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Led By Dr. Adams & Dr. Badhwar, Medtronic "Wet Lab" Offers Best Practices For Heart Valve Repair

By Adam Pick on May 13, 2011

Since launching this blog five years ago, I've been very fortunate to attend unique events related to heart valve surgery. Last Friday, I attended a Medtronic "Wet Lab" at the Mitral Conclave in New York City. As the pictures and videos below illustrate, this was a memorable experience.

Dr. Vinay Badhwar Moderates The Heart Valve Repair Wet Lab

During the 90-minute session, led by Dr. David Adams and Dr. Vinay Badhwar, an ordinary conference room in the Sheraton hotel was transformed into a medical laboratory. There, heart valve surgeons -- from around the world -- exchanged views and opinions about heart valve repair techniques using annuloplasty rings.

Surgeons Practicing Heart Valve Repair At Wet Lab

Over 20 Heart Valve Surgeons Participate In The Wet Lab

Needless to say, this was an extraordinary event as 20+ surgeons used pig hearts to simulate the steps and processes required to improve valvular function using annuloplasty rings, including the Medtronic Tri-Ad Annuloplasty Ring.

While Dr. Vinay Badhwar moderated the session, Dr. Adams walked throughout the room discussing optimal techniques for heart valve repair. Here's a quick video of Dr. Adams discussing the use of annuloplasty rings implanted during heart valve repair.

So you know... Prior to this event, I did not know what a wet lab was. However, this session really extended my awareness to the "behind the scenes" care and extensive, ongoing training required for proper valve treatment.

Although I did not understand 90% of the language used during the session, I really appreciated this community of surgeons who came together to learn from and support each other.

Thanks to Dr. Adams, Dr. Badhwar and Medtronic for providing us inside access to this special event.

Keep on tickin!
Adam

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Written by Adam Pick
Patient & Website Founder

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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