Dave's Posts

My local cardiologist encouraged me to travel to a top ranked hospital and it provides me peace of mind knowing I am going to one of the best. Travel costs are an issue. Also, having loved ones close by for support. I chose a highly ranked hospital close to family but a plane ride from home. I don't have a support network in Cleveland and that was a sticking point.

Cleveland Clinic is not covered by my insurance. None of the surgeons who work at Cleveland Clinic were covered by my insurance. There are a number of highly ranked hospitals in cardiac care. Additionally, if you read through many of the journals on this board, you will see that recovery does not always go smoothly with the surgeries at Cleveland Clinic and that there have been complaints about after surgery care there too.

I believe there are many heart hospitals right up there with Cleveland Clinic. Many surgeons from Cleveland go on to other hospitals. For instance, I live in Virginia and had my surgery in Virginia. My imaging physician who did my CT scan and measuring of my valve etc. had spent many years at Cleveland Clinic. I believe you research different options and decide what you are most comfortable with. There are many trails which lead to a successful outcome. Prayers your way as you start this journey.

My opinion is that there are great surgeons all over the place so comes down to the details of whether your willing to travel, and what specific procedure you want done. I live in Minneapolis and am going to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN because its a high volume facility and only 1.5 hr drive from my house. I looked into Cleveland Clinic but didn't think there was much benefit of travelling that far. I also have a wife and 3 year old at home so that factored into my decision as well. The more I research this the more comfortable I get with heart surgery being a relatively routine surgery that can be successfully performed at many hospitals.

Thanks Willie, I have similar issues helping me decide (my wife and the distance to the hospital). In addition, like you, my online research seems to indicate that an experienced heart surgeon and an excellent hospital can deliver positive results just about anywhere from Maine to California. I'm looking at an aortic valve replacement and an ascending aortic artery replacement.

I think it all has to do with what your situation is and how comfortable you are with your surgeon. I was told over and over that OHS and valve replacements are pretty routine surgeries these days, yes, big surgeries, but routine. Still, I interviewed 3 physicians in the Boston area that had the experience in doing them. Boston has great hospitals so I'm lucky to have it in my backyard. But this doesn't mean that a hospital in Maine wont have the same skilled surgeons.. You just need to do the back work of finding out about them and what they have or haven't done in their career.

I'm comforted to hear that despite the fact that these surgeries are "Big", they are also considered routine by the teams that do them.... My surgeon is Dr. Paul Weldner who was a heart surgeon at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine for 18 years. He's been at Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute for 4 years now.

I think 20-30 years ago it would have been a good idea to go to Cleveland Clinic. I live in Atlanta and our city has good hospitals and great surgeons. If anyone asked me 15 or 20 years ago if I would have heart valve surgery at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta GA I would have laughed! However after a dx of afib/flutter and seeing the Doctor's who work out of Kennestone, I was pleased with the cardiologists. I had an ablation a year ago and was very happy with the hospital, my EP and the entire office of my EP. When it was determined the afib/flutter was coming from my my mitral valve that was severly regurgitating, I was referred to the Structural heart cardiology dept. I very much liked the surgeon and determined I need look no further. My surgeon, Dr. Richard Myung has surgeon's fly in each week to watch his procedure. There were doctor's observing my surgery. I felt in good hands and I was. after all that, I would agree with other's that heart surgery is common place and yes it is a big deal. However, good surgeon's are everywhere! Hope this helps!

To everyone above: Thank you for your responses to Dave -- and to Dave for asking the question. As someone who has yet to decide which surgeon and hospital to choose for aortic valve surgery, all of your responses are helpful to me and to those like me whose surgery is sometime in the future. I have no choice but to travel for this surgery, so your insights are very helpful.

Interesting topic...when I first came here almost 2 years ago there was so much talk of the Cleveland clinic & that's where I thought I needed to be. But I have an hmo & that was not in my network - if I had gone there I would have had to pay entirely out of pocket- not an option for me! I have since done my own research & take those rankings- hospitals, doctors with a grain of salt. They are simply too easily skewed You've chosen an excellent surgeon. My experience at Maine Medical was wonderful, I could find no fault with anyone I dealt with & it was great to be close to home & benefit from the support of my family & friends- it lessened my stress & I think that's worth a lot. I'm in the camp that there are great surgeons, nurses & hospitals everywhere - I'm glad I stayed close to home!

This is a great question, and I, too was preparing for the possibility of traveling to Cleveland Clinic or Cedars Mt. Sinai Hospital in NY. I'm sure many people will offer their insights on this wonderful heart journal. As I continued to do research, I found a local, California Bay Area surgeon who was well known in heart valve repair/replacement. His team at Sequoia Hospital has some very prestigious outcomes for valve procedures, and also discovered that he is the ONLY West Coast affiliate of Cleveland Clinic. After discussing the pros and cons of traveling for surgery and follow up care, I decided that it was optimal for me to have my surgeon, hospital and cardiologist all in the same vicinity to where I live. The fact that this was possible, helped me find peace of mind. I don't know what restrictions are after surgery, but I'm not sure if you can hop on a plane super easily with post-op heart complications- so that might be something to think about. I came from another insurance system, so my new cardiologist was actually referred to me by my surgeon. I felt lucky to have found Adam's website, the trusted surgeon guide, and told about published outcomes... these things helped me make the right decision for myself. I wish the same for you.

I'm sure the Cleveland Clinic is great but I agree with others that there are plenty of hospitals and surgeons in the US who are just as good if not better. I'd put my surgeon, Dr Peter Pavlina, up against anyone - anywhere. I think the key is to do your diligence in research and then feel comfortable with your decision.

Haven't had my surgery yet but leading up to it UPMC in Pittsburgh the valve center has been excellent as far as communication and the procedures I have had thus far. Of course my insurance is through them and being that everything is covered, is also a big worry off my mind. Having family right in town helps too. As a nurse I know that anyone can have a good or bad experience anywhere, it is good to become educated yourself and also educate your families of things to watch for on your behalf.