Jose's Story: A Life He Never Thought Possible

Jose Gomes, a 69-year-old from Kearny, New Jersey, spent years battling the debilitating symptoms of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (OHCM) and atrial fibrillation (AFib). Despite his best efforts to manage his condition with medications, Jose’s structural heart condition – caused by HCM, a genetic condition that thickens the heart muscle and creates significant obstruction, impeding the exit of the blood from the heart – was not something medical therapy alone could resolve. In Jose’s case, his symptoms worsened even more due to the presence of atrial fibrillation, an irregular and fast heart rhythm. 

Unfortunately, like many patients with obstructive HCM, Jose had been treated medically for far too long without access to a specialized multidisciplinary HCM team. This delay in appropriate care is not uncommon, as the intricate nature of HCM often requires the expertise of a team skilled in advanced imaging, cardiac electrophysiology, structural heart management, and surgery to provide the optimal treatment path.

When Jose’s condition continued to worsen, leaving him fatigued and short of breath, he knew something had to change, starting the journey to find the right doctor.

That search led Jose to The Valley Hospital, where he was cared for by a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to providing a seamless and comprehensive treatment plan. His journey began with Hussein Rahim, MD, a structural heart specialist who performed a meticulous preoperative assessment of Jose’s hemodynamics—blood flow—ensuring that every detail of his condition was fully understood before surgery. 

A critical part of Jose’s care involved the advanced cardiac imaging team, led by Himanshu Gupta, MD; Isha Verma, MD; and Ernest Chang, MD. Utilizing leading-edge cine-CT, MRI, and preoperative echocardiography, they provided an extraordinary level of anatomic detail about Jose’s heart. “The imaging was so precise that the surgical planning was nearly complete before I even stepped into the operating room,” said Juan B. Grau, MD, Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery at The Valley Hospital.

On May 29, 2024, Dr. Grau performed a septal myectomy procedure, removing the exact area of thickened muscle that created the obstruction. “The surgery was a resounding success, completely eliminating the obstruction. Follow-up assessments revealed no evidence of blockage of blood exiting the heart, either at rest or during exercise,” said Dr. Grau. 

In the weeks following Jose’s septal myectomy, Stephanie Kochav, MD, an electrophysiologist, managed Jose’s persistent atrial fibrillation, stabilizing his heart rhythm by performing catheter ablation, a minimally invasive procedure to eliminate heart tissue that causes irregular heartbeats.

“From the first consultation, I knew I was in the right place,” Jose said. “Dr. Grau didn’t just explain my condition; he made me feel comfortable. He walked me through the procedure, supported by real-life examples and evidence-based results, and made me feel confident in my decision.”

Jose’s recovery has been smooth and steady, thanks to the care provided by the entire team. “I’d highly recommend Valley to anyone looking for high-quality medical care. Valley had some of the most compassionate, caring staff I’ve ever met,” said Jose.

Under the continued care of Dr. Rahim, Dr. Kochav, and Dr. Grau, Jose has experienced significant improvements in his quality of life. “I can now walk up a full flight of stairs without stopping or feeling winded,” Jose said. “I am starting to lead a normal life as I had hoped for.”

For Jose’s daughter, Dora Willis, the transformation has been deeply emotional. “My father has always done everything for his family,” she said. “When it came time to choose a hospital, Valley was the only place I trusted. The care and compassion they showed us were incredible.”

Dora reflected on a conversation with her father before surgery. “He told me his dream was to see my daughters finish graduate school. Now, he says he believes he’ll be there to hold the hands of his great-grandchildren one day. Valley gave my father the life he never thought possible.”

Jose’s story is a testament to the power of teamwork, advanced care, and the rare expertise needed to treat complex conditions like obstructive HCM. At The Valley Hospital, collaboration among specialists ensures every patient receives high-quality care – from diagnosis to recovery.

For more information about heart care at The Valley Hospital and the services provided, please visit ValleyHealth.com/Heart.