I’m just returning from my annual echocardiogram with Dr. Ben Rosin, my cardiologist at Torrance Memorial.

As some of you already know, these annual exams are fairly stressful. The last thing I, or anybody, want to hear is that a re-operation is required.

In light of the stress (and perhaps a little fear), I have lots-and-lots of good news to report. Here are some highlights from my third annual echocardiogram following my double valve replacement:

• The replaced aortic valve is performing well. There is only minor leakage (1+) around a suture. The [1] heart valve flaps (aka leaflets) continue to look thin and, most importantly, seal tightly.
• The pulmonary replacement valve is also doing well with trivial minor regurg.
• My left ventricular [2] ejection fraction is 65%.
• The size of my left ventricle is now categorized as “normal”.
• There was no pericardial effusion.

Overall, Dr. Rosin said my heart is doing very, very, very, very well.

Wooo-Whoooooooooo!!!

Keep on tickin!

About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 78 former valve surgery patients. [3] To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.