Cynthia's Profile

Diagnosis: Aortic Stenosis, Mitral Stenosis

Member Since: October 18, 2016

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About Me

I was diagnosed with HCM / Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy age 2 in Cleveland. By age 10, I lived in another state, where I was diagnosed with a failing aorta valve and had open heart surgery to have it repaired at 10. The surgeon found the aorta was fine and took out some of the thickening instead.The next four decades, cardiologists at different hospitals periodicaly said I needed aortic valve surgery right away, or I would die. Once I had a TEE showing the valve was fine. Othertimes, I would get a second opinion and learned I would likely need valve surgery someday, but not yet. A few months ago, a TEE showed I need both my aorta and mitral valves replaced, so that will be done Dec. 29 in Cleveland.
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    I am from: L, United States
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    My surgery date was: December 29, 2016
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    I was diagnosed with: Aortic Stenosis, Mitral Stenosis
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    My surgery was: Aortic Valve Replacement, Mitral Valve Replacement, Pacemaker Implant
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    My surgeon is: Dr. Nicholas Smedira
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    My hospital is: Cleveland Clinic

Upcoming Surgeries

Jason Ficht
Aortic Stenosis
September 2, 2026
Joan Johnson
Mitral Regurgitation
September 2, 2026
Joseph Whacheng
Aortic Regurgitation
September 3, 2026

Surgeon Spotlight

Dr. Chiu is a leading heart valve surgeon that has performed hundreds of heart valve operations that include minimally-invasive techniques.