Heart Matters: Father-Son Heart Surgery Strengthens Bond

Matt Klipfel and his family are no strangers to heart conditions. Matt's paternal grandfather died from a heart attack, and during a physical, Matt's father, Bill, found out that he had a heart murmur. Matt, who is from the southeastern Missouri town of Oran, was also diagnosed with a heart murmur.

Then, in 2014, when he was 36 years old, Matt was diagnosed with aortic stenosis, a condition that occurs when the aortic valve narrows and restricts blood from flowing normally from the heart to the rest of the body. A few years later, Bill received the same diagnosis.

When the need for surgery arose, this close-knit family made the decision to travel to St. Louis for a second opinion and care at Missouri Baptist Medical Center (MoBap). However, Matt and Bill never expected to be in the hospital at the same time, much less have heart surgery on the same day.

Matt Needs a New Heart Valve

Matt likes to be active, helping his dad on the family cattle farm, and enjoys the outdoors. His calendar is full of annual hunting and fishing trips and high school sporting events with his family.

Every year, Matt visited his cardiologist for an echocardiogram to monitor the condition of his aortic valve. This test uses sound waves to create detailed images of the heart and shows how the blood flows through the heart and heart valves. In February 2024, the echocardiogram revealed further deterioration of Matt’s aortic valve, prompting doctors to recommend a heart valve replacement.

In the months leading up to his echocardiogram, Matt admits he experienced increasing symptoms. “I began having periods of shortness of breath, dizziness and numbness in my right shoulder. It was harder to maintain my usual pace at the farm and do outdoor activities. I knew it was time to address my heart condition.”

Finding the Right Heart Doctor at MoBap

Even though he lives in Oran, Matt wanted his surgery at BJC Health Care in St. Louis because of its excellent reputation. “I knew about BJC's top-notch care, and I wanted to ensure I was at a medical center that had access to the latest technology and where doctors are experienced in treating my condition,” he explains.

He turned to the expertise of MoBap cardiothoracic surgeon Joshua Baker, MD. From their first meeting, Matt felt reassured by his choice. “MoBap has an outstanding heart team,” he shares. “Dr. Baker really took the time to listen, thoroughly answered all my questions and eased my concerns.”

Dr. Baker recommended a minimally invasive procedure to replace Matt’s deteriorating valve with a new, mechanical one made from a material similar to carbon fiber. “The type of valve is very durable,” says Dr. Baker. “Given that Matt is only 46 years old, this surgery could very well be the only one he needs.”

Before leaving the office, Matt asked Dr. Baker if he would discuss treatment options with his dad, Bill, whose doctors had recommended heart surgery. “After speaking to Dr. Baker about my heart issues, I thought a second opinion would be valuable for Dad,” Matt says.

Dr. Baker agreed, and the following week, Matt and Bill, accompanied by their wives, returned to MoBap.

Unlike Matt, Bill’s primary heart symptom was a persistent cough. After reviewing Bill’s test results and running a new echocardiogram, which revealed an enlarged aorta and confirmed aortic valve stenosis, Dr. Baker recommended a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for Bill. “Given Bill’s age, he was an ideal candidate for the TAVR procedure, which involves a less demanding recovery than traditional, open-heart surgery,” Dr. Baker explains.

The TAVR surgery, which requires the expertise of both a cardiothoracic surgeon and an interventional cardiologist, seemed a fitting choice to Bill. He met interventional cardiologist Gus Theodos, MD, who would perform the TAVR procedure with Dr. Baker. “I felt very confident in the capabilities of the MoBap team and was reassured by the thoughtful consultation and the tailored treatment plan laid out by Dr. Baker,” Bill remarks.

Heart Surgeries Are Planned

While Bill was meeting with Dr. Baker, Matt began experiencing sudden chest pains. The office medical team responded swiftly, and Matt was admitted to MoBap’s cardiac intensive care unit for further evaluation. “A nurse wheeled me over, and within moments, everything was moving fast,” Matt recalls.

Matt had a cardiac catheterization so his heart valves and blood vessels could be evaluated. During the procedure, a thin, flexible tube, or catheter, was inserted into a blood vessel in Matt’s wrist and carefully maneuvered through to his heart.

The catheterization revealed that Matt's heart had no blockages, but it was clear that he needed surgery. Dr. Baker scheduled Matt's heart surgery for the following day. The procedure would involve a mini-sternotomy, a less invasive technique in which an incision is made down the center of the chest, but only the upper chest is opened. "This method usually results in less bleeding and a shorter stay in the hospital," Dr. Baker explains.

To streamline the process for the family, Bill's TAVR procedure was scheduled on the same day as Matt’s surgery. Unlike traditional surgery, the TAVR does not require opening the chest. Instead, Dr. Theodos, alongside Dr. Baker, inserted a catheter through a small incision in Bill's leg. The catheter, carrying a compressed replacement aortic valve within a stent, was positioned directly over the diseased valve. Once in place, the stent was expanded, displacing the old valve and leaving the new one functional within the framework.

Recovering From Surgery

After his surgery, Matt spent the night in the cardiac intensive care unit before moving to the step-down unit. He was discharged after four days in the hospital.

Bill, having undergone a less invasive procedure, woke up post-surgery without pain and was eager to get out of bed. He spent just one night in the hospital before heading home.

“It was convenient that we were in the hospital at the same time,” Bill reflects. “The day after Matt’s surgery, I walked to his room to check on him and make sure he was doing well.”

Now, recovered from their surgeries, both Bill and Matt feel well, and the symptoms they experienced pre-surgery have disappeared. Matt describes another change he’s experienced. “In quiet moments, I can hear a soft clicking from my new heart valve as it opens and closes. It has become a familiar sound that I don’t notice as much as when I first came home.”

In March, Matt and Bill had follow-up visits at MoBap to monitor their valve functions. “Both Matt and Bill are doing well postoperatively,” says Dr. Baker.

Matt has also started cardiac rehabilitation at a facility close to home. This program is common after heart surgery and includes exercises designed to rebuild strength and help the heart recover. Bill, who has already completed a month of cardiac rehab, will be there to support Matt. “The rehab has really boosted my recovery,” Bill says. “I feel stronger and more energized than I have in a long time. And I’m thankful I no longer have a cough.”

A Strengthened Bond

Since their return home, Matt and Bill have rediscovered the joy in life’s simple moments. They attend high school baseball and basketball games together, where they cheer loudly for their kids and grandkids. And many evenings, you can find them gathered around the family dinner table, where laughter fills the room over home-cooked meals.

Reflecting on his ordeal, Matt feels gratitude for the entire MoBap team, whose exceptional care left a mark on his life. “I had wonderful care at MoBap throughout my stay,” he says.

Bill echoes this sentiment, adding, “I am thankful that Dr. Baker recognized the importance of repairing my heart right away and could do both of our surgeries on the same day. It was a level of convenience I was not expecting, and I was impressed with the excellent care I received!”

Their shared experience at MoBap has not only brought father and son closer together but also given them a common cause to advocate for: the health care that made a difference in their lives.