[Update: Everybody, Thanks for your quick response! I now have more than enough volunteers to help with the beta launch! Cheers! Adam] 

After several months of planning, I’m finally getting ready to launch a brand new, online application designed exclusively for heart valve surgery patients and caregivers around the world.

My hope is that this free program will help folks like YOU throughout the entire surgical process – from diagnosis to recovery.

That said, I am looking for 20 more volunteers to help me “beta test” this Internet-based program. If you are preparing for surgery and interested in helping, please email me at adam@heart-valve-surgery.com.

Also, if you already signed up as a volunteer, there’s no need to email me again. You will be receiving an introductory email very, very soon.

Keep on tickin!

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

Karen just sent me an excellent question about breast support after open heart surgery.

She writes, “Adam – Okay, so I’m going in for heart valve surgery due to severe mitral regurgitation next week. Ummm. I know you didn’t have any issues with this. But, can your female readers help me better understand bra use after surgery? I have fairly big boobs (not to be too graphic) and I imagine the incision might be impacted by that. What should I expect? Yes, I’m very embarrassed right now. Thanks, Karen.”

First off, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. If I can share my stories about urinary catheters and Full Monty body shaves, hearing about Karen’s big boobs is no shocker.

Second, Karen raises a GRREEEEAAAAATTT point. And, she’s right. I can’t really help her answer this question. But, I have asked several female readers about their experiences with bra use and breast support after open heart surgery. Here is what some of them had to say.

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I just received a question about the Ross Procedure for aortic valve replacement from Evelyn.

She writes, “Adam – The stenosis in my aortic valve is getting worse and I’m starting to feel the symptoms. My valve has been upgraded to severe stenosis from moderate status and it looks like surgery is in my future. I’m investigating my options and considering the Ross Procedure. By chance, do you know how many Ross Procedures are performed each year? Thanks, Evelyn”

Evelyn raises a great question. In fact, when I first learned of the Ross Procedure, as an alternative to traditional approaches, I thought to myself, “Sound goods. But, what is the surgical success rate of the Ross Procedure? And… How many of those procedures have been done?”

In talking with Dr. Vaughn Starnes (my surgeon), Dr. Donald Ross (the inventor of the procedure) and doing my own research, I learned that the Ross Procedure is definitely NOT performed as frequently as bioprosthetic and mechanical valve replacements. In fact, several surgeons do not favor the procedure as it requires a double valve replacement – the pulmonary valve is replaced with a homograft.

However, the more I learned about the Ross Procedure, its patient advantages, the surgical statistics of the Ross Procedure and Dr. Starnes’ familiarity with the procedure (he had performed over 200 Ross Procedures at the time), this option made sense for me. Three years later… I’m doing great.

Now, specific to Evelyn’s question…

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One of the critcal learnings from my heart valve surgery experience was:

The patient (or their caregiver) must, at times, be tenacious. We must, at times, ask questions that may or may not be silly. We must, at times, stand up for ourselves and our hearts. Ultimately… we must, at all times, be our own, best advocate.

I am reminded of this belief as my inbox is often filled with patient and caregiver emails that radiate frustration and confusion. Many of these emails begin, “Adam, I really need to vent right now. I’m having problems with __________.” However you chose to fill-in that blank, I can relate.

Patrick Hightower – Heart Valve Surgery Patient

Recently, I received a patient story that illustrates just how far certain patients and caregivers will go to get the best care. Here, for your review, is the educational and inspirational story of Patrick Hightower:

Adam, I had this picture taken 24 days after my heart valve surgery on August 9, 2009.  As you can see, my main incision is about 2 1/2 inches long. I also have a 1/2 inch scar just below it – which was for the drain line.

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Since my heart valve surgery, I have been fascinated by the strategic, corporate acquisitions of leading device manufacturers in this industry.

In fact, I began writing about the ongoing consolidation of heart valve manufacturers years ago. As of late, the “urge-to-merge” has really focused on the minimally invasive technologies for both heart valve repair and heart valve replacement.

That said, it was somewhat expected that a company like Evalve, with its MitraClip technology for mitral regurgitation, would be acquired. However, for some reason, I didn’t think that Abbot Laboratories would be the gobbler. I thought Edwards or Medtronic or St. Jude might be the buyer. (Then again, I think Abbot was one of Evalve’s investors.)

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