Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog

I just received a question from Emma about the normal size of an aortic valve.

She writes, “Hi Adam, I’ve been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis although I am asymptomatic. I believe I’m on the path to surgery as my echo shows a valve area of 0.9. I’m curious. What is the normal size of the aortic valve? Thanks for all you do! Emma”

Like Emma, I had this exact question when I was told by my first cardiologist (aka Dr. Bad Bedside Manner) that I needed heart valve replacement surgery.

To help Emma, please see the chart above which contains the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for aortic stenosis. As shown, the severity of aortic stenosis can result from three criteria –  valve area (size), aortic velocity and aortic valve gradient.

Specific to size, a normal aortic valve area is >2 centimeters squared (cm2). If the valve area is between 1.5 and 2.0 cm2, the stenosis is mild; if the valve area is between 1.0 and 1.5 cm2, the stenosis is moderate; if the valve area is between 0.6 and 1.0 cm2, the stenosis is moderate-severe; areas of less than 0.6 cm2 constitute severe aortic stenosis.

If you are curious, here is a picture of a normal aortic valve:

And, here is a picture of a stenotic aortic valve that is bicuspid with calcified leaflets:

I hope that helps Emma (and all of us) learn a little more about aortic stenosis and aortic valve size.

Keep on tickin!

P.S. To leave a comment, please click here.

I am a huge fan of all types of music – from classic rock to jazz to country to opera to new age. I even play a few instruments including the guitar and bass.

On that note (pun intended), it was 1987 when I first listened to Sting’s second solo release, Nothing Like The Sun. On that cd, there was an incredibly soothing song that would eventually become one of my favorites. That song is “Be Still My Beating Heart”.

I’m not sure if you have similar musical tastes to mine. But, given the theme of this blog and its interesting lyrics, I figured it might be fun to share this calming song with you. Simply press the play button below and make sure the volume on your computer is on.

If you are curious, here are the lyrics:

“Be Still My Beating Heart”

Be still my beating heart
It would be better to be cool
It’s not time to be open just yet
A lesson once learned is so hard to forget
Be still my beating heart
Or I’ll be taken for a fool
It’s not healthy to run at this pace
The blood runs so red to my face
I’ve been to every single book I know
To soothe the thoughts that plague me so

I sink like a stone that’s been thrown in the ocean
My logic has drowned in a sea of emotion
Stop before you start
Be still my beating heart

Restore my broken dreams
Shattered like a falling glass
I’m not ready to be broken just yet
A lesson once learned is so hard to forget

Be still my beating heart
You must learn to stand your ground
It’s not healthy to run at this pace
The blood runs so red to my face
I’ve been to every single book I know
To soothe the thoughts that plague me so

Stop before you start
Be still my beating heart

Never to be wrong
Never to make promises that break
It’s like singing in the wind
Or writing on the surface of a lake
And I wriggle like a fish caught on dry land
And I struggle to avoid any help at hand

I sink like a stone that’s been thrown in the ocean
My logic has drowned in a sea of emotion
Stop before you start
Be still my beating heart

Have a great 4th of July weekend!

Keep on tickin!

On March 31, we donated $5,000 to the Gift of Life charity to help children born with heart defects. The donation was raised thanks to (i) purchases of my book and (ii) sponsorships from surgeons, clinics and medical device manufacturers.

Today, I learned that our donation will help Victor Manuel Saravia, a 12-month old boy from El Salvador that is very ill. Here is a recent picture of Victor:

Continue reading this post »

As strange as this sounds… In today’s edition of The Chicago Tribune I find myself on the cover of an educational magazine titled “Cardiovascular Care”.

So you know, when I started this project, I never imagined it would turn into anything. I simply wanted to help one patient. Now, four years later, I am happy to report that we (emphasis on we) have helped thousands of patients and caregivers through heart valve surgery.

While I’m in this magazine, the true recognition belongs to you – the patients and caregivers of this special community. Thanks for all of your continued support. Together, we (again, emphasis on we) are making a difference. That difference is evident in the rapid expansion of this blog, the Heart Valve Surgeon Database, Heart Valve Journals and our recent charitable donation. Your caring support continues to touch, move and inspire the world.

I would also like to thank Cullan Shane Stefanik, the publisher at Media Planet, who coordinated this comprehensive effort to educate the Chicago-land people about cardiac care. Finally, thanks to The Chicago Tribune for running this awareness campaign about heart disease.

Luckily, I was granted the right to share this magazine with all visitors to my website. That said, if you would like to download and read this magazine, simply click the button below.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Keep on tickin!

I just received an interesting question from Nicole about sleeping on your stomach after open heart surgery.

Nicole writes, “Adam – I had my mitral valve repaired 2 weeks ago. The surgeon used a sternotomy, so my chest is still sore. I’m a tummy sleeper, so I’m not sleeping well. How long until I can sleep on my stomach? Thanks! Nicole”

Like Nicole, I am a tummy sleeper as well.

For me, it’s the most comfortable position to sleep. Plus, Robyn (my wife) has learned that when I sleep on my stomach, I don’t snore… as loud. That said, after my surgery, it was a tough adjustment sleeping on my back – for me and Robyn.

As for Nicole’s question, I do not have a definitive answer for her. It needs to be stressed that healing is a personal process. Some patients heal faster than others. I know, from experience, that benchmarking healing milestones (spending time alone, driving, returning to work, etc.) can really upset and frustrate patients during their recovery.

Please Remember: The Road To Recovery Is Not Always This Direct

If you are curious… My return to “tummy sleep” was a two-step process. First, at 4 weeks, I began sleeping on my side for a few hours each night. Then, at about 6-7 weeks, I was sleeping on my stomach full-time.

Again, please remember that we heal at different rates. I’m sure many of the former patients who visit this blog had completely different experiences specific to sleeping after cardiac surgery. I am hoping they might leave a comment to share their thoughts and stories with Nicole by clicking here.

I hope this helps Nicole (and perhaps you) learn more about sleeping after heart surgery.

Keep on tickin!