About Dr. Laura DiChiacchio,
Heart Valve 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!"

-- Michael Benesch, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 11/24/2025

"Having sepsis is tough. It’s hard to describe how I felt. Sepsis – an infection of the blood stream affecting my entire body - was a new experience. I was feeling funny and out of sorts. I was always feeling tired and resting a lot. Yet, my sleeping and eating were both off. I had a kidney transplant 8 years before and was experiencing organ rejection.

My nephrologist took all types of X-rays and MRI’s. That’s when he said I needed surgery on both my aortic and mitral valves and had me see Dr. Laura DiChiacchio, a surgeon who could help. Dr. DiChiacchio is cool. She is more informative than most surgeons and made me feel that she could do my surgery. The first thing she cured was my stress and I came away feeling comfortable. She made me realize that surgery could change how I felt. Right after surgery, of course, you feel icky. But after a week, I started feeling a whole lot better. I kept walking just a bit farther each day. I got a lot of rest and was able to relax and just like Dr. DiChiacchio said, I started to feel strong again.

I later learned that Dr. Emerson did my mitral valve, and he did great work, too. I’m still waiting for another kidney transplant. But my heart problems are gone. All the surgery I’ve had in my life has taught me what matters in a surgeon. I need a surgeon who sees me as a whole person. Some surgeons just look at you with dollar signs in their eyes. But Dr. DiChiacchio looks at me and just has me in her eyes. She made me feel that it is me who matters. She gave me the confidence that she would do good work – and she did. I can’t recommend any surgeon more than that."

-- Erik Betts, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Valve Replacement, 10/03/2025