Randy just sent me an email that made me think, “Wow! Scary! Oh My God! Phew! Good Move! Thank God! Great Job Dr. Werner! Way To Go Randy!”  That said, I thought you might like to read it…

Hi Adam,

I am a 52-year old male. About 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve. Every year since then, I have been getting regular echocardiograms to monitor the valve. Up until last year, when I fainted while running with my daughter, I remained active – biking, racquetball and tennis.

Randy With Cheryl, His Wife – Two Days After Surgery

Last year, my echocardiogram showed a larger-than-normal increase in aortic stenosis. Since then, I have given up most of the sports I played but still enjoyed riding my bike… That is until June 15, 2009.

On that day, I was riding my bike when I “passed-out” and crashed one block from my home!!! (You can even see my bruised, black-eye from the fall in the attached picture.)

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A few months ago, I posted a note about a special project for women heart surgery patients called the “Close To My Heart Project”. As you might remember, a Florida-based artist, Angelica Hoyos, was looking to create artistic portraits of female heart surgery patients.

The goal of Angelica’s project is to help women view heart surgery as something magical, not a terrible curse. It is  Angelica’s belief that the scar is a symbol of courage and inspiration. I completely agree!

Anyways, Angelica just emailed me an update with some pieces from the collection. I thought you might like to see how incredible women heart surgery patients can look post-operation. In my opinion, these portraits are… stunning.

The first portrait is of Aimee Jackson:

So you know, there will be a fund raising event this Saturday, July 11, from 7-10pm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the Pangae Lounge, 5707 Seminole Way. Here is the invitation if you are interested in attending. FYI, that is Debra North in the portrait on the invitation.

For more information, please contact Angelica Hoyos directly at (954) 665 3850.

Thanks Angelica!!!

Keep on tickin!

P.S. To leave a comment, please click here.

All,

Thanks for your recent nominations regarding the selection of our next “Heart Valve Surgeon Of The Month”.

After reviewing your emails and comments, I am happy to announce that Dr. David Adams from Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City will be featured as the current “Heart Valve Surgeon Of The Month” at HeartValveSurgeon.com.

Dr. David Adams – Heart Surgeon Of The Month

If you are unfamiliar with Dr. Adams, he is one of the premiere valve surgeons with an extra-ordinary expertise in mitral valve surgery. As a testament to his work and dedication to the heart valve community, several patients have already given Dr. Adams excellent feedback for his surgical capabilities and friendly bedside manner at the heart surgeon directory. Plus, Dr. Adams is actively referenced by our readers in blogs such as “Can Medication Reverse Heart Valve Disease?”

If you would like to see Dr. Adams perform an actual mitral valve repair, I have provided a video (below) that highlights his skill set. Simply click the play button to watch and listen to Dr. Adams in the operating room.

Congratulations to Doctor David Adams, our “Heart Valve Surgeon Of The Month”!!! (To learn more about Dr. Adams, please visit his website at www.mitralvalverepair.org.)

Keep on tickin!

P.S. To leave a comment, please click here.

Jimmy just sent me a great question about the use of medications to treat heart valve disease.

He writes, “Adam – On Friday, I was diagnosed with severe regurgitation due to mitral valve prolapse. I’ve been short of breath for sometime but had no idea it was due to a heart valve problem. My cardiologist thinks I need a valve replacement within the next six months. I’m shocked and in ‘Why Me?’ mode right now. Given my disbelief, I’m curious to know if there are any medications that can treat heart valve disease? As you may have guessed, I’m not very excited about open heart surgery. Any thoughts? Thanks, Jimmy”

I have to admit… Jimmy’s question just brought back a memory. It was November, 2005 when my cardiologist at the time, Dr. Bad Bedside Manner, informed me (i) that my aortic stenosis was now severe, (ii) that my heart was dilated and (iii) that I needed open heart surgery soon. I’ll never forget that uncomfortable moment. I’ll also never forget one of the first questions I asked the stoic doctor, “Can we treat this with medication?”

Dr. Bad Bedside Manner snipped back at me, “Not at this point. Your valve is both stenotic and suffering from regurgitation. Medication won’t make any difference. You need a valve replacement. Any other questions?”

Severely Diseased Heart Valve

The doctor then glared at me – which made me feel one inch tall – and closed my medical chart as if to signal he had other, more important things to do. (So you know, I never saw Dr. Bad Bedside Manner again. His diagnosis and prognosis was correct. But, his inability to relate or connect with me as a patient did not feel right. Plus, Dr. Bad Bedside Manner pushed to schedule an immediate angiogram which raised some red flags.)

Sorry for going off on a quick tangent… I’ll now get back to Jimmy’s question.

As noted above, my bicuspid aortic valve was in very bad shape and needed to be replaced. However, you should know that if you are diagnosed with mild or moderate forms of heart valve disease, medication may be prescribed by your doctor to help relieve symptoms and decrease the risk of further damage to your heart.

Some of the medications that may be prescribed to help manage heart valve disorders are:

• ACE inhibitors
• Beta-blockers
• Diuretics / water pills
• Vasodilators

Although helpful, these medications will not reverse pre-existing damage to your heart valves.

As the Mayo Clinic reports, “Medications can help reduce the heart’s workload and regulate its rhythm. In some cases, medication can slow progressive mitral valve disease. However, no medications can cure heart valve disease.“

In some cases, valvular damage will progress even if the patient is using the above-referenced medications. In those situations, the patient typically requires surgical treatment in the form of a heart valve repair or heart valve replacement surgery.

I hope this helps you better understand how medications are used to help, but not reverse, heart valve disease.

Keep on tickin!

Since it is the Fourth of July weekend here in the United States, I thought it would be interesting to write a blog that connects the number “4″ to heart valves. That said, here goes nothin’…

In the past, we’ve discussed the unique anatomy of heart valve leaflets – the tissue flaps that open and close in the valve to ensure that blood flows in one direction through the heart. While the aortic, tricuspid and pulmonary valves typically have three leaflets (also known as heart valve flaps), the mitral valve only has two leaflets. Here is a diagram of the human heart valves illustrating this point.

We have also discussed the genetic issues which produce irregular leaflet counts. For example, congenital bicuspid aortic valves have two leaflets which can severely compromise blood flow through the heart. And, we have also learned about extraordinary, patient stories in which heart valves are unicuspid – having only one heart valve leaflet. Remember Shannon’s unicuspid heart valve discovery?

This brings me to my heart valve trivia question of the day. That question is, “Do quadricuspid heart valves – valves with four leaflets – exist?” (To find out the answer, scroll below this image of a quadricuspid heart valve… Hint! Hint!)

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