About Dr. Betty Kim,
Heart Valve Surgeon

"Dr. Betty Kim restored my quality of life. I was experiencing severe regurgitation (4+ on a scale of 1 to 4) due to mitral valve prolapse which had progressively gotten worse since surfacing during an exam over ten years ago. Additionally, one of the chords had ruptured.

While meeting with Dr. Kim [pre-op] she said that the intervention would result in the regurgitation being less than 1 after the surgery had been completed and she would be able to use a minimally invasive procedure. Also, there may need to be decisions made once she was able to look at my heart during the operation (she covered those options too). Dr. Kim stopped by to meet with me and my family before the surgery.

I had no doubts about everything going well and was at peace as I entered the OR. I again saw Dr. Kim a few days later (she checked on me several times), she said she initially repaired the valve but wasn't satisfied with the result. So, she moved forward with replacing the valve.

I'm so happy she did and that she was my surgeon. I'm feeling great and very thankful for Dr. Kim (and her team)! Dr. Kim is awesome!!! Thank you!!!"

-- Robert Troudt, Mitral Valve, Valve Replacement, 02/22/2024

"I had my aortic valve replaced by Dr. Kim and her team in June of 2022. I was amazed that the procedure could be done with minimal pain and that I avoided going on the heart lung bypass machine.

Before my surgery I was very sick. I could not even walk in my trilevel home due to feeling so short of air. I also had severe fatigue which kept me from enjoying my favorite activities and leaving my home. When I heard about the minimally invasive procedure it seems like a good fit for me because I knew I needed my valve fixed but I was scared about undergoing a big procedure requiring a large incision and general anesthesia.

Dr. Kim’s team helped guide me through the process of testing and I was able to quickly undergo my procedure. Dr Kim expertly used my carotid artery as the access point to allow a minimally invasive catheter based valve to be placed in my old aortic valve. The anesthesiologist used moderate sedation and I was able to breathe on my own without a ventilator. I was moved quickly from the operating room and I spent only one night in the hospital.

Since coming home, I have gained more strength and endurance with the help of cardiac rehabilitation. I am now able to get out of my home and enjoy my family again without feeling so short of breath. Everyone tells me that I have so much more color and life in my face since the surgery. I am so thankful that I underwent this procedure by Dr Kim and her expert team at Penrose Hospital. "

-- Ralph Gustafson, Aortic Valve, Transcatheter, 06/15/2022

> See 2 more patient testimonials