About Dr. Christopher Burke,
Heart Valve Surgeon

"I had known I would need surgery for some time because of a bi-cuspid aortic valve, but I was still nervous when I decided it was time. I was having trouble singing and playing guitar and had gotten lightheaded during a performance, so I spoke with my cardiologist who referred me to Dr. Burke, who said I was a good candidate for the Ross Procedure.

On July 10th, Dr. Burke performed my surgery. From the first time I spoke with him he made me totally at ease and feeling very positive with having this procedure. In the hospital he and his team were amazing. I can't fully express how positive they made me feel and gave me a new chance at life.

Now at about 7 weeks later, I'm walking 3 miles a day and feel great. I'm going to start playing guitar again next week and hope to be on stage performing in November. Dr Burke and his team had my confidence throughout this whole experience, and I highly recommend him and UW Medical if you are looking for a heart surgeon."

-- Mike Todd, Aortic Valve, Ross Procedure, 07/10/2024

"In preparation for surgery, I met with three surgeons. From the minute I met Dr. Burke, I knew he was the best choice. He clearly and calmly explained that although I was asymptomatic (or so I thought) I needed a new aortic valve.

He did not try to sell me or push me. As a matter of fact, he saw me three times over a year and a half, patiently waiting for me to get myself ready to have surgery. Dr. Burke answered every question and made the process comfortable.

Surgery was successful and recovery was uneventful. Now that I’m back swimming an easy mile, walking hills with dogs, I will say Dr. Burke was right from the beginning when he told me I would feel better. I do feel better and I do feel the difference with my new valve. I would send anyone, everyone to Dr. Burke."

-- Beth McRae , Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 07/09/2024

"I have had an excellent experience and great results."

-- Craig Bartleson, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 02/20/2024

"Dr. Burke was friendly, clear, and obviously VERY skilled. We needed an expert in the Ross procedure and he is it!"

-- Molly Brown, Aortic Valve, Pulmonary Valve, Ross Procedure, 07/13/2023

"Dr. Christopher Burke is extraordinary.

I'm a 25-year male who's played sports my whole life, but was born with a bicuspid aortic valve. I had no idea about that problem until symptoms of aortic insufficiency (AI) blew up suddenly over the holidays. By the time I discovered the issue my LV and aortic root were substantially damaged.

Like most young people who find themselves in this situation, I was told by several cardiologists that a mechanical valve replacement was the only practical strategy to address the AI and prevent further damage to my heart. The first cardiac surgeon that I visited, the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at a prestigious local hospital, told me unequivocally "I have looked at your valve, and it cannot be repaired." As much as I was grateful that a mechanical valve offered a promising path forward, I was concerned about the lifetime of warfarin that would be required with that strategy, so I looked for other options and found Dr. Christopher Burke at the University of Washington Heart Institute.

We discussed prospects of a Ross procedure or a David V (valve sparing root replacement), and both of those options seemed like potential strategies to avoid a lifetime of warfarin. Dr. Burke was patient, he was clear, he was professional, and a couple months later he had completed a David V that shows all signs of being incredibly successful (in the literal sense of the world "incredibly"). He replaced my aneurysmal aortic root, saved my native aortic valve, and repaired it so that it shows no sign of regurgitation in each of my post-surgical echocardiograms. Surprisingly, my left ventricle is already showing modest signs of shifting back to normal, and my EF is improving too.

So far, this outcome is much more positive than I would have hoped for. Only time can tell how my new setup will perform over decades, but all signs point to an extremely promising outcome for a surgical strategy that some judged impossible, and few would have tried.

In the process of getting to this point I had a chance to meet with many healthcare providers in the Seattle cardiology ecosystem who seem to revere Dr. Burke. Their comments and my experience have led me to understand that the Pacific Northwest is blessed to have an unusually talented, professional, skilled artisan in Dr. Burke — along with his entire team of UW cardiologists, electrophysiologists, PAs, NPs, and so many extraordinary nurses. You guys were smart, kind, patient, and as helpful as could be at every step.

The path to this point involved a ton of uncertainty and learning, so I also have to thank Adam Pick for assembling this incredible clearinghouse of information (HeartValveSurgery.com) — and all the people who have been so generous with their time and advice throughout this site and in offline conversations.

My valve replacement adventure has surely been intense, but this community is incredible, and I'm grateful to all of you who have helped to make it positive. Thank you."

-- Quinnlan Rain, Aortic Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, Root Replacement, David Procedure, 03/28/2023

"Dr. Burke did a wonderful job! He explained everything to help us understand and feel comfortable."

-- Dylan Byers, Aortic Valve, Pulmonary Valve, Valve Replacement, Ross Procedure, 01/26/2023

"Amazing! Wonderful! Awesome!"

-- Lindsay Huck, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, Ross Procedure, 01/19/2023

"Dr. Burke is simply the best - personable, professional and caring!"

-- Robert Redding , Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 01/17/2023

"Dr. Burke literally saved my life. I was on my last stage of heart failure waiting to pass away.

Prior to the surgery I had already 2 open-heart surgeries within the last 6 month. But, my endocarditis kept coming back and destroying my heart. No other surgeons would give me a third chance. I was sent home to die in pain and suffering.

Dr. Burke made a hard decision, took a risk and won! I am alive because my surgeon is a real professional and a great human being. He will be in my prayers for the rest of my life that he gave me. Thank you my dear doctor!"

-- Garry Aganesyants, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Valve Replacement, 12/02/2022

"Dr. Burke and the surgical team were simply amazing! Awesome surgical result and exemplary bedside manner. On a 5-star scale he gets 10!"

-- Rick Osterhout, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 07/27/2022

"I had the most positive experience receiving the Ross Procedure surgery from Dr. Burke.

The pre-surgery interview went super well – he is so knowledgeable about all aspects of heart valve surgery and answered all of my questions. The surgical procedure and recovery in the ICU went smoothly and I appreciated Dr. Burke’s attentiveness in conveying surgery outcomes to my family and checking in with me in recovery. His bedside manners are excellent. Dr. Burke and his team are very responsive to messaging via My Chart.

I’m now four months past my surgery and back to trail running 25 miles/week. I’m so very grateful to Dr. Burke and the whole medical team at the UW Heart Institute."

-- Dan Salzer, Aortic Valve, Pulmonary Valve, Valve Replacement, Ross Procedure, 07/19/2022

"Dr. Burke is a perfectionist with his work, and I could tell that from the first time I spoke with him. He has a true passion for what he does. My Ross Procedure went exceptionally well, and I couldn’t be more grateful for Dr. Burke and his team for extending my life, really, and for making the worry go away that I had prior to surgery. I highly recommend him to anyone with a heart valve disease. "

-- Andy Dial, Aortic Valve, Pulmonary Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, Root Replacement, Ross Procedure, 06/15/2022

"I got multiple opinions and spoke with several different surgeons. I chose Dr. Burke because he was confident and capable of performing all surgical options (replace, repair, ross procedure) with my bicuspid valve with severe regurgitation and an aortic aneurysm. I appreciate his demeanor. He has a quiet confidence but is not arrogant.

Dr. Burke understands the responsibility he has with you putting your life in his hands, and he did a good job explaining my options so I was comfortable doing so. I also talked to people I know that are surgeons and know Dr Burke and they told me he's one of the finest surgeons they have been around, and if they had family that needed heart surgery, they would send them to Dr. Burke.

That is about as good of a recommendation as I could imagine. I feel the same way after surgery. It could not have gone better for me and I recommend that anyone needing aortic valve surgery, talk to Dr. Burke. "

-- Adam Baumgartner , Aortic Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, Root Replacement, David Procedure, 02/03/2022

"Dr. Burke is great at what he does. When I first met him, he had excellent bedside manner and thoroughly explained my diagnosis in a way I could understand. All and all, he is an excellent surgeon in my book."

-- Steven Barry, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Valve Replacement, 04/28/2020