James Chao is an athlete, so he knows how to strive for something better. A better time in the bike races in which he’s competed. A better level of fitness in his training. So when his energy started to wane, it is unsurprising that he wanted to address it right away in the best way possible.
Doctors in Bend, Ore., where he lives detected a heart murmur and diagnosed mitral valve prolapse. Put simply, the valve between the two left chambers of his heart did not close properly so blood was leaking in the wrong direction. James’ mitral valve regurgitation (also referred to as mitral insufficiency) was not life-threatening, but it was slowing James down and would continue to do so over time. He could let that happen, or he could strive for something better.
“Heart surgery is substantial, so there was some trepidation there. But at the same time, I did believe that I’m not getting younger. It is better to have this done while younger. I’m pretty active, and being tired was affecting my quality of life,” said James, 58.
When James began interviewing physicians in Oregon, they discussed invasive options, such as a sternotomy, which involves sawing the breastbone in half and is a 2-3 month recovery. James decided to look for a different option.
Having lived in South Orange County for several years before moving to Oregon, James had an idea of where to look.
“The name Hoag is synonymous with quality,” James said. “I was hoping to go a less aggressive route than sternotomy, and a friend of my father’s recommended Dr. Shah.”
Asad Shah, M.D., is Chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery and Director of Robotic Cardiac Surgery at Hoag and a member one of the premier and highest volume cardiothoracic surgery groups in California. His department has some of the best outcomes in the nation, as evidenced by star ratings from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and quality ratings by the state of California.
Internet searches and word-of-mouth gave James confidence in Dr. Shah. And a telehealth visit confirmed for James that Dr. Shah was not just the “better” surgeon that James had been striving for, but possibly the best.
“When I talked to Dr. Shah, we discussed all of the different options for mitral valve repair,” James said. “Dr. Shah’s minimally-invasive approach, using robotic surgery to come in from the side, rather than open heart surgery made a lot more sense to me and was the reason I chose to travel to California for my care.”
Hoag’s Jeffery M. Carlton Heart & Vascular Institute is home to experts in mitral valve repair, replacement and minimally invasive surgery, as well as clinical trials and cutting-edge technology. “Whatever approach is best for the patient, Hoag can offer it,” Dr. Shah said.
“Hoag’s expert cardiac surgery team is the highest-volume heart valve program in Orange County,” Dr. Shah said.
Hoag offers open heart surgery, and for some patients, that is the appropriate method. But James and Dr. Shah worked together to determine a different path. James’ minimally invasive robotic surgery resulted in a fast recovery and minimal pain. Two days after surgery, he stopped taking Tylenol. Two months after surgery, he was back on his bike.
“I was surprised,” he said. “The pain subsided quickly.”
James stayed in parents’ home in San Clemente for a few weeks until he was well enough to return home to his family in Oregon. Hoag At Home provided in-home care, including blood tests and physical therapy that helped him get back to his life.
James has returned to Oregon, but is continuing his follow-up care remotely through telehealth, including his care with interventional cardiologist Kevin Kheder, M.D.
“He’s very personable. My mom loved him,” James said. “I saw him at Hoag every day. Circulating, talking to people.”
James is appreciative that he played a role in deciding the course of his own care. Seeking out an innovative approach only available at a handful of hospitals nationwide, this minimally invasive procedure using the advanced da Vinci robotic surgical system gave James the peace of mind that he was addressing his medical issue in the most advanced, precise and effective way possible.
“It seemed more modern, more current,” he said. “At the same time, it’s been around enough that you don’t feel like you’re being tested on. Hoag’s credentials are second to none.”
James said his energy has returned, and his exercise regime is picking back up. Four months after surgery, James is back to walking or riding six days a week. He recently went on a 50-mile ride on a Saturday followed by an 8-mile hike the next day.
He’s trying not to push himself too hard, too quickly. At the same time, he is not about to sit around. James chose this advanced, innovative surgery. And now he’s choosing to stick to what he knows best: striving for something better.
