Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog

Hi Adam — Thanks so much for sharing information about the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve. For some additional details: the picture you posted shows (top) the current transfemoral delivery system, which is commercially available in Europe and being used in the U.S. pivotal clinical trial. It also shows (bottom) the next-generation transfemoral delivery system, which as you’ll see in the picture is a covered delivery system. Both of these are inserted through a small incision in the leg and used to delivery the aortic valve replacement via the femoral artery. Edwards is also working on a next-generation transcatheter heart valve, which the company hopes to initiate clinical trials for in Europe at the end of the year. Thanks!

Hi adam and folks,
I have one of the newer edwards aortic valves, placed this past january. It’s called the Theon valve, which is treated with thermafix, a leaflet treatment developed to help the leaflets of the valve last longer. Regardless, Dr. Craig Smith of Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC, who replaced my bicuspid aortic valve ,told me last week, during my first post op visit, that the trials for replacing valves in the way described, through the femoral artery or through one of the mammary vessels are going quite well. My interest is that in roughly 20 years or so, I will need another valve – and I dont want my chest cracked open again. (once is quite enough). So the future looks bright for those who wil need valve replacements. all the best. And as Adam says, Keep on tickin !
Gary

Hi
My sister-in-law is scheduled for an aortic valve replacement in the Chicago area. Her severe aortic stenosis was discovered on a routine doctors visit. She had no symptoms. She would like a tissue valve versus a mechanical valve. She does not want to mess with coumadin. She understands that she will need to replace the tissue valve in 15-20 years. The mechanical valve the ON-X valve is not requiring coumadin overseas but here in the States the studies are ongoing and still recommend coumadin versus aspirin. What are your opinions for or against mechanical versus tissue?

Hi Adam,
I am very interested in this new procedure for future replacement of a tissue valve from Edwards. My question is what type of valve is being used in the transcatheter procedure? Is this a stented tissue valve and do they believe that it will last 15-20 years? Is this valve similar to their other valves? Just want to keep up on the new information coming out. I am scheduled for aortic valve replacement and replacement of a portion of my aorta in November. I was told that because of the aorta repair along with the valve replacement that I am not a candidate for the minimal evasive procedure at this time.

I am scheduled to have a minimal invasive Aortic valve replaced on the 5th. They will be using the ON-X valve. Do you know about it and the surgeon Dr. William Cohn?

I will be having my aortic valve replaced via the femoral artey. I am going for an angiogram, this week. Please tall me whether one has a choice, between a mechanica lvalve, or a pig’s valve, when going through this procedure.

I am 61 and have sever asymtomatic aortic stenosis. It is .88 mm now. I also have an aortic root aneursym of 4.3. I am wondering if I could be candidate for both the minimal invasave aortic root stent and valve replacement.

My mother was diagnosed on Monday to have blockage of both the aortic and mitral valves in her heart. Her age is 79 and the Drs. are not comfortable with her being a candidate for open heart surgery. I have been trying to find info on the non invasive procedures but Medicare does not know if it’s a covered procedure without a procedure code and the American heart association cannot tell me if drs. in the Allentown Pa. or Philadelphia area perform this procedure and also cannot give any kind of referrals. Please, if you have either a procedure code or info on DRs. in Pa. performing these please contact me back at your earliest covenience. Thanks so much.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Gorman.