Since launching this blog five years ago, I’ve been very fortunate to attend unique events related to heart valve surgery. Last Friday, I attended a Medtronic “Wet Lab” at the Mitral Conclave in New York City. As the pictures and videos below illustrate, this was a memorable experience.

Dr. Vinay Badhwar Moderates The Heart Valve Repair Wet Lab

During the 90-minute session, led by Dr. David Adams and Dr. Vinay Badhwar, an ordinary conference room in the Sheraton hotel was transformed into a medical laboratory. There, heart valve surgeons — from around the world — exchanged views and opinions about heart valve repair techniques using annuloplasty rings.

Over 20 Heart Valve Surgeons Participate In The Wet Lab

Needless to say, this was an extraordinary event as 20+ surgeons used pig hearts to simulate the steps and processes required to improve valvular function using annuloplasty rings, including the Medtronic Tri-Ad Annuloplasty Ring.

As you can see in the video below, Dr. Badhwar, from Orlando, Florida, was the moderator of this session. I was fascinated by Dr. Badhwar’s discussion about the surgical approach and anatomical considerations for tricuspid valve repair.

While Dr. Badhwar moderated the session, Dr. Adams walked throughout the room discussing optimal techniques for heart valve repair.

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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!

I just received an interesting question from Frank about rheumatic heart disease and heart valve surgery.

Frank writes, “Hi Adam – I’m preparing for mitral valve repair surgery due to stenosis caused by rheumatic fever. So far, I have not come across many patients like me. I’m curious… Is rheumatic heart valve disease common? Or, am I the lucky outlier? Thanks, Frank”

After speaking with thousands of patients over the years, my gut response to Frank’s question is that his diagnosis is less common than other patients. However, this is not to say that Frank is alone. For example, if you type “rheumatic” into the search field on the side margin of this blog, you will see several patient stories relating to rheumatic fever.To further evaluate Frank’s question, I just did some quick research about rheumatic fever and heart valve disorders. I found some helpful information from the American Heart Association (AHA).

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Joseph Minnucci has really taken advantage of our new Heart Valve Journals tool to communicate with his support group and fellow patients. That said, you may already be aware that Joe had heart valve replacement surgery on February 8, 2010.

Joseph Minnucci – Heart Valve Replacement Patient

After reading through Joe’s journals, I clicked on his photos section. Amongst all the interesting and fun pictures, I found an x-ray which actually shows Joe’s new, aortic tissue valve. I thought you might want to see this amazing photo, so I inserted the picture below.

To help you locate the new valve, I included a red arrow that points directly to Joe’s new, 27 mm sized tissue valve.

X-ray Of Joe’s Aortic Valve Replacement (Tissue)

Pretty neat x-ray, right?

So you know, if you look real close… On the left side of the x-ray, you can see a few sternal wires as well.

Thanks to Joe for sharing this incredible x-ray with us!

Keep on tickin’!

As we have learned together, there are several strategies and tactics that patients can use to best prepare for their heart valve surgery. Specific to this point, I just received an insightful email from Sam Swerdlow about using guided imagery CDs prior to surgery. Here is what Sam wrote:

Sam Swerdlow, Heart Valve Replacement Patient, & Slater

Hi Adam,

I wanted to let you know of something very awesome that has happened to me. As I have emailed you before, I have been preparing for my aortic valve replacement by listening to meditation and guided imagery cds.

There are many goals of guided imagery. One goal is to learn deep relaxation techniques so the body can heal more rapidly. Another goal is to visualize surgery with no complications, minimal bleeding, and little (or no) discomfort after the procedure.

The listener learns how the patient can become an active participant in healing their body through surgery. During the last two weeks, I have been working with two programs – “Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster” by Peggy Huddleston and “Meditations to Promote Successful Surgery” by Belleruth Naparstek.

I have been focusing my energy on my heart and my aortic valve, visualizing both my body’s acceptance and the healing of a new tissue valve. Tonight, I suddenly realized that for the last four or five days I have not experienced any of the heart discomfort (arrhythmias and palpitations) that had been becoming more-and-more prevalent over that last three months.

Typically, that discomfort was most common during mild activity or when was I laying down at night. Now, my heart beats as it should and I am not experiencing any symptoms of my severe aortic stenosis.

What a bonus! And, what confirmation of the powerful roles we, as patients, play in our own successful surgeries and in our healing process.

I was so excited I just had to email you. Please let Anita know how valuable her blog was for me in preparing for surgery. I’m sure I’m not alone. There must be others that have benefited from Anita’s tips.

Keep up the great work Adam! Thanks again for your heart valve surgery book!

Sam Swerdlow,
Oregon

P.S. I recently received a post-op email from Sam. He writes, “I thought I’d send you an update on my successful aortic valve replacement procedure performed by Dr. Gillinov. It could not have gone smoother. It was awesome finally meeting Dr. Gillinov in person. He exceeded my expectations in every way.”

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