About Dr. Andrei Churyla,
Heart Valve Surgeon

"I can't recommend Dr. Churyla highly enough. He repaired my rheumatic (fever) damaged mitral valve when other heart surgeons at major hospitals had told me that valve replacement would be the only option.

After he performed the Maze procedure and a double bypass, I was taken off the heart/lung machine. He observed the mitral valve leaking and went back in and repaired it. 11-hours in all.

My cardiac health is now very robust thanks to him, and I don't have to take any blood thinners. I could not be happier with Dr. Churyla."

-- Larry Johnson, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Maze Procedure, 11/28/2018

"Dr. Churyla performed open heart surgery on me for a severe case of endocarditis. He found my tricuspid valve not functioning properly and seated it with a ring that works perfectly to this day. His communication and manner with me were exemplary. This wonderful man saved my life. Thank you Dr. Andrei Churyla!"

-- Richard Brehm, Tricuspid Valve, Valve Repair, 07/28/2018

"I had my mitral valve repaired and Dr. Churyla was the surgeon in my case.

After more than 4 hours in surgical room, he called out to waiting room to notify my family that the surgery went very well. I am so grateful to Dr. Churyla, he saved my life, so I owed my life to him and his team at Northwestern Medicine. Dr. Churyla is the best Cardiac Surgeon.

I would highly recommend him to anyone who has heart problems."

-- Suong Le, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 04/04/2018

"On 1/24/2018, I had both my aortic and mitral valves replaced ... removing mechanical valves that were put in back in May 2015 at a different hospital and different surgeon and replacing them with cow tissue valves. Therefore, this procedure in January 2018 was my second open-heart surgery in 2.5 years. For the sake of this review, I will be brief and to the point. If you are in search of the best cardiac surgeon, both inside and out of the surgical room, stop your search now and book your appointment with Dr. Churyla’s office. He is the best there is in the surgical room, and he genuinely cares about you as his patient. Please trust me. I am alive because of this man!"

-- Blair Nuccio, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Valve Replacement, 02/25/2018

"I owe my life to Dr. Churyla and the team at Bluhm. Dr. Churyla came to visit me every day of my 7 day stay, even on a day he had back to back heart transplants. I'm a competitive skier. He assured me I would be able to ski this season. And I did! His bedside manner is incredible. He's one of the finest Physicians I have ever had."

-- Barry Rotman, Aortic Valve, 12/13/2017

"Dr. Churyla and his staff at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute of Northwestern Medicine were amazing. Not only is he an excellent surgeon and was able to repair my valve, but he truly cared about my recovery and was there everyday, sometimes twice a day!!! I would highly recommend him and his staff!"

-- Amy Goebbert, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 11/07/2017

"I am so grateful for Dr. Churyla. I was in bad shape and he saved my life."

-- Valeria Griffin, Mitral Valve, Valve Replacement, 09/01/2017

"Dr. Churyla came to check on me every day (except for days he was out of town) sometimes twice a day. My surgery was initially for clot removal in the left atrial appendage and cardiac ablation for correction of atrial fibrillation (Afib). The night before surgery, Dr. Churyla called me to advise after MRI results additional procedures would be required due to the narrowing of the aorta (including aortic valve replacement). Dr. Churyla met me in the surgical prep area the morning of the surgery and explained and drew me a diagram of the aorta repairs needed. I was a very difficult case and Dr. Churyla kept my wife well informed during surgery. Dr. Churyla is very down to earth, easily approachable and very confident. I would highly recommend him to those in need of cardiac surgery."

-- Charles Lovins, Aortic Valve, Pulmonary Valve, Valve Repair, Valve Replacement, 04/21/2017

"Doctor Churyla was excellent. He came to visit me every day after the surgery and even stayed to review my progress when the physical therapist stopped by. Dr. Churyla answered every question I had. I am healing well and have had excellent post-op care with Dr. Churyla's nurse."

-- Gregory Nastali, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 02/02/2017

"Dr. Churyla came to my room the day before or morning of the surgery (coronary artery bypass graft X3, left internal mammary artery, saphenous vein graft x2, endoscopic vein, tricuspid valve repair) to reassure me and my family and explain everything he would be doing. He was very optimistic, straight forward, friendly and easy to talk to. The 7 1/2 hr surgery went well and he talked to my family immediately after, confident that I should have no problems and would recover quickly. He visited me in the week (4 days) that followed and gave me complete confidence that everything went well- I liked him very much and felt very lucky that he was the surgeon in my case. I would (and have) recommend him to anyone I know who has a heart problem."

-- barbara kay schmitt, Aortic Valve, Pulmonary Valve, Mitral Valve, Tricuspid Valve, Valve Repair, 09/02/2016

"I admire Dr. Churyla. His integrity and patient care is BEYOND my expectations. I would recommend him to any heart patient. I feel he saved my life."

-- Kim Kopija, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 08/05/2016