Dr. Sara Negrotto, Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Sara Negrotto
Interventional Cardiologist

"When I retired to my mountain top farm in the sky, I had big plans. Working the land up here and clearing weeds and brush, is a pleasure. So, you can imagine how I felt when I suddenly had clots in my lungs, five clogged arteries, and a calcified heart valve. I needed high quality care to get my life back. And being 85 years old didn’t change my expectations about working my land — it only intensified them!

My symptoms were frustrating. I would have to catch my breath after every four steps. Once the clots were removed from my lungs, it was time to see a cardiologist. At first, I asked about having a valve implanted with a catheter through my groin. The cardiologist told me flatly – “no, you need fully open-heart surgery.” He did not feel confident that removing obstructions first would come without a stroke risk. But he did know Dr. Raj Makkar at Cedars and recommended that I go to him for a second opinion. That’s when Dr. Makkar changed everything. He exuded confidence as he brushed aside the idea of fully open surgery. He said I could have stents for my clogged arteries and a minimally invasive, transcatheter valve, as well.

This meant five trips to Cedars-Sinai in Beverly Hills for all the procedures. But through them all, I never felt any pain, other than brief soreness where the catheters went in. And Cedars is a beautiful hospital. The care team went above and beyond. Jasminka, Dr. Makkar’s nurse practitioner, called when needed and answered all my questions. The two nurses in the fifth-floor prep intake were compassionate and amazing. But the brightest star was Brendan, the night nurse in recovery who demonstrated attention to detail and deep interest in his patients.

For my valve procedure, I just had to stay overnight and take it easy for two weeks. Now, two months later, I’m fully back to clearing my land and climbing the stairs in my home. I had been inactive for a year before due to my condition. But now I can reclaim my life. I’m able to use my tractor to clear my brush and weeds. Some people call this work. I call it a happy retirement in paradise. Thanks to Dr. Makkar and his team, I can enjoy the retirement I worked so many decades for!"