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I am 78 y/o moderate aortic stenosis (34 mm/hg). I get a CT Aniogram ...Read more
I am 78 y/o moderate aortic stenosis (34 mm/hg). I get a CT Aniogram and Echo Monday 07/20. No treatment plan or timeline yet.
I completed the Tour of Palm Springs road ride 102 miles February 08, 2025. I followed Dr. Chikwe's advice to keep heart rate under 130 BPM. Good ride about 8 hours / 13 mph average. No adverse events."

Hello! My name is Dr. Craig Baker and I am a cardiac surgeon having graduated from Georgetown University in 1995. To date, I have performed approximately 5,000 cardiac surgeries, of which most involved heart valve procedures. I regularly perform surgery at hospitals including USC Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Keck Hospital, and Keck Hospital of Arcadia. Read more...
I believe my greatest strength is efficiency and precision in which I conduct an operation. Having trained in both adult and pediatric heart surgery allows me to offer the full spectrum of available therapies. I perform all aspects of valve surgery including complex mitral repairs, redo operations, and aortic root procedures including valve sparring and Ross operations. Practicing in an academic environment affords me the opportunity to offer leading technologies at the forefront of care.
I take a sincere interest in my patients and truly understand the impact and stress of heart related health problems. I have absolute confidence in my abilities to interpret diagnostic studies and provide therapy which is often lifesaving and immediately improves quality of life. One of the most rewarding aspects of being a cardiac surgeon is seeing the patient return in just a few weeks with renewed enthusiasm and energy.

Upcoming Patient Surgeries



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Welcome to recovery

It is still early days after your surgery .
Each person ‘s recover is different .
Are you eating enough ? Are you... Read more
Welcome to recovery

It is still early days after your surgery .
Each person ‘s recover is different .
Are you eating enough ? Are you having enough protein ? Are you eating a balanced diet with enough iron ?
Do you think you ? might be a bit anaemic . Make sure that you drink enough fluids .
Are you listening to your body and sleeping enough ? Are you pacing yourself ?
You are doing really well . "

Congratulations on your sixth anniversary



Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
Your experience is totally normal.
I felt like my heart was shaking the wh ... Read more
Your experience is totally normal.
I felt like my heart was shaking the whole bed right after surgery for a little while. It will calm or maybe one just gets used to the new normal.
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

“I just went in for an annual check-up. After listening to my heart, my doctor told me I had a heart murmur. I never knew I had a heart murmur, and I didn’t know much about them. The images ... Read more.
“I just went in for an annual check-up. After listening to my heart, my doctor told me I had a heart murmur. I never knew I had a heart murmur, and I didn’t know much about them. The images showed that I had a severe mitral valve prolapse.
We made the decision, at the time, to keep an eye on it for a year because I had no symptoms. Based on my second echocardiogram, it was determined that my mitral valve prolapse had progressed, and it was time for surgery. Now, I am ecstatic to say that my wife and I just returned from a 10-day holiday in Saint Lucia which included four scuba dives.
Dr. Castillo-Sang gave me the confidence that I would be able to dive again, and he was 100% correct."
-- Gary Fabre, heart valve patient
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.


He received a 27mm bovine valve, a new aortic stem and ascending aorta, and replaced the lower portion of his aortic arch.
The most bothersome part of home recovery- he had huge (3 inch) blisters on his feet due to swelling so while that skin heals it has been tricky trying to get shoes to fit so he could walk outside. He's up to a 30 min half mile twice a day- still with his walker for confidence and support. Sleeping through the night with no meds, great blood pressure, appetite is back, weight back to pre surgery, he's never complained of any chest pain except when he sneezes or coughs. Still keeping an eye on effusion and kidney function. All in all our one week check in was thumbs up!




years old and my friends is 8. She’s already scheduled to replace. I’m wondering ...Read more
years old and my friends is 8. She’s already scheduled to replace. I’m wondering what most patients are doing as replacement?
The FDA considers early failure of valves as 5 years or less:
https://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/clinical/structural-heart-disease/abbott-pulls-trifecta-heart-valves-market-due-early-deterioration
Best Wishes



Moderate Aortic Stenosis Risks: What Should Patients Know?
Doctor Interviewed:
Dr. Ibrahim Sultan
Moderate Aortic Stenosis Risks: What Should Patients Know?
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
I just spoke to Dr Johnston myself yesterday about doing my tricuspid repair. I guess I can go with Dr Malaisrie or Dr Johnston.
I wonder about your... Read more
I just spoke to Dr Johnston myself yesterday about doing my tricuspid repair. I guess I can go with Dr Malaisrie or Dr Johnston.
I wonder about your experience with Northwestern and how you've been doing with treatment. I am so sorry I have not seen your posts or story until now. You are an inspiration and I truly hope and pray everything goes as planned and you come out the other side with everything running well and no complications! You will do great!!! Please let me know how you are when you are able, and know you will be in my thoughts tomorrow and beyond


Please reach out if you ever want to talk or have someone to listen to any concerns, questions or just to say hello.
No sweat! You are a pro and you've got this



Big News! In case you missed it, the new SMART Clinical Trial just revealed... Read More.
Aortic valve stenosis is the narrowing of the aortic valve and is classified as... Read More.
Best ...Read more
Best wishes from Scotland."
I still like getting an annual echo for peace of mind, but it isn't really ...Read more
I still like getting an annual echo for peace of mind, but it isn't really necessary. My cardiologists tell me my valve is all good, but they're happy enough to see me if I want. My other doctors say they can't tell from the stethoscope that I ever had a valve defect, but they believe me when I show them the scar (although it's pretty faint -- I was kind of fond of it as a souvenir).
I moved from Chicago to Seattle a few years ago (and found a new cardiologist here by referral from my Northwestern cardio guy). The hiking and skiing opportunities are far better in Seattle than Chicago!
Good luck to all those with upcoming surgeries: heart valve repair is such an empowering inflection point in your health. It was so satisfying in its success and finality for me.
I've since found a sneakier and more vague health problem. I'm not fundamentally optimistic about fighting a vague, progressive problem (with therapy with a success rate way worse than mitral valve repair); but I remind people how chipper and empowered I was by the success of my valve surgery and my healing course in the following months. So the odd flipside of fixing these fixable valve problems is that we live to see other unrelated health problems! I'll take it.

Hello! My name is Dr. Craig Baker and I am a cardiac surgeon having graduated from Georgetown University in 1995. To date, I have performed approximately 5,000 cardiac surgeries, of which most involved heart valve procedures. I regularly perform surgery at hospitals including USC Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Keck Hospital, and Keck Hospital of Arcadia. Read more...
I believe my greatest strength is efficiency and precision in which I conduct an operation. Having trained in both adult and pediatric heart surgery allows me to offer the full spectrum of available therapies. I perform all aspects of valve surgery including complex mitral repairs, redo operations, and aortic root procedures including valve sparring and Ross operations. Practicing in an academic environment affords me the opportunity to offer leading technologies at the forefront of care.
I take a sincere interest in my patients and truly understand the impact and stress of heart related health problems. I have absolute confidence in my abilities to interpret diagnostic studies and provide therapy which is often lifesaving and immediately improves quality of life. One of the most rewarding aspects of being a cardiac surgeon is seeing the patient return in just a few weeks with renewed enthusiasm and energy.
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
I'm not a praying man, so I'll ...Read more
I'm not a praying man, so I'll just say "best of luck..." I look forward to hearing how the experience goes! "

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
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Surgeon Spotlight
Dr. Chikwe is a world-renowned heart valve surgeon that has performed thousands of heart valve operations that include minimally-invasive techniques.