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Heart Valve Replacement And Heart Valve Repair Blog For Patients With Aortic Stenosis, Mitral Regurgitation, Mitral Valve Prolapse, etc.

Today's Patient Story:
After Fainting While Bicycle Riding,
Randy Is "Lucky To Be Alive" With a Mechanical Valve Replacement.

>> Click here to read Randy's story.

 

Adam Pick - Heart Valves Author & Blogger
Adam Pick
Double Heart Valve Surgery Patient
and Author of The Patient's Guide
To Heart Valve Surgery


> Read My Story Here


Archive for the 'Top Heart Surgeons' Category

“How Can I Add My Surgeon To The Heart Valve Surgeon Database?” Asks Gary

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

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, simply click here.

Keep on tickin!

One Year After Heart Valve Surgery, Paul Praises Dr. Vaughn Starnes

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

It’s always great to receive patient success stories from our readers around the world. This one comes from Paul Ash, who had heart valve replacement from Dr. Vaughn Starnes one year ago. Here is what Paul writes:

Hi Adam,

Thanks for all of the great advice and articles over the last eighteen months.

Today is my one year anniversary from the date of my aortic valve replacement done by Dr. Vaughn Starnes at USC Medical Center. It feels a lot more remote than just one year ago.

One year later, I have no physical limitations after heart surgery. My blood pressure is perfect and I’m back to to running and playing golf regularly. I am also back to my trial practice here in Los Angeles, California.


Dr. Vaughn Starnes - Paul’s Surgeon

Thanks for all of the great advice. My wife, daughter and I all appreciate the articles, questions and answers. Congratulations on your son!

Best regards,
Paul Ash

P.S. Would you like to celebrate your surgeon? If so, please create your own surgeon profile at our Heart Valve Surgeon Database.

52% Less Mortality At Top-Rated Hospitals?

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

As patients and caregivers… We need to research our heart valve disease. We need to research our surgical options. We need to research surgeons. And, we need to research hospitals.

Why do we do this? Ultimately, I believe this research empowers us to make smart and confident choices that minimize our surgical risk.

On that note, I just read a fascinating report that suggests there is (i) a significant gap in quality among America’s hospitals, and (ii) a corresponding large difference in the rate of patient deaths.

Healthgrades said patients have a 52% percent lower risk of dying in a top-rated hospital than in United States hospitals in general. The study is based on an evaluation of hospital mortality related to 17 procedures and diagnoses at 5,000 non-federal U.S. hospitals. The study’s conclusions came after researchers examined 40 million Medicare hospitalization records from the years 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Continue reading this post »

After Insurance Switch, Bobbie Gets Successful Heart Valve Repair By Dr. Greg Fontana

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

I just received a great patient story from Bobbie Ayala about insurance providers, misdiagnosis, her procedure and Dr. Fontana. Without further ado, here is what Bobbie wrote me:

Adam,  I have been reading your book and following the stories in your blogs for over a year.  The information that I received dispelled many of the fears I had about heart surgery.  I want to share my experience with you.

I am a 57 year old female.  I was diagnosed with aortic regurgitation and I also had a 75% colluded coronary artery.  I had seen a cardiac surgeon at Kaiser and he was absolutely no help.  His recommendation was to “wait and see”.  Furthermore, he made some comments to the effect that if I wanted surgery he could schedule it next week.  For the record his name was Dr. Pfeiffer (do not recommend).  Anyway, the experience was to say the least scary and awful.  Then I started reading your book and following your blog.  I realized that maybe this surgeon was also incorrect.

Bobbie Ayala After Heart Valve Surgery

In July, I was able to change my insurance from Kaiser to Blue Cross Anthem.  With my new insurance, I could choose the doctor and hospital I wanted.  First, I checked out the best Heart Hospitals in the United States and determined locally, the best was Cedars Sinai.  (I also contacted one of the doctors at Cleveland Heart Institute and was given the advise, “Do not wait!”)

Continue reading this post »


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All rights reserved. Use of this website, Heart-Valve-Surgery.com assumes acceptance of the terms herein. All logos, pictures and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. This website has been developed and presented by Adam Pick, author of "The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery." Patient's stories herein, and the language used regarding heart valve replacement and heart valve repair, is intended to inform and educate. HOWEVER, it does not imply that you or anyone else will receive the same outcome. As with any medical procedure, results will vary among individuals, and there could be pain or substantial risks involved. These concerns should be discussed with your health care provider prior to any treatment so that you have proper informed consent and understand that there are no guarantees to healing. Adam Pick does not offer medical advice on this website. This information about valve replacement and repair is offered for educational purposes only. Do not act or rely upon our information without seeking independent professional medical advice. The transmission of this information does not create any relationship between you and Adam Pick. Adam Pick does not guarantees the accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or adequacy of any information available at or from this transmission.
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