I place this story in the “absolutely disgusting” file. As you can read below, this is one more reason you really want to research your medical team as-much-as-possible before any type of heart valve surgery.

Thaindian.com just reported that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in India sentenced a leading cardiologist to five years in jail – for using substandard heart valve transplants during surgery.

R.S. Dhaliwal, former head of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery department at of the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), was convicted along with a chemist for what is known as “heart valve scam”.

The scam? Dhaliwal charged patients for premium valves even though the cardiologist was implanting substandard valve replacements. The prosecution told the court that Dhaliwal referred patients and PGIMER officials to  chemists who sold low-priced valves and accessories but charged higher rates. The unscrupulous profit was shared between Dhaliwal and the chemists.

According to medical records, 324 surgeries were done by Dhaliwal during 1994-2001. In total, the investigating agency found discrepancies in 38 surgeries.

Managing anxiety before heart surgery can be quite challenging for patients and their caregivers. However, Rochelle just asked me an interesting question about dealing with anxiety after heart surgery. Here is what she writes:

“Adam – I had aortic valve surgery 4 months ago. Everything went well but I am suffering from anxiety. I have been taking Ativan… one milligram. I also go to cardiac rehab once a week. My question is, “How many patients suffer from anxiety after heart surgery? Does it ever stop? Thank you, Rochelle (P.S. Your book has helped me alot!)”

Here is my response to Rochelle:

Like you, I also suffer a bit from anxiety. However, I don’t think my anxiety increased after heart valve surgery. To counter the anxiety, I do my best to exercise, to write and to share any anxious thoughts with those around me.

After surgery, I also entered individual counseling. While some patients enjoy support groups, like Mended Hearts, I chose a more personal setting to enhance my mental well-being following the challenges of my recovery.

So you know, I’m not the only patient to seek therapy following heart surgery. In a 2007 study, 9% of patients acknowledged that they saw a therapist post-operation to help with the emotional and behavioral changes after cardiac surgery. From experience, I can tell you that therapy really helped with my anxiety and sleep issues.

Here’s the funny part… It was my brilliant therapist who suggested I write a book and blog about my heart valve surgery journey to help future patient and caregivers. Without her thought, you would not be reading this right now.

I hope this helps you better understand anxiety relative to heart surgery.

Keep on tickin!

Ron just sent me a good question about heart valve replacement surgery. He writes, “DO THEY HAVE TO STOP YOUR HEART AND /OR HOOK YOU UP TO BYPASS DURING AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT?”

The answer to that question is… Yes.

To learn more about how cardiac surgeons stop-and-restart the heart, please click on the following links:

• Stopping The Heart During Heart Valve Surgery
• Restarting The Heart During Valve Replacement

I hope that helps better Ron (and perhaps you) better understand how surgeons start-and-stop the heart during valve repair and valve replacement surgery.

Keep on tickin!

I just received a very simple question from Gayla. She writes, “Adam – What’s your day job?”

Okay. No problem answering that one.

My title is Principal Analyst – EMS/ODM Services at iSuppli, the company I work for.

“What the heck does Principal Analyst – EMS/ODM Services mean?” you may be wondering.

Well, it’s actually quite simple. I help electronics companies (like computer companies) figure out the best, most effective way to manufacture their products. As you may know, several technology brands like Hewlett-Packard, Motorola, Cisco – do not manufacture all of their products. Instead, they outsource some of those activities to third-party, contract manufacturers (also known as EMS – electronics manufacturing service providers – or Original Design Manufacturers – ODMs).

There you go… That’s my day job! If you are interested to learn more, here is an article I recently published about the current trends impacting electronics manufacturers as a result of the recession.

That said, my book and this website are what I call a “very, very, very passionate hobby”. My mission through this work is to help future patients and caregivers better understand the realities of cardiac surgery.

So far, so good…. I hope!

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you!!!

Keep on tickin!

As Robyn, my wife, is eight-months pregnant, I’m a little sensitive to unique stories about baby deliveries these days.

However, when I learned about the amazing story of Rachael Joy, I almost fell out of my chair. This is an amazing story about a very brave woman who experienced a one-of-a-kind surgery for both aortic dissection and baby delivery. That said, I thought you might like to read this inspirational story initially posted in The Telegraph:

Rachael Joy, 36, initially went to the hospital suffering from chest pains. But, doctors felt Rachael just had a bad cough and sent her home. Hours later she started coughing up blood, returned to hospital and doctors discovered she had aortic dissection, a rare and dangerous heart condition.

Rachael Joy – After Open Heart Surgery And Cesarean Section

Mrs. Joy, who was 36 weeks pregnant with her first baby, would have died from heart failure within 48 hours if the condition had been left untreated. Even operating immediately meant she had a 25 percent chance of dying on the operating table.

Read the rest of this entry »