From breathless to thriving: how a unique approach to heart procedures gave one man his life back

When Donald Waldo arrived at Loma Linda University Health, even short walks left him struggling to breathe.

"I couldn't walk very far without puffing and huffing," Waldo said. "I knew something was wrong."

Living hours away in Bakersfield, California, and running out of local treatment options, Waldo was referred to Loma Linda University Health for care of a complex combination of heart conditions. What he found was a specialized team equipped to handle some of the most challenging structural heart cases.

Today, Waldo is walking miles, traveling with family, and enjoying a level of independence he once feared he might lose.

A complicated case

Waldo came to Loma Linda University Health with multiple structural heart problems, including complications from a previously replaced aortic valve and a severely leaking tricuspid valve. Together, these conditions made everyday activities difficult.

Amr Mohsen, MD, an interventional cardiologist specializing in structural heart disease at Loma Linda University Health, first met Waldo in May 2024 after his referral from an outside physician.

"At the time I saw him, he was short of breath just walking around at home," Mohsen said. "He had multiple valve problems, and there really were no other options where he lived."

Because traditional open-heart surgery carried significant risks, a standard surgical approach was not ideal. Instead, Mohsen and a multidisciplinary team developed a staged, minimally invasive treatment plan tailored to Waldo's anatomy and condition.

Advanced treatment without open-heart surgery

Rather than opening the chest, physicians used catheter-based procedures performed through a tiny entry point in the groin, about the size of an IV.

The team first addressed Waldo's aortic valve using a specialized technique called valve fracture, allowing doctors to expand a previously implanted, undersized valve.

"That made a difference," Mohsen said, "but it wasn't the end of the story."

Next, the team repaired Waldo's severely leaking tricuspid valve. One complex issue remained: a small hole in the heart located in a delicate area between two valves.

"The hole was tiny, but it caused significant symptoms," Mohsen said. "Reaching it safely required a very careful, novel approach."

Using advanced imaging and customized techniques, the team successfully placed an 8-millimeter device to close the defect. The case later gained national recognition and was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Rapid recovery, immediate impact

Since all procedures were minimally invasive, Waldo's recovery was fast. He was walking the same day and discharged within 24 hours after each procedure.

"In surgery, recovery is about healing large incisions," Mohsen said. "In our case, there's no surgical wound; it's like an IV."

For Waldo, the improvement was immediate. "Every procedure I had, I went home the next day," he said. "Now I can go out and walk miles."

On a recent trip with his daughter, Waldo tracked more than three miles of walking, something that once felt impossible.

Confidence in care

Beyond the outcome, Waldo says trust defined his experience. "They explained what they were going to do, and they did exactly that," he said. "I trusted them."

He also recalls arriving early one morning for a procedure and watching hospital staff pause at the chapel before beginning their day. "That told me everything I needed to know," he said. "That settled me right down."

A larger message

Waldo now encourages others facing complex heart conditions, especially those who are told there are no remaining options, to seek specialized care.

"It was a godsend," he said. "If anyone has a heart problem, go see Dr. Mohsen."

For Mohsen, Waldo's case highlights an important message: "Many patients are told there are no options," he says. "That may not be true at specialized centers."

By sharing innovative techniques through national conferences and peer-reviewed research, Mohsen hopes more patients can benefit.

"Six months ago, there may not have been an option," says Mohsen. "Today, there might be."

A new outlook

Today, Waldo is active, independent, and enjoying everyday life again. "I've got my life back," he said. "And if my story helps someone else, it's worth sharing."

To learn more about advanced structural heart care or to schedule an appointment, visit Loma Linda University Health's International Heart Institute.