Stony Brook Heart Institute Saves Port Jefferson Resident Humberto Cordero from Silent Heart Killer
Humberto Cordero, 49, from Port Jefferson, New York, a physically active male, never thought he would be at risk of an aortic root aneurysm, causing close to 10,000 deaths in the United States annually. An aortic root aneurysm is a life- threatening widening of the aorta, the main artery that carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.
Many people never know they have an aneurysm until they experience sudden pain. Humberto admits that he had no clogged arteries, no symptoms and no pain — nothing prior to a minor fender-bender which took place on June 22, 2025. He began feeling a bit of chest discomfort following the accident. Humberto and his fiancée, Monique, decided to go to Stony Brook University Hospital as a precaution. Extensive testing discovered Humberto was living with an aneurysm larger than 5 centimeters in diameter (about 2 inches).
For long-term health benefits, especially for young, active individuals like Humberto, the importance of preserving the natural (native) aortic valve, which keeps blood flowing in the correct direction, was a key priority.
Humberto received a dual surgery at Stony Brook Medicine on August 8, 2025 — both a valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR) and an aortic valve repair — technically challenging, especially when combined. The VSARR surgery involved extensive preoperative planning with a team of cardiac imaging specialists, as well as real-time measurements during the procedure itself. Specifically, the Stony Brook surgical team used a remodeling technique to replace the enlarged section (the aneurysm) at the aortic root (where the aorta and heart connect). What added to the complexity of the procedure was that a tear was found in Humberto’s aortic valve along with other changes that made it necessary to perform the aortic valve repair, which Stony Brook Heart Institute cardiothoracic surgeon, Maroun Yammine, MD, describes as “reconstructive or plastic surgery of the aortic valve.”
“The main benefit of the dual procedures — valve-sparing aortic root replacement and aortic valve repair — is that it eliminated the risk of having a life-threatening event due to the large aneurysm and allowed the patient to keep their own natural aortic valve. Using the patient’s own tissue to reshape and rebuild the valve has tremendous benefit, especially for someone who, at just 51, is as young and active as Mr. Cordero. Compared to a metallic (artificial) valve, or mechanical heart valve, the patient does not need to commit to lifelong anticoagulation medications known as “blood thinners” and compared to a bioprosthetic valve, which is made from animal tissue, the natural valve will potentially last far longer,” explains Dr. Yammine. The complex surgery went off without a hitch and about one week after arriving at Stony Brook, Humberto Cordero went home.
Humberto is thankful he was in such good hands and has a new appreciation for life as he has survived what could have been a fatal event: “My takeaway from my unexpected heart health journey is that even if you are super fit, have no symptoms and no family history of heart disease, just make it a point to have vascular and heart health screening as a routine wellness measure, because you just never know. And you may not be as lucky as I was to have a fender-bender…”
Today, Humberto’s heart is strong and his aortic valve is working normally. His life- threatening experience has left a lasting impact and purpose to share his story to help others keep their heart healthy and understand the risk for heart disease. I can arrange interviews with Stony Brook Heart Institute patient Humberto Cordero and his Stony Brook Medicine doctors to describe the unique approach to valve-sparing aortic root replacement and aortic valve repair.
