About Dr. Laura DiChiacchio,
Heart Surgeon

"I already knew that I needed heart valve surgery. But, when I started to experience shortness of breath and lightheadedness, I knew it was time. I went straight to Cedars-Sinai, where I was extremely lucky that Dr. Laura DiChiacchio was assigned to me.

Communication is vital in confronting life-threatening challenges, and Dr. DiChiacchio has great communication skills. She outlined the entire procedure in great detail. She visited me with her cardiac care team almost daily. Dr. DiChiacchio was wonderful in confronting my heart valve issues. Her explanation was thorough as she outlined the operation; the risks involved; and how I would recover and feel afterwards.

After successful surgery, Dr. DiChiacchio told me that she had given me a new heart valve. A few days after surgery, I was discharged to rehab. Recovery was a slow process, but what got me through it was my wonderful relationship with Dr. DiChiacchio.

Symptoms disappeared, which told me that Dr. DiChiacchio performed brilliantly as a surgeon. I was no longer breathless as my blood oxygen level reached 96-99%. I recommend Dr. DiChiacchio 100%. Her bedside manner and clarity in speaking are outstanding. Her optimism and positivity are a source of strength.

When you combine all of this with a surgeon who is so personable and such a pleasure to see, then you know you've found the right surgeon. And in Dr. DiChiacchio — I did. And you will too!"

"The pain in my chest was crushing. It felt like something was squeezing my heart. The heart echo showed that I had a leaky valve and irregular movement of my blood. I was immediately scheduled for surgery in another city. But my daughter is a nurse at Cedars, and wanted me to go there, even though it was over 100 miles away. I was immediately admitted to Cedars.

On my second day, I met Dr. DiChiacchio. I was trying to make up my mind about surgery. Three of my arteries were blocked and my aortic valve was failing. I would wake up at 2 or 3 am in pain. I didn’t want to die. And didn’t want to wait to get help. But it’s still a scary decision. This is where Dr. DiChiacchio really helped me. She is warm and compassionate and gave me confidence. My doubts disappeared. She made me know – “she’s the one.” I was in good hands. So, I decided to have surgery.

Throughout my experience, everyone at Cedars was wonderful. Zoe Jordon, Dr. DiChiacchio’s nurse practitioner, was so helpful. Dr. DiChiacchio and Zoe visited me every day in the ICU and on the regular floor. Julius Har, a nursing assistant, also took great care of me and I am so grateful for his commitment and dedication to his job. All the nurses were Class A – simply the best. I couldn’t have been better cared for. Arriving in the ICU after surgery, I noticed I could breathe again. And the crushing heart pain was gone. Seven months after surgery, things are more normal. I’m doing my own cardiac rehab by walking, riding my stationary bike, and doing light exercise. When standing up made me dizzy, I asked my cardiologist, Dr. Stern, to adjust my blood pressure medication.

Surgery has given me perspective: moving ahead, I’ve decided that my health will be my top priority. I just want Dr. DiChiacchio to know how grateful I am. She’s a great person. And if my artificial heart valve means that I’ll need surgery again in 15 years to replace it, then I will go out of my way to have Dr. DiChiacchio be my surgeon again. The best way I can recommend her to you is to let you know that I still recommend her to myself."