All,

As with any surgical procedure, heart valve surgery carries with it risks of [1] post-operative complications. I just received an interesting email from Gary Poltorak, from New York. Gary’s story is filled with unique patient perspective, a unique will to help future patients and a unique will to recover.

Dear Adam,

I finally had my [2] aortic valve replacement, aortic root replacement and cardiac bypass all at once. The surgery was on January 29th, but I just got home this past Saturday, February 16th.

Yes. I was in the hospital for three weeks. That said, I thought you and your readers might want to hear about my experience, considering that most patients are in the hospital for five days, according to the research in your book.

After my [3] aortic root and valve replacement, I developed a strange block and, as a result, the atrium was not properly communicating with the ventricles. Soooo, I needed to get a pacemaker.

However, the doctors couldn’t do that for 10 days following surgery because I was running a low fever. The electrophysiologist and surgeons did not want to take any unnecessary chances. Lo and behold, they never did find out where the fever was coming from, although the medical consensus was leaning towards a small hematoma that would eventually be reabsorbed into my body.

The valve I received was the Edwards, “Theon” valve - in which the leaflets are treated with Thermafix, the latest and greatest treatment to extend the life of the leaflets.

Adam, your book helped a great deal in my preparation for the operation. Still, even with your research and my research, the procedure was overwhelming.

I know former patients say that it feels like you have been hit by a bus after open heart surgery. In my opinion… that analogy just doesn’t cut it.

The first time I got out of bed was tough. When I stood up it felt like the ‘metaphorical bus’ was still sitting right on top of me. Then, a day later, I was encouraged to walk. Well, that was just indescribable. But, as the days went by, I did get stronger and more mobile.

I came home form the hospital last Saturday. Today, I walked about 40 minutes - about a mile and a half. I also drove myself to the gym. It was a short way, and no hand over hand maneuvers were called for.

I am on the mend and hope to get back to normal as soon as possible. I don’t surf like you, but I do play tennis and mountain bike. Needless to say, I’m on my way to a full recovery.

Adam, I think once piece of information that you may want to emphasize to future patients is as follows:

Lots of patients and caregivers ask for advice on the best surgeons and the best hospitals during the pre-op phase. However, I feel a missing piece of the puzzle is that folks should also try to find those hospitals where post-acute care is good.

I was at New York Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia University Medical Center). Dr. Craig Smith did my surgery. The surgery was successful, the ICU care was great, and the initial step-down care was good.

BUT THEN… After the acute care was gone… Well, the service and care was all over the board. Some nurses / aids were amazing, and others were soooooooo apathetic, with no compassion or work ethic. Simply put, that really put a damper on the experience.

That said, you may want to encourage future caregivers and patients to really ask questions about the post-operative experience within the hospital. It might help to get a sense of what the post-acute care is like, etc.

Anyways, I’m now in the recovery phase. Thanks for all your help.

– Gary

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