I just received an interesting question from Shirley about hair removal prior to heart valve surgery.

Shirley writes, “Adam, I’m set for valve surgery next week due to severe mitral regurgitation as a result of a congenital prolapse. Yes, I’m nervous. Yes, I’m anxious. Quick question: I have heard that all of my body hair will be shaved (even below my waist) prior to surgery. Is that true? Shirley”

As I read Shirley’s question, an unforgettable pre-operative memory flooded my brain.

That memory revolves around my full-body, hair clipping just minutes before my aortic and pulmonary valve replacement surgery. (So you know, I had no warning my body hair would be trimmed. To make matters more uncomfortable, the electric clippers used to trim my hair was dull. Yes… Ouch!)

However, given Shirley’s question, let’s be very clear about something. These days, it is rare that a patient’s body is “shaven” using a traditional razor. According to the Texas Medical Association, more than 30 years of scientific evidence demonstrates that shaving surgical sites with a razor before surgery increases infection risks resulting from microscopic skin abrasions. That said, to better manage infection risk related to hair, electric clippers are used to remove hair from the patient’s body.

As to the question of “How much of my body hair will be removed?”, I remember having most of my body hair trimmed — even my pubic hair. (Robyn, my wife, just confirmed that.)

However, it appears that approach may be changing.

Dr. Junaid Khan – Heart Valve Surgeon

In discussing this topic with Dr. Junaid Khan, a leading heart surgeon at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley, California, he noted, “The data suggests shaving does not prevent infection. Rather, it can actually increase infection. So, patients should not be shaved. Our patients have their body hair safely removed at the incision site using battery-powered clippers.”

Dr. Eric Roselli, from The Cleveland Clinic, echoed Dr. Khan’s statement by stating, “We use clippers to remove hair primarily at the patient’s incision site.”

I hope this helps clarify select, pre-operative approaches by which body hair is trimmed to reduce infection risks during heart valve repair and heart valve replacement operations.

I am hopeful our readers – who are former patients – might help Shirley by answering the question, “How much of your body hair was removed prior to surgery?” Simply click here to leave a comment. (Or, scroll down to read 15+ patient comments.)

Keep on tickin!

When Father Casey Bukala, 77, began experiencing extreme fatigue due a leaky heart valve, his primary care physician referred him to Dr. Alan Markowitz, a cardiothoracic surgeon at University Hospitals Harrington McLaughlin Heart & Vascular Institute. Given the positive nature of this video, I thought you might like to learn more Father Bukala’s story:

Here is some extra information about topics discussed in this video, if you are interested:

• Leaking heart valve symptoms
• About mitral valve regurgitation
• What is mild, moderate and severe mitral regurgitation?

I hope Father Bukala’s story provided you with additional information and inspiration about leaky heart valves and mitral valve repair.

Keep on tickin!

I just read in her Heart Valve Journal that Penny McIntosh has seen her recovery get “back on track” after a few post-operative complications including atrial fibrillation and fluid in her lungs. As you may know, Penny had mitral and tricuspid valve repairs and a MAZE procedure performed on February 26, 2010.

Penny McIntosh – Double Heart Valve Repair Patient

Although her experience has been self-described as a “roller coaster”, Penny’s positive attitude is quickly detected in her recent journal entries:

• “Last Saturday my heart went back to regular rhythm and has stayed except for a brief flip back to atrial fibrillation yesterday.”
• “I had a minor set back with a bout of pleurisy this week but the antibiotics have sorted that out quickly and my breathing is a lot easier today.”
• “I did get the all clear to drive from my GP this week but no inclination to go anywhere just yet and with a new SUV I need time to get used to it.”

Penny also took the time to show us what her scar looks like five weeks after surgery.

Penny’s Sternotomy Scar (5-weeks After Surgery)

Like many patients, including me, Penny also experienced some weight loss after surgery. She notes, “My weight has dropped down more than 8 kilograms in 5 weeks but I’m still on fairly high doses of diuretics.”

If you would like to read more about Penny’s heart valve surgery, simply visit Penny’s Heart Valve Journal. Or, if you would like to start your own free Heart Valve Journal, please click here.

Keep on tickin’ Penny!

Okay, here’s our heart valve trivia question for the day:

How many times do your four heart valves open-and-close every day?

A. 4,000
B. 40,000
C. 400,000
D. 4,000,000

According to The Cleveland Clinic, your heart beats about 100,000 every day. Considering there are four valves in the heart, which open-and-close with each heart beat, the answer is… 400,000.

To see how the heart valves open-and-close, watch this video titled, “How The Heart Works“.

Keep on tickin!

I often receive questions about pregnancy concerns from women wanting to have children before or after heart valve surgery. That said, here is an update from Melinda Hacker, a bicuspid aortic valve patient who just welcomed Alex, her new son, to the world:

Alex Hacker – Born To Melinda Hacker,
Bicuspid Aortic Valve Patient

Adam,

I wanted to give you an update on an email I sent to you about 8 ½ months ago telling you that I have a bicuspid aortic valve with a dilated aortic root and… I had just found out that I was pregnant.  Do you remember?

Read the rest of this entry »