I just received the email below from Melissa regarding the Ross Procedure. As you can read, Melissa is preparing for aortic heart valve replacement surgery and conducted research on the best surgical approach for her. Here is what she writes:

Hi Adam,

My name is Melissa. I ran across your website about the Ross valve replacement. I’m currently 24, and have been dealing with aortic valve stenosis since I was 7. My symptoms have become increasingly severe. Chest pain at rest, dizzy, pain in my arm and jaw. I just went to the cardiologist today for a check up, and after doing a echo he advised me that my condition had changed from moderate/severe to severe/critical. After hearing the news as you know I have a lot on my plate. When I was younger and had a pediatric cardiologist he explained the Ross procedure to myself and family. After doing a little bit of research myself today I would like to hear what you have to say about the procedure. My concern with the Ross procedure is I’m a single mother of one four year old, the way I read the description there is a higher risk with the Ross versus the traditional procedures… Any input you could offer would be appreciated. Thanks, Melissa”

Melissa’s situation was very similar to mine leading up to surgery… I was young and dealing with severe aortic stenosis.

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Earlier today, Kerrigan and I exchanged emails about the recovery from open heart surgery. Specifically, we discussed the physical healing of the broken sternum and the heart.

In one of his emails, Kerrigan wrote, “I was wondering how long after surgery is the heart considered “healed” as far as the incisions and reattachment of aorta? Thanks, Kerrigan”

While I have some pretty good thoughts, research and experience on the healing time required for a stitched heart and broken sternum, I am ALWAYS APPREHENSIVE about issuing estimates for patient healing and recovery.

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Any guesses as to how much blood your heart pumps each day?

Need a hint? It’s more than 10 gallons.

Need another hint? It’s more than 100 gallons.

To find out how much blood your heart pumps each-and-every day of your life… Scroll down below the beating heart animation.

According to The Texas Heart Institute, most healthy hearts can pump up to 2,000 gallons of blood during each twenty-four hour period. Isn’t that incredible?

I just did the math. During the time you just read this blog (I assumed one minute), your heart pumped 1.38 gallons of blood through your body!!!

Why am I writing about this? Well… This is exactly why our heart valves need to function properly. If our valves do not open-and-close tightly, the heart needs to pump even more blood which puts additional strain on the heart. If the heart “works overtime” for long periods of time, the cardiac muscle can thicken, dilate and, ultimately, fail.

Keep on tickin!

As we have seen, valvular disorders can effect all different types of people – from comedians (Robin Williams) to governors (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to former first ladies (Barbara Bush).

We have also seen the impact of aortic stenosis and mitral valve regurgitation on athletes including Ronny Turiaf (from the NBA) and Teppo Numminen (from the NHL). Today, we learned that Aaron Boone of the Houston Astros baseball team will need heart valve surgery, specific to his aortic valve.

Aaron Boone – To Have Aortic Valve Replacement

“I have been diagnosed as having a heart condition involving the aorta and aortic valve,” Aaron Boone said, flanked by nearly the entire Astros team at a Wednesday morning press conference in a meeting room at the Osceola County Stadium complex.

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Here is an insightful, patient story about Josh from Oregon. As you can read below, Josh offers a unique glimpse into some of the common challenges and opportunities patients experience during early heart surgery recovery. I say “early” because Josh had his operation less than two weeks ago.

Adam-

Hey there! Just dropping you a note that the “hardest” part is over.

I had my aortic valve replacement and ascending aortic aneurysm repair done on Thursday, March 5th at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. I just filled out your online surgeon database questionnaire so that I could highly recommend my surgeon, Dr. Storm Floten of the Starr-Wood Cardiac Group.

Josh Receives Kiss Following Heart Surgery

I’m happily at home and have been since Monday, March 9th. That’s right… I left the hospital 4 days after my surgery.

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