I just received a very important email from Doug Atkins, a heart valve surgery patient, about the often over-looked and often mis-managed topic of cardiac depression.

Doug writes, “We’ve touched base several times both before-and-after my Ross Procedure.  I’m now 14 months post-op and doing very well.  However, I’m trying to understand if I have cardiac depression. I think I may have been dealing with it for a while… pretty much since surgery.  I’ve noticed that I ‘fly off the handle’ for no reason. Also, my temper is terrible now – admittedly, I’ve always had somewhat of a temper, but nothing like this.  I get upset over the slightest little thing.  I know this isn’t normal, but I’m wondering if this is a symptom of cardiac depression. What are your thoughts?  Should I consult my cardiologist? Thanks. Doug”

Doug raises a very personal and very critical question about the patient’s mental well-being after heart valve surgery. If you were not aware, research indicates that cardiac depression impacts more than 30% of patients. In fact, my own survey of 78 former patients suggested that 32% of patients experience cardiac depression following heart valve replacement or heart valve repair surgery.

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First, Leslie Lafayette was featured on television during her robotic surgery.

Now, another one of my readers, Charles, from Hollywood, Florida was featured on CBS news for his inspirational battle against leukemia and mitral valve disease. I thought you might like to read more about Charles’s incredible story or watch the video, so here it is:

More than 100,000 people each year undergo surgery to have a heart valve repaired or replaced for disorders including aortic valve stenosis (narrowed valve) and mitral valve regurgitation (leaking valve). Traditionally, this type of procedure has been invasive and riskier for certain patients because of religious or health constraints.

Now, a new procedure is making valve surgery a viable option for more people who may have not considered it in the past.

Charles, 33, had just conquered leukemia then he learned he had another obstacle to overcome. “After coming out of chemotherapy for leukemia the oncologist found a murmur that seemed to be very loud and needed some attention,” explained Charles.

The Hallandale Beach father was told he would need heart valve surgery which presented a major challenge for surgeon Gary Allen, chief of cardiac surgery for Memorial Healthcare System.

“He had a very rare type of leukemia. And that was already treated but it does have an affect on the body’s ability to clot during surgery which is an important effect of course. And the other thing is Charles is a Jehovah’s Witness and he has chosen not to accept any blood products,” said Dr. Allen.

Dr. Gary Allen – Charles Heart Surgeon

Because Charles didn’t want a blood transfusion, Dr. Allen suggested he undergo minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. “In the case of mitral valve surgery, it’s an incision anywhere from two to two and a half inches. Traditional open heart incisions are anywhere from 8 to 15 inches,” added Dr. Allen.

Other benefits of mitral valve surgery over traditional methods include minimal blood loss, less pain, a shorter hospital stay and a quicker recovery. After undergoing the mitral valve procedure, Charles said he has more energy and is hopeful his good health is here to stay.

“The tissue valve should be good for another 20 years or so,” Charles said smiling. That long lasting tissue valve inserted into Charles’ heart is actually pig tissue (porcine valve) sterilized for human use.

Keep on tickin’ Charles!

I was just reading Scientific American when I came across a fascinating slide show presentation which explores the history of the artificial heart valve replacements during the past 40 years.

Cheers to Scientific America and Amber Dance (the author) for this information! To view the slide show, please click Artificial Heart Valve Replacement History Slide Show or click the image above.

I hope you enjoy!

Keep on tickin!

Over the past few years, I’ve suggested that my readers consider an investment in the stock of Edwards Lifesciences. As you may know, this company, based in Irvine, California is the world’s leading heart valve replacement device manufacturer.

Edwards stock, traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EW), has outperformed almost every other stock that I monitor in the health and technology sectors. Even during the recession, EW has improved shareholder value.

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Hey everybody,

I’m curious to know…  Do you ever watch the heart valve videos that are posted in the sidebar of this web page?

I have never received any feedback about the value of these videos for patients or caregivers, so I figured I would simply ask.

If you could leave me your thoughts about these heart valve videos, I’d really appreciate it. Please click here to leave a comment.

Keep on tickin!

Adam