Alright. Let’s keep learning about heart valve surgery.
To do that, I have posted an excellent video about “The Basics of Heart Valve Surgery” by Dr. Vincent Gaudiani, a leading heart surgeon in Northern California. This video (i) discusses heart valve replacement devices and (ii) provides a special glimpse into the people and machines that function in an actual operating room.
Please note, this is PART II of Dr. Gaudiani’s educational video. To view PART I of the video, please click here. And, please remember to make sure the sound on your personal computer is turned on-and-up.
I LOVE what Dr. Gaudiani says during this video. Specific to heart surgery, Dr. Gaudiani states, “Reality is often less bothersome than one’s fantasy about these things.” So you know, that is exactly why I developed this website and wrote my book… To help YOU learn about the realities of cardiac surgery before, during and after cardiac surgery.
As you will hear, Dr. Gaudiani references several topics specific to heart valve surgery during this video. You may or may not be familiar with these terms. For that reason, I have provided supplemental information via the hyperlinks below. Feel free to click on these links to learn more:
If there is one thing I know from experience, heart surgery can have a profound emotional, physical and spiritual impact on patients and… their caregivers.
That said, here is a touching video update that shows an emotional, teary-eyed George Bush as he discusses Barbara Bush’s recovery from heart surgery. As you may know, the aortic valve of her heart was replaced with a pig valve.
There is nothing better than waking up in the morning, putting on my robe and slippers, grabbing a cup of coffee, turning on my computer and reading an inspirational, patient story like the one below. Plus, Jarrett’s thoughts about the “waddling penguins” and the “Adam Tinmen” made me giggle. That said, I thought you might like to read about Jarrett Roberts. He writes:
Hi Adam,
Valentine’s day – with the emphasis on love and hearts – has taken on a new meaning to me and my wife as I am on day 22 of my “second chance at life” as I had my bicuspid aortic valve repaired by Dr. Bruce Lytle at the Cleveland Clinic on January 23, 2009.
Jarrett Roberts – Arctic Marathoner And Valve Repair Patient
I found it interesting (at the Cleveland Clinic) to be one of the younger patients in for surgery. The nurses were all excited that a 6′ 7″ marathoner – I’ve done 83 including Antartica in 2005 – was in for surgery (as they normally get the unusual heart valve cases that other clinics won’t touch).
My bicuspid aortic valve was accidentally discovered less than two years ago during a routine cardiac calcium CT that was misdiagnosed as an aortic aneurysm. The follow-up tests showed that the radiologist had flipped the numbers and I didn’t have an aortic aneurysm. However, I did have a bicuspid congenital defect of my aortic valve.
As a result, my email inbox has been flooded with interesting questions about all types of heart valve surgery – especially aortic valve replacement.
Aortic Valve Replacement – Positioning A Prosthetic Valve
One of the questions comes from Tina about the frequency of aortic valve replacement. She writes, “Hi Adam – I’ve been diagnosed with aortic stenosis, like Barbara Bush, and will need surgery soon. I’m a fit, 63-year old grandmother and have never had any medical procedures before this. I’m scared but learning lots through your blog and book. One thing I’m curious to know is how many aortic valves are replaced each year?”
I just learned that one of my favorite comedians, Robin Williams, will need aortic valve surgery shortly. The actor and comedian was on an eighty-city tour called “Weapons of Self-Destruction” when he began to experience shortness of breath – a very common symptom of valve disorders including aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation.
Robin Williams To Undergo Heart Valve Surgery
According to his publicist and website, hospital tests showed that Robin Williams would need his aortic valve replaced. I have yet to learn when the surgery is scheduled and which type of valvular disease is negatively impacting the flow of blood across his aortic valve.
