recovery, with Dr. Makkar – I only had to set aside two days.

Dr. Makkar won my trust immediately. He's so genuine. He just walked in and asked, "so, are you ready to do it?" I think he already knew my answer and actually – I did, too. I'm a PhD and I've served as a college dean, director, and vice-president. I know how to do my homework. Consumers of health care must educate themselves, seek out information, and seek out the best practice.

Online research makes it clear that Dr. Makkar is a rock star. He really stands out. Health Grades gives him the highest ratings and there's a great online video with Dr. Makkar. Dr. Kaul had also recommended him highly and I already knew Cedars Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles from decades of care. Getting appointments at Cedars and working with Dr. Makkar's team was seamless.

All my Q & A communications were answered. Dr. Makkar's staff was "Johnny-on-the-Spot." After my procedure, Dr. Makkar's team checked in on me, said hello, and made me feel like family. This is being different in the right way. The genuine interest shown by Dr. Makkar and his staff left me, as the patient, feeling I'd done the right thing. As a business analyst, I've learned to solve problems and get results. It worked this time.

My advice is to research in advance, gain as much knowledge as you can, and make good, well-informed decisions with confidence. Now I'm back at the gym and I'm hoping to take up tennis. I will make Dr. Makkar my #1 choice for my next valve in another fifteen years. I'll paraphrase a popular business expression: "When Dr. Makkar talks – people listen." I listened to Dr. Makkar and I'm glad I did. You will be, too!"

"I worked in construction carrying things up scaffoldings for 48 years. So, I was surprised when I was out of breath from drinking a glass of water. My doctor sent me straight to a cardiologist who recommended an echo test.

The problem showed up right away: my mitral valve wasn't circulating enough blood into my body. I had severe mitral regurgitation and was out of breath from doing just about everything. Fortunately, my cardiologist referred me to Dr. Raj Makkar, an interventional cardiologist famous for implanting new heart valves using catheters instead of surgery.

Dr. Makkar told me about the Encircle Trial, a test for a two-part mitral valve delivery system. First, a catheter would encircle my mitral valve creating a ring-shaped landing site for the new valve. Second, another catheter would deliver my new mitral valve into place. And instead of having open surgery and needing days in the hospital and months to recover – I only had to stay overnight! There was a little soreness where the catheter slid in through my leg and that was it.

No pain. No scars. And I was home the next day and back to normal within a week! Dr. Makkar came to see me after the procedure and told me I had an "excellent outcome." This new valve system will be great for everyone.

My experience with Dr. Makkar made a difficult problem so easy and I came away feeling like a new man. It's like nothing happened. And the nurses at Cedars are really great and amazing. They are truly good people. I thank God for Dr. Makkar and those nurses every day. I really don't know how to thank them. I am grateful for Dr. Makkar from the bottom of my heart. And as great a man as he is, Dr. Makkar is also humble – for he let my daughter pray with him before my procedure.

Now in retirement, my wife and I drive around and see how the things I built helped LA to grow. But now I'm building my family. My wife and I had six children, from which we now have 19 grandchildren. Because of Dr. Makkar, I can help my family grow. And that gives me the most pride and joy of all!"

"I was having my regular check up when my doctor heard a heart murmur. The next doctor I saw heard it too and had his own echo machine. Just having completed a 30-mile bike ride, my doctor said, "don't do any more until you have your heart valve fixed."

Then he referred me to Dr. Raj Makkar at Cedars because he's "the best in the world." Dr. Makkar is renowned as an innovator of minimally invasive heart valve surgery. Simply put – he could slide a new valve into place by running a catheter up through my leg. Consulting with Dr. Makkar was great. He answered all my questions.

I do stunts in movies and television. You may have seen my work in the Matrix and Avengers movies, and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." But I didn't want to take any chances here.

I was so relieved when I was approved for Dr. Makkar's procedure. Knowing I wouldn't have my chest opened, I didn't lose any sleep before the procedure. I did have to sign a consent for open surgery in case there was a problem. When I woke up afterwards, the first thing I did was run my hand over my chest to feel if I had an incision and I knew that Dr. Makkar's procedure had been a success.

All I had to do was to stay overnight before I went home the next day. I felt nothing except for some tenderness where the catheter entered my groin, but that healed up within a few weeks. Then, I was back to all my regular activities, including movie stunts. I couldn't be happier with my entire experience.

Not only is Dr. Makkar great, but his NP, Izabela Harutyunyan, is amazing. Izabela is extremely knowledgeable, answered all my questions, and asked really good questions to understand me as a patient. The entire staff at Cedars is great.

Recently, I did a conference call with Dr. Makkar and other doctors to share my experience. And in sharing my experience here, I can say that I'm back to all my regular activities and would 100% do this again with Dr. Makkar and his team. Having my heart valve replaced while hardly feeling a thing is incredible. Now I know why the doctor that referred me to him said that Dr. Makkar's the best in the world!"

"Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR). Dr. Makkar gave me great confidence and while it's only been weeks since the procedure, I feel confident and getting stronger."

"Serving as an emergency search and rescue team member has always required me to rappel down out of helicopters to rescue hikers and accident victims. Bringing people out of the wilderness on ten-mile hikes with 2,000 feet of elevation gain is expected. I worked both the Palisades and Eaton Fires, as well as many of the major fires over the past 30 years.

So, a healthy heart is essential. Yet, my sister and I were both born with bicuspid aortic valves. So, in 2005, when I first had symptoms, I had fully open surgery with Dr. Sharo Raissi at Cedars-Sinai with the instructions that I needed to anticipate another valve surgery within fifteen years. When, in 2018, the symptoms did return, it "was time." Heart surgery had changed since 2005.

Thirteen years later, aortic valves could be replaced with a catheter inserted through the groin without cutting the chest open. Raj Makkar, my interventional cardiologist, did a fabulous job. He also gave me three stents when I had a heart attack years ago. This time, I was only in overnight. Recovery was fast. And the nursing was great. Dr. Makkar was very friendly and accessible and answered all my questions. I like Cedars because everyone is pleasant and available.

I've learned that from seven heart surgeries over the decades. Cedars is ranked #2 in the nation for a reason. But mostly, I've worked with Dr. Makkar's NP, Jasminka Stegic. Whenever I need a prescription or appointment, I call Jasminka, and it's done — often within minutes. Jaminka is positivity personified. She's a beam of light brightening a stressful situation.

It's now been eight years, and since heart valves need to be replaced about every fifteen years, I anticipate surgery again within seven years. When I do, I'll head straight back to Dr. Makkar and Jasminka. My new valve is smaller because it fits inside the old valve. For this reason, I no longer run. I've also retired as a high school teacher and track coach. But I intend to continue working as a reserve deputy search and rescue and for as long as I can.

Dr. Makkar saved my life and from that, I've been able to save many other lives. I've been able to live the life I've wanted to live. A doctor's care can bring no greater fulfillment."