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, simply click here.

Keep on tickin!

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.

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.

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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.

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!”)

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