Atlanta Surgeons for Aortic Valve Replacement?

[Cathy W.]

I am a 60yr female with a congenital bicuspid aortic valve with sever aortic stenosis. After discussions with my cardiologist I am moving toward aortic valve replacement surgery. Although this is not something that I am looking forward to doing, I am having symptoms that are already limiting my activities and have decided it would be better to go ahead and have the surgery while I am in fairly good shape.
I have a heart cath scheduled in a couple of weeks. Then I need to find a surgeon. My cardiologist has recommended Dr. David Langford at the Gwinnett Medical Strickland Heart Center. I have done a little research on doctors at Emory, Piedmont, and St. Joseph Hospital but I have not decided on the best fit for me yet. I live northeast of Atlanta and am wondering if anyone has any recommendation on surgeons in and around the Atlanta area.
Do I need to add that I am really terrified?

 

[Paleowoman]

Hi Cathy -I can't recommend a surgeon in your area, but I see that was your first post on forum - welcome ! I was 60 when I had my aortic valve replaced, also becasue I was born with bicuspid aortic valve. I was completely asymptomatic before surgery and very fit though I had technically severe aortic stenosis. It's quite normal to feel very anxious in the run up to surgery ! Mind you, having to choose a surgeon doesn't help and the sooner you know who you're having and where I should think you may be able to look forward, in a sense, to surgery being done. Is there any reason not to go with your cardiologist's recommendations ?

 

[ejc61]

Hello Cathy,
When I had my MV repair at St. Joseph's, a fellow patient in our little group that day had an AVR by Dr. Langford. He's pretty good. Dr. Chen at Emory is very good. Dr. Murphy at Emory/St.Joseph's is also very good. Atlanta has a lot of good surgeons and several Hospitals to choose from so you picked a good area. In fact, Langford and Murphy worked in the same practice at St. Joseph's before they all split up to start new programs at different hospitals such as Gwinnett Med Ctr, (Dr. Langford) and NE Georgia in Gainesville, (Dr. Wolfe). Some moved to Piedmont as well, Drs Morris Brown and John Gott. It's truly a close little group. Dr. Kauten at Piedmont is very good. I think what you'll find is that surgeons like to specialize in their special area although they can all do many different procedures.
I was pretty terrified also since I had never had surgery before.

 

[Cathy W.]

Thanks so much for the feedback. I am new to the site and there is a lot of wonderful information here. I am so glad that I found it.

I don't know that there is any reason not to go with my cardiologist's recommendations. It is just that I think I might feel more at ease with a surgeon at one of the larger hospitals in Atlanta. St. Joseph's or Emory would be my preference. I know there are a lot of really qualified surgeons in the area, I am probably just overthinking this! And this will be my first surgery as well. Other than having my wisdom teeth cut out at age 20, I have been lucky enough to healthy and accident free.

Now if I could just figure out how to correctly post replies! LOL

 

[ejc61]

I try not to be a commercial for anyone but I have my preferences. I like the bigger hospitals with longer history myself.
Yes I have trouble with typing responses myself.

 

[AZ Don]

When looking for a Dr/Hospital, while I listen to recommendations, I also look for objective information. According to US News, Emory University Hospital is nationally ranked in Cardiology & Heart Surgery, and higher ranked than Emory St. Joseph's. http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/search?city=Atlanta, GA&distance=500&specialty_id=IHQCARD. Although many surgeons and hospitals perform aortic valve replacement, for something as important as heart surgery, you don't want to go just anywhere - that's what my Cardiologist told me.

On Healthgrades, Dr. Langford gets 5 out of 5 stars, though there are only 4 reviews. https://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-david-langford-2n4x5.
From that link you can also select to see reviews of the 110 other Cardiac Surgeons in the Atlanta area. Healthgrades provides patient reviews. I like to combine the input from patients with the listing of the Dr's considered to be in the top 10% of their field. You can get this for a small monthly fee (and can cancel after the first month) from: https://www.castleconnolly.com/.

Re. the surgery, the first couple days I was tired and sore but it got better almost every single day. Within a week I was doing quite well. Given that you are having symptoms you will likely feel better not long after.