When two, leading heart valve surgeons come together at an established cardiac care program, the expectations for success are high.

That said, it shouldn’t surprise you that Dr. David Adams and Dr. Paul Stelzer have transformed this hypothetical situation into reality at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Dr. Paul Stelzer, Me (Adam) & Dr. David Adams

Since Dr. Adams took over the program in 2002 and Dr. Stelzer joined the staff in 2007, Mount Sinai’s heart program has soared 21 rankings in U.S. News and World Report’s annual survey of cardiac centers.

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Patricia just sent me an interesting question about heart valve surgery recovery.

She writes, “Adam – I had mitral valve repair via the Da Vinci robot on December 15th, 2009. For the 1st time in my life, I have a fully functioning heart with NO murmur!  I have been recuperating for the last 6 months and I am getting progressively better, a little at a time. My question to you is this:  How long did it take for you to fully feel like “YOU” again?  It has been 6 months, and I still don’t feel 100% yet. Thanks, Patricia.”

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Great news everybody!!!

Several weeks ago, I learned that our $5,000 donation to the Gift of Life was going to help pay for the heart surgery of Victor Saravia, a 14-month old baby boy from El Salvador.

Today, I’m very happy to report that Victor is doing incredibly well after his complex heart surgery. Rob Raylman, a director from Gift of Life, wrote the following to me…

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As Dr. Allan Stewart wrote to me, “We did it!”

“It” was the New York City triathlon.

Dr. Allan Stewart (Surgeon) with Greg O’Keeffe (His Patient)

The “We” was…

• Dr. Allan Stewart, Director of the Aortic Valve Surgery Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia Medical Center, and
• Greg O’Keeffe, Dr. Stewart’s patient who had aortic valve replacement just two years ago.

You may recall that Greg dared Dr. Stewart to complete the endurance event to celebrate his surgery and raise awareness to heart valve disease. The triathlon included a 40-km bike ride, a 1500-meter swim in the Hudson River and 10-km run.

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Similar to its mitral regurgitation tool, The Cleveland Clinic just announced a new, online program to help patients and caregivers determine their need for cardiac surgery relative to aortic stenosis.

Here is a snippet from their website about the interactive, aortic stenosis tool:

“Is surgery recommended for your aortic stenosis? This interactive tool, based on the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association Guidelines for management of aortic valve disease will help determine if it is. The tool asks you several simple questions, considers your answers, and tells you whether you may be a candidate for surgery.”

In addition, Dr. E. Murat Tuzcu, cardiologist, and Dr. Lars Svensson, cardiac surgeon, provide some additional information about aortic valve stenosis – narrowing of the heart valve – in an educational video.

I hope you enjoy this new tool for aortic stenosis diagnosis.

Keep on tickin!