About Dr. Kevin Landolfo,
Heart Valve Surgeon

"When I first learned of how involved the surgery was, I turned white. Dr. Landolfo held nothing back during our first consult. "You will be on a bypass machine, your chest will be opened, and a new mechanical valve will be sewn in. Make no mistake this is a major surgery." I was under some crazy false impression he could go in through my leg and I would be home in a couple days. I appreciated the honesty. I do not want a Dr. to put pleasantries first. I only want facts and knowledge. If the Dr. is a nice guy so be it. Dr. Landolfo happens to be a great man who comes across as experienced, confident, and extremely well educated.

My first surgical date was delayed a week. Someone with greater priority was in need. I was cool with that. On a scale - my procedure paled in comparison to some other patients. I was the first surgery scheduled when my day arrived. I hugged my wife goodbye and felt very defeated as I lay down in the surgical bed. As I was being shaved I felt a sense of resignation to whatever unknown was coming. Then I was out. That anesthesiologist snuck one in me good. Looking back I appreciated it. I have no recollection of being injected with anything. I was out like a light.

I woke up to the Dr. asking me to squeeze his hands. I was very thirsty. I was so happy my wife was allowed in to feed me sponges of water as I lay there completely hapless, and weak. There was NO PAIN. None. I was a bit uncomfortable, and felt very tired. Everyone around me paid close attention to me. They even made me laugh. I could not have received a better post op wake-up. So kind of them to let my wife be a part of that. Her presence really put me at ease.

I was hoisted with a crane into a new bed. I could not walk. Then taken to the ICU. The staff there were wonderful. The room was quiet and really comfortable to be in. Still NO PAIN which was amazing. I was in the ICU for 5 days. Evidently there was some difficulty with my surgery where I lost a lot of blood. My wife filled me in several days later. I had crashed. She told me the doctors didn't sleep a wink that night. They were methodical and knew exactly what they were doing. They did not panic when my heart stopped. My wife was nervous, but the attending physicians gave her the confidence she needed to know I would be OK.

I had great difficulty the first few days standing up and taking those first few steps. The staff were wonderful and very professional. I was embarrassed at having to ask for help in going to the bathroom. No one wants to do that. The staff did not make me feel inadequate or a burden. They re-assured me and provided all I needed with as much privacy that was available to be had.

Once I could eat, I was really taken by the quality of the food service. It was fantastic. Whomever runs that kitchen is really good at their job. Everything was great. My first meal was a little light on substance. I ordered two slices of toast with butter. That is all I could handle. The kitchen made it up and brought it up right away. I then worked my way into the Thai food, and other items. The smoothies were especially good.

The person with the hardest job there I think was the respiratory therapist. Boy I didn't like to see them. Not because they were off putting, but because the workout I needed to prevent pneumonia was a hard one. It needed to be done. They made the best of a bad situation. All of them were great.

The in room movies were very helpful. Especially the good internet services. I had my laptop and watched movies, and ran my sleep videos at night. Again NO PAIN. I survived on Tylenol. I was really amazed how little pain I was in for just having been cut open. Really quite impressive. I spoke with as many of the staff as I could. I was struck at how all of them are taken with the abilities of the Mayo Clinic to say yes we can, when other hospitals have said no. There were people from all over with far far greater issues than I was confronting. All of them, and I mean ALL of them were proud to be a part of this MAYO team of miracle workers. It made me feel so very good about the care I was receiving. I enjoyed watching the video documentary of the MAYO clinic as well. Really amazing stuff going on there.

After 10 days, I really wanted to get out of there. I wanted to go home. I had healing to get on top of, and I wanted to be in my own bed. My discharge was fast. I was happy I didn't have to wait around for hours to get things processed. I am now all clear to resume full activities. I follow up with MAYO as directed by my team, and feel wonderful. I cannot express enough how confident I am in the MAYO clinic. I find myself talking about the place to others all the time. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. "

-- John Mark Reimer, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 03/29/2021

"I am very pleased with everything related to my heart surgery before, during ,and after my procedure. Doctor Landolfo and the entire Mayo staff were terrific and made me feel very safe and comfortable throughout it all. I feel wonderful now, 5 months post-op, and I am truly grateful for Robyn Reese, my primary physician, for discovering the valve and aneurysm issue and for Dr Landolfo for resolving the problems."

-- Jean Florey, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 02/23/2021

"After what I thought was going to be a routine cardio check up I learned that my Aortic valve had deteriorated significantly requiring nearly immediate surgery. After a detailed discussion about my life style and goals Dr. Landolfo made the recommendation to use a bovine valve. He explained the process in detail. At no time was I concerned that the surgery and outcome was in question. I had complete confidence in Dr. Landolfo and his team at the Mayo Clinic. Thanks to Dr. Landolfo and the Mayo Clinic team six months after surgery I am back to a very active lifestyle planning my around the world sailing adventure! "

-- Michael Doherty, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 02/08/2021

"I knew a new valve was inevitable because of deterioration over the years. Because I lived over 200 miles from Mayo, several Zoom meetings with Dr. Landolfo and team members describing what was about to happen in the OR and their pursuit of quality and their confidence in success helped me to relax."

-- Robert Mason, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 06/11/2020

"I was referred to Dr. Kevin Landolfo, Mayo’s chair of cardiothoracic surgery, and he saved my life. Everything about Dr. Landolfo exemplified the gold standard, from his being attentive and compassionate to exuding gentle confidence and expertly performing the second surgery. He is quick to shine a light on his care team, who was also wonderful. On a pre-surgery visit he suggested that I spend the night at Mayo as he sensed there might be a cause of concern. I agreed, having complete faith in Dr Landolfo. The test results verified his intuition, and he pushed up the surgery date. The day after surgery he came to visit and showed me a photograph on his cell phone–of two blood clots at my heart that he removed. The new valve functions excellently and I’m back to five mile nearly daily jogs."

-- Gary Monroe, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 05/26/2020

"I am extremely grateful to Dr. Landolfo for repairing (not replacing) my mitral valve. Dr. Landolfo was patient and thorough, and he carefully explained what he was going to do and how. The post-surgical care I received at Mayo Clinic was topnotch, both in the ICU and on the cardiology ward. I wish I lived closer to Mayo Clinic facilities as the care I receive locally cannot begin to compare with what I received at the Mayo Clinic."

-- Jan Jennings, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 01/09/2020

"I came to Mayo to consult with Dr. Kevin Landolfo in 2019 after being told by my cardiologist that I needed mitral valve replacement at age 53 - a frightening proposition for anyone. Dr. Landolfo and his staff were wonderful. He told me he thought he could repair the valve, and he did, repairing the valve during surgery with a median sternotomy. I did have complications during surgery resulting in lactic acidosis and an extended period of time under anesthesia. The doctors and nurses in the cardiac intensive care unit after surgery were incredible - they saved my life. Mayo was the right choice for me. I now feel like I have more energy than I have had since I was in my teens. My wife and I call Dr. Landolfo the "valve whisperer"."

-- William Johnson, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 10/10/2019

"My experience with Dr. Landolfo and his associates can be described as nothing less than amazing. From my initial consult thru several tests and the eventual surgery I had no question unanswered, my fears set to rest and I knew exactly what to expect. I was one of the lucky ones to have my pre/post surgery and rehab monitored by Mayo. The recovery was a bit more difficult than expected (I thought I was super women and would be back to normal within 6 months) but 2 years out and Im back to doing everything and more! I thank God everyday for Dr. Landolfo, his associates and everyone who had a hand in my surgery experience."

-- Sandy Loppatto, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 07/22/2019

"Dr. Landolfo performed my open-heart surgery to correct severe mitral valve regurgitation and bypass a 60% blockage in my LAD coronary artery in May 2019. I was moderately active before the surgery regular exercise, bicycling, and sailing. My hospital experience was good and I was in and out in one week. I recovered fully and was enjoying the same activities within 6 months."

-- Peter Denoncourt, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 05/10/2019

"I got 4 surgical opinions from 4 leading valve surgery hospitals which all no doubt had skills and experience necessary, but Dr. Landolfo was the one, along with the Mayo Clinic team and philosophy, gave me the confidence to proceed - I have no doubt if I would have been at a lesser hospital or stayed local or wouldn’t be here today to thank Dr. Landolfo and his team for my health."

-- Jane Van Esen, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, Maze Procedure, 11/13/2017

"I interviewed 3 surgeons for my aortic valve replacement and from the first meeting, Dr. Landolfo made me feel very comfortable and went into great detail about the surgery. He took the time to explain all the testing they would do prior to and post surgery. He spoke to me in terms I could understand and answered all of my questions, never making me feel like I was taking up too much of his time. My surgery went well with no surprises and I spent 6 days in the hospital recovering.

Dr. Landolfo is a caring person and had performed thousands of valve replacements. He, his nurse and all the staff at Mayo Clinic were fabulous. I don't recommend having this surgery but if you have to, I highly recommend Dr. Landolfo and the Mayo Clinic!"

-- Carole Chakford, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 03/31/2016

"Happy with results with Dr. Landolfo and the Mayo Clinic."

-- Bebe Kraus, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 03/17/2010

"From the first day I met him, Dr. Landolfo treated me as if I was his only patient - responded to all of my questions, presented me solutions for new aortic valve, and did an amazing job with the surgery - I recovered in no time with no complications! He is the best!"

-- Mario Stanic, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 07/23/2009

"Dr. Landolfo explained everything to me and took great interest in me personally. I think he is the greatest."

-- Ken King, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Root Replacement, 02/17/2009