Adam’s Heart Valve Surgery Blog

One of my favorite television shows is 60 Minutes on CBS. I love the stories. I love the reporters. And, I love the way they tackle subjects that really make you think. (I even find Andy Rooney pretty darn funny.)

Yesterday, however, I was watching a very troubling 60 Minutes story about Trasylol. As you may know, Trasylol is a drug used during cardiac bypass surgery (including heart valve repair and heart valve replacement) to prevent blood clotting. The drug is manufactured by Bayer and its generic name is Aprotinin.

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Earlier today, I was exchanging emails with Dr. Paul Stelzer of Mount Sinai about the efficacy of the Ross Procedure. As you may know I had a Ross Procedure (aortic and pulmonary valve replacement), a few years ago due to severe heart valve disease (aortic stenosis).

Dr. Paul Stelzer - Mount Sinai (New York)

In talking with Dr. Stelzer, I learned some very interesting information about Dr. Stelzer’s history with the Ross Procedure.

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Blog Topics: Patient Life Expectancy After Heart Surgery; How Long Do Patients Live After Heart Valve Surgery; St. Jude Medical Research

I’m on day three of my work trip through Japan. So far, Tokyo is very impressive and… very crowded! I almost had a panic attack walking through the train stations this morning. So many people! I’ve since learned that Tokyo is one of the most populated cities in the world, with a population over 12 million.

Needless to say, the jet lag is still overwhelming considering I live in Los Angeles. That said, I’ve had some extra, early morning hours to dig through my inbox and answer some questions. I just received an interesting question about life expectancy after heart surgery. It reads, “Adam - Do you know what the life expectancy is for patients after heart valve surgery?”

That is a great question. Unfortunately, it is a very tough question to answer. As for life expectancy after heart valve surgery, it’s almost as difficult to answer, “How long will a mechanical mitral valve last?”

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Blog Topics: Open Heart Surgery Risk; Heart Valve Surgery Risk; Heart Surgery Complications; Open Heart Surgery Mortality Rates

If you didn’t already know, I have to share with you truth about life… Life is risk.

From the moment you wake up in the morning, you are in a risky situation.

Considering I live in Los Angeles, I think I have more risk than most. The drivers are crazy here! Every day I yell out, “What are you trying to kill me?”

My point… It is only natural to have some, if not lots of, concern about open heart surgery risk if you are the patient preparing for heart valve repair or heart valve replacement.

Heck! Any kind of cardiac procedure involves risk.

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