Yesterday, I spoke with Denise, a 44 year-old patient suffering from severe mitral regurgitation. She asked me, “Adam – The first surgeon I met with has yet to request a cardiac catheterization. Is that normal? I thought all patients got heart caths before surgery?”

First… Great question Denise!

Second… For those of you unfamiliar with this diagnostic test, I have posted a video below which describe a cardiac catheterization, commonly referred to as heart caths.

Third… So you know, I did not have a cardiac catheterization prior to aortic valve replacement.

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It is with great sadness that I learned of Elizabeth Taylor’s passing this morning. After a long battle against heart disease, which included treatment for mitral valve regurgitation in 2009, Elizabeth Taylor experienced congestive heart failure — a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to the body’s organs.

As most of you know, Elizabeth Taylor was a Hollywood legend — having succeeded both as a child and adult actress in films including “National Velvet”, “Giant”, “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” and “Cleopatra”. For her acting efforts, Taylor, who was born in London, England, won two Academy Awards.

Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011)

Later in life, Taylor channeled her energy to a philanthropic fight against HIV/AIDS — raising millions of dollars alongside groups including the Human Rights Campaign.

Within this community of patients with valvular disorders, Elizabeth Taylor has a special place in our hearts. Elizabeth Taylor was the first public figure to have a MitraClip implanted to reverse the symptoms and damaging effects of severe mitral regurgitation.

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With all the exciting possibilities of transcatheter heart valve therapy, my inbox is overflowing with questions about the CoreValve, the Sapien and the MitraClip. For example, Dorothy sent me a question that reads, “Given all the advancements in certain treatments… Can you estimate a time when open heart valve replacement surgery will be part of a bygone era?”

I wanted to get Dorothy the best possible answer to this question. So, I met with Dr. Eric Roselli, staff surgeon from The Cleveland Clinic, to obtain his clinical opinions. Dr. Roselli is actively using transcatheter heart valves replacement therapies in his practice. In fact, Dr. Roselli is so knowledgeable with the percutaneous technologies shaping heart valve treatment, he was named the TechCon Co-Chairman at the annual Society of Thoracic Surgeons meeting.

I hope this helped you learn more about transcatheter heart valve therapies and their potential, future utility for patients suffering from valvular defects. Thanks to Dorothy for her excellent question. And, thanks to Dr. Roselli for sharing his time, expertise and ideas with our community!

For those of you in our patient and caregiver community who are hearing impaired, I have provided a transcript of Dr. Roselli’s interview below.

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For those of you following the story of 5-year old Sarah Weir… I have great news to share!!!

Sarah’s mitral valve repair surgery was completed by Dr. Pedro Del Nido at Children’s Hospital Boston on Wednesday. After some minor post-operative issues (blood pressure, swelling), Dr. Del Nido is very happy with the results!

Sarah Weir – Two Days After Mitral Valve Repair Surgery

As for Sarah… Pam, her mother, writes, “Sarah is mad as hell – but doing GREAT!!! She wants to go home! I ask New York??? She says NO – HOME – THE FOUR SEASONS.”

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One of the most visited sections at Heart Valve Journals, our social network, is the patient’s guestbook. It’s pretty amazing to see all the support, care, advice and love exchanged among patients, caregivers, friends and family members. For example, Judy Fridono has 775+ comments in her Guestbook following her recent heart valve surgery at USC.

To enhance the Guestbook, we just a launched a great new feature.

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