About Dr. Isaac George,
Heart Valve Surgeon

"Dr George explained in detail why I needed the surgery and what the surgery entailed. I’m at week 6 and even though I’m tired sometimes, I’m doing really well. I would recommend Dr. George and his nurse practitioner Maureen Gaines to anyone needing surgery. "

-- Kellie Bodrato, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 01/12/2024

"I received an aortic heart valve replacement, a condition I put off for years. Dr. Isaac George would be my third opinion. Dr. George was extremely detailed in his explanation of the surgery.

The procedure of the surgery itself went as smoothly as it was explained to me and the after care I received was outstanding and informative. From the doctors to the nursing staff I could not have asked for a better experience for a very scary condition.

The surgery was a success and my recovery ❤️‍🩹 could not have turned out better. Within 48 hours, I was on my feet and walking. I highly recommend Dr. Isaac George, his surgical team and the staff at NY Columbia/ Presbyterian Hospital."

-- Jun Shouse, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 09/13/2023

"Dr. George was extremely helpful before and after surgery. Explained everything in a clear and concise manner."

-- Carol Cohn, Mitral Valve, Valve Replacement, 04/13/2023

"Dr. George is kind, competent, soft spoken and knowledgeable with excellent results."

-- Murray Morrison, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 04/12/2023

"Excellent. He was highly recommended and he performed above my expectations. Everyone asked about how painful the procedure was and then after. I actually had zero pain and thought that was the norm but the norm is, apparently, quite a bit of pain. I credit Dr. George with a really great operation to let me avoid pain. His bedside manner was good but we had very little bedside contact."

-- Barry Kopleff, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 01/11/2023

"Dr. George is extremely confident and intelligent. He is a compassionate physician with great bed side manner. Dr. George is the best in the business!"

-- David Dominick, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 08/03/2022

"I first met Dr. George by way of a Zoom meeting. Dr. George was quiet and serious when he spoke with me. He answered my questions, which assisted me in making the decision to have open heart surgery with a metal replacement valve, rather than the TAVR procedure.

I've had two prior heart surgeries and he gave me information on the success rates for open heart surgery in 7 -12 years from now, which would be necessitated by a TAVR replacement now. His information allowed me to feel confident about my decision to undergo a third open heart surgery.

The surgery went well and was an easier procedure than he had anticipated. When I came out of anesthesia he was standing at the end of my bed. I saw this serious man smile and I knew things had gone well."

-- Cynthia Richards, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 06/23/2022

"Dr. George was very cool, calm and collected. His physician assistants and staff were top notch. I only saw him three times besides an initial video consult. He is a very busy guy."

-- William (Randy) Tankoos, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 05/14/2022

"I was lucky to be referred to Dr. George for a complex open heart surgery to fix aortic aneurysm, aortic valve and (as a bonus discovered during diagnostic tests for the former two) coronary artery blockage requiring CABG.

He had the rare (and excellent) skills to perform all three in one procedure, and the surgery went off perfectly. As a bonus, I found him (despite his very busy schedule) to be attentive, responsive and a wonderful human being. Plus he has great staff and assistants in his team at Columbia NYP. Epilogue: It's now been 18 months since my complex surgery. All went well.

I had three follow up visits with Dr. George, the last one a year ago, and don't need any more. My cardiologist says I'm doing very well, with the valve (and the other replacement parts!) all working great."

-- Sandip Madan, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Root Replacement, 04/01/2022

"Dr. George was very reassuring before the surgery. He explained things very clearly. The surgery was very successful. My heart is better than ever!"

-- Frank Burrows , Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 12/16/2021

"I am overwhelmed and still in disbelief how wonderful Dr. George and his staff were to me. I am alive because of Dr. George. I would not let anyone else touch me or treat me. He is the BEST!!!"

-- Patrick Purcell, Pulmonary Valve, 01/02/2020

"Dr. George is the kindest doctor that I ever met. He is so knowledgeable and professional and is a silent giant. When he told me that I had to have open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve, I was so scared being that I was 81 years old.

He assured me that he could do the surgery. He visited me every day in the hospital with his team and was so down to earth when they talked to me. It is now 4 months after the surgery and I'm able to walk 5,000 steps. I'm on my way to doing everything I used to do. Dr. George saved my life and I will be forever grateful to him."

-- Rita Guarracina, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 12/18/2019

"He saved my life. What more needs to be said after that. His whole team is made up of the very best."

-- Stephen Celestino, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 05/29/2019

"His quiet confidence meant I had NO fear. He said because I was 68, open heart now, 10-15 years from now, when I'm older & not as well, the replacement can be done by TAVR. (If TAVR now, replacement would be open heart.) He is one of 4 in the world trained for open heart & TAVR by the arm."

-- Jackie Cavalia, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 07/25/2018

"Dr. George performed a mitral valve replacement, atrial ablation and a Maze procedure. He and his staff were always available to answer questions. He has been a pioneer in using new technologies in cardiac surgery.

Five months later I was able to climb 625 steps to the top of a church tower in Florence, Italy."

-- Ellen Wolk, Mitral Valve, Valve Replacement, Maze Procedure, 04/11/2018

"I was experiencing some bleeding issues and was scheduled for a diagnostic double-balloon enteroscopy at Columbia University Medical Center. I came to the hospital to do some pre-testing prior to my enteroscopy which revealed that I had a life-threatening condition called aortic stenosis which needed to be treated immediately.

After meeting Dr. Isaac George, who explained to everything to me, I felt very comfortable. He was very calm, extremely patient as he answered all of my questions. The recuperation from surgery took a little bit of time, but following the surgery, I immediately felt better and eight months later I felt great.

Mary thanks Dr. George!"

-- Mary Fernandez, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 06/25/2013

"I was visiting my family in New York City, from my home in the country of Trinidad, when I did not feel well and sought medical care at Columbia University Medical Center. A few years earlier, I had open heart surgery where my mitral valve was replaced by a mechanical valve.

While at Columbia, I learned that my mechanical valve was failing and immediately needed to be replaced. I met with Dr. Isaac George who provided me my options. He suggested a surgical replacement of my mechanical valve. I was very scared to have another surgery, but I found Dr. George to be very reassuring. Dr. George made me feel very comfortable through the entire process, and was extremely patient with me as I took notes of everything he said.

My surgery went extremely well and my recovery was very comfortable. The entire Columbia staff was very good. Approximately 30 days following my procedure and 3 weeks after hospital discharge, I met with Dr. George in his clinic one last time. He discharged me in good health.

I am so very grateful to Dr. George for his excellent care."

-- Annique Cook, Mitral Valve, Valve Replacement, 08/20/2012