Since posting my video interview with Dr. Marc Gerdisch about Extracellular Matrix, I have received several patient emails about this unique technology. Paul writes to me, “Adam – What do you think about the procedure where an Extracellular Matrix cloth is attached to the damaged valve which stimulates tissue growth and fixes the problem without a heart valve replacement? Thanks, Paul”

Personally, I’m fascinated with technology. So, I’m very intrigued to see how Extracellular Matrix impacts heart valve repair and heart valve replacement surgery over time. However, to better understand the clinical application of Extracellular Matrix for patients today, I contacted Dr. Gerdisch, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at St. Francis Heart Center in Indiana.

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Advances in medical technology for valvular treatment continue to evolve rapidly. Recently, I learned more about the use of Extracelluar Matrix (ECM) for heart valve repair and remodeling from Dr. Marc Gerdisch, the chief of cardiothoracic surgery at St. Francis Heart Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2008, Doctor Gerdisch was the world’s first surgeon to use ECM to repair a damaged heart valve.

Here is my interview with Dr. Gerdisch. This discussion was in direct response to Scott’s question, “Will patients be able to grow their own heart valves in the future?”

To help you learn more about Extracellular Matrix and Dr. Gerdisch, I have provided an additional video about ECM and a transcript of this interview below.

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During the 47th annual Society of Thoracic Surgeons meeting last week, I received a great question from Keith about the use of horse (equine) tissue in heart valve replacement devices. Keith wrote to me, “Adam – What can you share about aortic valve replacement surgery using horse tissue?”

Luckily, I was able to discuss this topic with Dr. Allan Stewart at the convention. Dr. Stewart, who practices in New York City, is one of the most experienced heart valve surgeons with horse valve replacements — like the ATS 3f Aortic Bioprosthesis manufactured by Medtronic.

To learn more about Dr. Stewart’s unique patient advocacy efforts and successful surgical results, please click here. Also… As several members of our patient and caregiver community are hearing impaired, I have provided a video transcript below.

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The technology within minimally invasive heart valve treatment continues to advance… quickly. That said, many of our recent discussions have focused on transcatheter approaches for aortic valve replacement (via the Sapien) and mitral valve repair (using the MitraClip) for mitral regurgitation.

Medtronic’s CoreValve For Aortic Valve Replacment

Last week, Medtronic announced the beginning of its CoreValve clinical trial in the United States. The first CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure was performed by Dr. David Adams and Dr. Samin Sharma at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

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In case you missed it… Last week, The New England Journal of Medicine published results from the PARTNER Trial, a unique study that examines the safety and efficacy of the new, transcatheter SAPIEN heart valve replacement. Manufactured by Edwards Lifesciences, this investigational device is designed to treat aortic stenosis by replacing the patient’s aortic valve through a catheter — without causing any trauma to the patient’s sternum or ribs.

Edwards Sapien Heart Valve Replacement

Needless to say, the medical community, the investment community and our patient community have been anxiously awaiting results of this study for the SAPIEN device — which has yet to receive FDA approval in the United States.

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