Adam’s Heart Valve Surgery Blog

I just received an excellent question from Gary about the Heart Valve Surgeon Database.

He writes, “Adam - I had mitral valve replacement eight weeks due to a prolapsed valve. Thanks to your book, your blog and the patients at this website, I’m doing better than expected. My post-op echo is showing no regurgitation! Obviously, I am very appreciative of my surgeon and his team. How can I add my experience to your heart surgeon database so that others can learn more about him? Thanks, Gary”

First off, congratulations to Gary!!! I’m thrilled to hear that he is doing so well during his recovery!

Second, if you are a former patient (like Gary), you can create your own surgeon profile at our Heart Valve Surgeon Database. That way, future patients - from all over the world - can learn about your surgeon and your surgical experience!

To add your surgeon profile, simply click here.

Keep on tickin!

I just received a great question from Taylor about heart valve replacement and heart valve repair options. Specifically, Taylor is curious to learn more about the Port Access System for the surgical treatment of aortic stenosis.

Taylor writes, “Hi Adam - I’m 62 years old and my cardiologist thinks I need heart valve replacement surgery due to stenosis in the aortic valve. The valve is narrow (.8 cm) and I’m starting to feel the symptoms - especially shortness of breath and fatigue. The docs have referenced the Port Access technique to replace the aortic valve. What do you know about the Port Access system? Thanks Taylor”

Diagram Of The Port Access Technique

Taylor raises an insightful question which focuses on the different options by which surgeons perform heart valve replacement and heart valve repair surgery.

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As you may have seen, the recent post, Did You Travel For Heart Valve Surgery?, has generated a lot of interest and response - as over 25 patients and caregivers have commented.

I have also received several emails from patients wanting to know more about traveling to The Cleveland Clinic for heart valve repair and heart valve replacement surgery.

That said, I called The Cleveland Clinic on Monday to better understand the scale and scope of patients traveling to the world’s number one cardiac care center. I learned three great factoids (from their patient education team) that you might find interesting. For 2008:

• More than 50% of Cleveland Clinic patients reside outside the state of Ohio;
• Patients from 89 countries came to The Cleveland Clinic for cardiovascular care; and
• Patients from all 50 states came to The Cleveland Clinic for cardiac surgery.

I hope this information helps you learn more about the patient profile at The Cleveland Clinic. To get direct patient feedback about surgeons at The Cleveland Clinic, please visit our Heart Surgeon Database.

Simply type “Cleveland” into the city search field. The search results will share actual patient experiences with the following cardiothoracic surgeons - Lytle, Svensson, Roselli, Gillinov, Mihaljevic, Smedira, Sabik and Pettersson.

Keep on tickin!

P.S. Please click here to leave a comment.

About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 78 former valve surgery patients to help patients and caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.

I just received a great question from Carol about traveling for heart valve surgery.

She writes, “I have concerns about choosing a hospital that is highly regarded for valve replacement surgery but out of town. Have any of your readers traveled significant distances for their surgeries? Were there any problems? How did they handle follow-ups? Thanks, Carol”

Carol raises a very good point. In fact, her email reminded me of my gut reaction when I was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and told I needed surgery.

“Even though I live in California, I’m going to The Cleveland Clinic or The Mayo Clinic!” I thought to myself. “No messing around… I want the best surgeon… That surgeon must be in Ohio or Minnesota.”

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