received a recommended change to their treatment plan after an expert second opinion
Meyer et al. · The American Journal of Medicine (2015) · n=6,791Independent cardiac surgery second opinions
A second opinion before open heart surgery.
A cardiac surgeon and cardiologist independently review your complete records, confer, and co-sign one clear report.
Delivered within 24 hours after required records and imaging are received and confirmed complete.
Real cardiac specialistsMeet your WHITEGLOVE Heart Team
- ✓ Two cardiac specialists
- ✓ Independent by design
- ✓ Records and imaging coordinated for you
Meet your WHITEGLOVE Heart Team
- Rahul R. Handa, MD, Cardiac & Thoracic Surgery
- Kunal U. Gurav, MD, Cardiology
- Serrie C. Lico, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Farhan S. Ayubi, DO, Vascular Surgery
2cardiac specialists review every case1co-signed written report24 hrafter required records and imaging are received and confirmed complete
Nationwide perspective
The right answer is not limited to one hospital.
If another specialist or center may be a better fit, we can make an introduction when appropriate.
When uncertainty is reasonable
Second-guessing?
Get a second opinion.
Open-heart surgery is a high-stakes decision. Another disciplined review is not distrust—it is due diligence.
- Is this the right operation?
- What experience matters for this exact procedure?
- What is my personal risk?
This 37% finding comes from a multispecialty second-opinion program; it is not specific to open-heart surgery. Published cohort results do not predict any individual outcome.
The time you need.
Independent cardiac expertise, centered on your outcome.
Every case is independently reviewed by a U.S.-trained cardiac surgeon and cardiologist, with subspecialty expertise matched to the decision.
Meet the WHITEGLOVEMD Heart TeamWhen the optimal revascularization strategy is unclear, the 2021 ACC/AHA/SCAI guideline gives a multidisciplinary Heart Team approach a Class I, B-NR recommendation.
2021 coronary revascularization guidelineThe 2020 ACC/AHA guideline gives evaluation by a Multidisciplinary Heart Valve Team a Class I recommendation for patients with severe valvular heart disease being considered for intervention.
2020 valvular heart disease guideline
Why two specialties matter
The operation—and whether it is the right path.
The cardiac surgeon examines the operation and anatomy. The cardiologist examines the diagnosis, physiology, medical therapy, and catheter-based alternatives.
See how the review works
A patient and family perspective
From terrified to a clear plan.
“My family member needed urgent heart valve surgery, and the referral process dragged on for weeks while we panicked. WHITEGLOVEMD cut through all of it — they reviewed everything, explained it in plain English, and connected us with a top surgeon nearby. We went from terrified to having a clear plan.”
Kevin J.Family member of a heart-valve patient
Why WHITEGLOVEMD
A second opinion built around the decision—not the institution.
Clinical independence matters. So does making the process usable.
Why patients choose WHITEGLOVEMDIndependent by design
The reviewing physicians are not employed by the hospital or surgeon.
Two cardiac specialties
A cardiac surgeon and cardiologist review independently and co-sign one report.
The records work is coordinated
With your authorization, we help collect and organize the records and imaging.
Clarity you can use
A written report designed for conversations with your family and treating team.
How it works
One clear path—from first message to next decision.
Send a brief message about what you are facing. We call to answer practical questions; then you choose the level of physician access you want.
Explore the complete processTell us what you are facing
Share your name, phone number, and an optional message. A care coordinator will call to answer practical questions and explain the review.
Send us a message
Choose your review; we coordinate the records
Every package begins with the written dual-physician review. Our records team helps collect and organize the records and imaging.
Compare packagesReceive your WHITEGLOVE Insights™ report
Your report is delivered within 24 hours after the required records and imaging are received and confirmed complete.
Talk through what the findings mean
Packages with live physician access give you and your family dedicated time to discuss the report.
WHITEGLOVE Insights™
Your record, turned into a decision-ready picture.
Your report maps the diagnoses, anatomy, personalized risk context, reasonable alternatives, unanswered questions, and practical next steps from your own record.
- 3surgical-risk models compared when the required data allow
- 2independent physician reviews
- 1co-signed, source-linked report
Your decision,
organized.
STS surgical risk01EuroSCORE II02AATS guidance03
Patient-specific anatomyYour findings.
Made understandable.
Made understandable.
Current clinical picture
The diagnoses, history, and plan already proposed—attributed to the source record.
Your surgical risk, in plain language
When the required inputs allow, validated risk estimates are compared with their inputs and limitations made visible.
Your options, with the pros and cons
Surgical, minimally invasive, catheter-based, and medical alternatives compared in plain language.
Surgeon and center fit
Procedure-specific public outcomes, experience, geography, and practical considerations when relevant.
Your questions, answered
The questions raised during the consultation, preserved with the Heart Team’s answers.
This educational preview contains no patient data and is not a diagnosis or treatment recommendation.
Conditions we review
Your exact heart-surgery question belongs here.
We review the diagnosis, the proposed operation, reasonable alternatives, personalized risk, and whether the surgeon and center fit the procedure.
Explore all conditions01
Bypass / CABG
CABG versus stents.
02Aortic valve / TAVR
Surgical versus catheter-based valve options and timing.
03Mitral valve
Repair versus replacement.
04Aorta and aneurysm
Aortic root, ascending aorta, and operative strategy.
05Redo or complex surgery
Higher-complexity cases where anatomy, risk, and center fit matter.
06Is surgery necessary?
The diagnosis, alternatives, and why now.
Choose your level of physician access
Begin with the same rigorous written review.
Every package includes an independent cardiac surgeon review, an independent cardiologist review, and one co-signed report.
WHITEGLOVE Insights™Written review
Starting at$495
A complete, dual-physician review.
Compare review optionsIndependent cardiac surgeon review
Independent cardiologist review
Surgical-risk models compared when the required inputs allow
Co-signed WHITEGLOVE Insights™ report
Within 24 hours after required records and imaging are received and confirmed complete
Is WHITEGLOVEMD a replacement for my surgeon or cardiologist?
No. WHITEGLOVEMD provides independent educational decision support and medical-record review. Your treating clinicians remain responsible for diagnosis, orders, prescriptions, and ongoing care.
Who reviews my case?
Every case is reviewed by two physicians: a cardiac surgeon and a cardiologist. They review independently, confer, and co-sign the final WHITEGLOVE Insights™ report.
When does the 24-hour turnaround begin?
The turnaround begins after the required records and imaging for your review have been received and confirmed complete. The records team can help obtain them from your hospitals and practices.
How does WHITEGLOVEMD get my medical records and imaging?
After you authorize release, our records team can request the relevant records directly from your hospitals and practices. You can also securely upload anything you already have.
How much does a cardiac surgery second opinion cost?
The independent written Heart Team review starts at $495.
What if I have urgent symptoms right now?
WHITEGLOVEMD is not an emergency service. If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
As seen on NBC
Why a second opinion matters before open-heart surgery.
Rahul R. Handa, MD joins Ed Bernstein to discuss when a second opinion can change an open-heart surgery decision.
Watch the interviewNot sure where to begin?
Send us a message.
Tell us what is on your mind. A member of our team will call you back.
(855) 688-3160