When I find a good, educational video about heart valve surgery, I waste no time posting it here for all of us to learn from.
To this point, I just came across an excellent video all about aortic valve replacement surgery. It’s a great introduction to aortic valve surgery for patients recently diagnosed with aortic stenosis or aortic regurgitation. So, without further ado, here it is:
I realize there is a lot information in this video that is quickly presented to the viewer. So, to help you learn more about aortic valve replacement surgery, I have included several hyperlinks (below) to additional information referenced in this video.
Finally, please note this video specifically addresses aortic valve replacement via median sternotomy (a cut sternum). So you know, there are other approaches to heart valve replacement that your surgeon may consider given the nature of your valvular disorder.
I hope this helps you learn more about valve replacement surgery!
About The Author:Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 78 former valve surgery patients to help patients and caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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!
I just received a great question from Lauren about aortic valve replacement and robotic surgery.
Lauren writes, “Hi Adam - I’ve read about the use of the da Vinci robot for mitral valve repair. But, I’m curious to know if the robot is ever used for patients with other valve disorders. I have aortic stenosis, due to a bicuspid valve, and would like to have minimally invasive surgery. Any thoughts? Thanks, Lauren”
The da Vinci Surgical Robot
If Lauren would have sent me this question two weeks ago, my response would have been something like, “From what I know, the only clinical valvular use of the da Vinci Robot is for mitral repair.”
However, earlier this week, ATS Medical announced some very interesting news about robotic surgical approaches using a biological valve replacement, known as the ATS 3f Aortic Bioprosthesis.
Here’s a great recovery tip from Keith about using both hands after open heart surgery. Keith writes…
Hi Adam,
We have traded emails several times before. I have mainly asked you for contacts of other patients (like myself) who needed heart valve replacement following radiotherapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
I had my aortic valve replaced exactly one week ago now (with a bovine valve) at the Mercy Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. I came home after five nights and I’m surviving on just 4 paracetamol a day!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book. Your experience, research and patient stories helped prepare me for the surgery and the recovery. So you know, I was really concerned about the day-to-day challenges during the early recovery.
Well, one week into recovery, I would like to echo your thoughts with my own recovery tip for your readers. Here it is, “DO EVERYTHING WITH BOTH HANDS TOGETHER.”
Whether you are opening the fridge door or flushing the toilet, use both hands and both fingers together. This will ensure that the movements within the sternum and rib cage are symmetrical. For me, when I tried to do something with just one arm, the whole rib cage became twisted. That is when I would experience pain.
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. Heart Valve Replacement and Heart Valve Repair
