NYC Surgeons

[Iang]

Hello,

I am 36 and was born with a bicuspid aortic valve. It has been followed my whole life but was not told I need surgery until just two months ago. I have very few symptoms.

I am now looking for surgeons in New York City and find it confusing. I have seen two who specialize in pediatric/adult congenital heart disorders--they are located in the children's hospital department and see many under 10 year olds. Since I am 36 would these be the right surgeons for me? Does it matter?

Also, the first surgeon I met said, very confidently, that my aorta would not need to be replaced yet the other one said if it was not replaced there is a high chance of reoperation in less than 10 years. He was referring to aortic dilation that measures about 4.5 cm. If this is true then the first surgeon left out an important detail-- one of my goals is to avoid reoperation!

I was just reading that if the aorta measurement is greater than 5 then replacement is considered "reasonable" and more so at 5.5. But the second surgeon seemed to say my aorta is just going to get more and more dilated.

So:
1. Any advice and recommendation for surgeons in NYC? And good questions to ask.
2. What to do about different opinions on aortic dilation?

Thank you!

 

[Franklin]

Leonard Girardi at NYP Cornell. He did my AVR when I was 31. I had the same situation as you - bicuspid since birth, told at 31 I needed surgery. Len Girardi does more AVRs than any other doctor in the world and is a specialist in AVR. The entire staff and Dr. Girardi's team at NYP Cornell is fabulous and the facilities are the best in NYC.

 

[Iang]

Franklin do you also have a cardiologist recommendation?

 

[Franklin]

Sorry got busy at work and didn't reply until now. Dr. Barnard also at NYP Weill Cornell. He's also considered one of the best if not the best cardios in NYC.