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Ask Adam Anything Live at The Heart Valve Summit!

By Adam Pick on October 9, 2018

You’ve got questions! Let me get the answers!

That’s right. Send me your questions about heart valve surgery and I’ll get them answered during our 1st Facebook LIVE sessions at the Heart Valve Summit this Thursday, October 11! Simply EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS to adam@heartvalvesurgery.com or post your questions below.

When Are The Facebook LIVE Sessions?

On Thursday, October 11, we are very lucky to have scheduled three Facebook LIVE sessions during the Heart Valve Summit. I will be joined by Dr. Steve Bolling, Director of the Mitral Valve Program at Michigan Medicine, Dr. Patrick McCarthy, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and Dr. Eric Roselli, the Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.

The agenda for the Facebook LIVE sessions on Thursday, October 11 are:

9:00 am CST: Dr. Eric Roselli, Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery at Cleveland Clinic
2:30pm CST: Dr. Steve Bolling, Director of the Mitral Valve Program at Michigan Medicine
3:30pm CST: Dr. Patrick McCarthy, Chief of Cardiac Surgery, Northwestern Memorial Hospital

This is going to be great. Don’t forget to send your questions to adam@heartvalvesurgery.com.

Keep on tickin!
Adam

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.

Stephen Eisen says on October 10th, 2018 at 3:06 pm

Hi, Adam my name is Steve Eisen from Bakersfield CA. I had Mitral Replacement Surgery performed in Jan 2016 by Dr Vaughn Starnes w/a Edwards Life Sciences Bovine Valve that’s suppose give me around 10years or more. This surgery was an open chest(my second one).
What are the chances that around 2025 technology advancement will allow Mitral replacement WITHOUT opening up the chest? Thank You Steve

richhahn says on October 10th, 2018 at 3:33 pm

What causes calcification of the aortic valve and what can be done to prevent it, as it appears to be a western based disease?

What should a person do to extend the life of a valve installed through tavr?

Mark Jaycox says on October 10th, 2018 at 4:34 pm

Hi Adam, I’m looking at AVR surgery before the end of the year. I’m 57 years old and am looking at the Edwards Inspiris Resillia Tissue valve. I know this was just FDA approved last year but from what I’ve heard this valve can last up to 25 years AND if I ever need to get it replaced they can do it through the TAVR procedure. My question is what have you heard about this valve and I know everyone is different but just would like your thoughts about this.

Jenny says on October 10th, 2018 at 4:36 pm

My name is Jenny and my husband died 41 days following a mitral valve replacement. He was still in hospital being treated for an infection! It was only when he collapsed that it was decided a PVL they knew about from his operation was jetting and most likely causing his problems that they attempted a leak closure. It was too late his RV had deteriorated and 18 hours later he passed away. I am looking for answers and would be pleased to receive from another party what should have been done to help him.

Michael F. Glanders says on October 10th, 2018 at 4:47 pm

What is the main thing I should be concerned with following my Aortic Valve replacement surgery with an On X mechanical valve?

Michael F. Glanders says on October 10th, 2018 at 5:27 pm

Why is my heart surgeon recommending that I take Qunol before my heart surgery?

Edie Lassonde says on October 10th, 2018 at 8:16 pm

Hi, I have a badly prolapsed tricuspid valve and severe restrictive lung disease. I am not a surgical candidate. What new equipment will be coming out that is FDA approved that is transcatheter placement of tricuspid valve? Shands had looked at me for a cava valve placement but its costs $100,000 out of pocket because it is not approved by FDA. Any ideas? Thank you Edie.

Adam says on October 10th, 2018 at 8:40 pm

Hi Michael. Great question! Let me get you an answer. Adam

Adam says on October 10th, 2018 at 8:41 pm

Thanks Michael! I’ll do my best to get this answered tomorrow!

Adam says on October 10th, 2018 at 8:45 pm

I am so very, very, very, very sorry to hear of your loss Jenny. There are no words that I can share to convey the sadness I feel in this moment. I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and your husband’s spirit. I will discuss this tomorrow during the our live sessions. Love, Adam

Adam says on October 10th, 2018 at 8:47 pm

Hi Mark, Thanks! Here’s some information about the INSPIRIS that can help answer your questions – https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2018/08/09/inspiris-resilia-fda-approval/.

Adam says on October 10th, 2018 at 8:47 pm

Great questions. Thanks Rich!

Adam says on October 10th, 2018 at 8:48 pm

Hi Stephen,

Considering that Vaughn Starnes was my surgeon… We’re SURGICAL BROTHERS!!!

I will get this fantastic question answered tomorrow for sure!

Kelli Dang says on October 10th, 2018 at 9:11 pm

Hi, Adam, I’m 58 and 11 weeks post-surgery for mitral valve repair. It went well and the regurge has stopped. But my heart, normal-sized before surgery, is enlarged now and my ejection fraction went from 50% pre-surgery to 30-35% now.
I never knew someone could have successful surgery yet be worse off than before. Any idea what percentage of patients have had this happen to them, or am I just a freak of nature?!! Also, 6 grams of carvedilol makes me dizzy. Do you know of any other med that will work in tandem with lisinopril to strengthen the heart?

Margreth says on October 10th, 2018 at 10:55 pm

I would very much like to know, if the more recent Edwards Inspiris Resillia Tissue valve is safer and longer lasting than animal aortic valves. And is the TAVR really better than the old proven open heart surgery. I understand, the chances of death, or need of a pacemaker, and /or ending up with A-Fib are still much higher with TAVR than with the open heart surgery.
Can you please get answers for this?
Many thanks to you and your wonderful newsletter.

Ron Weaver says on October 11th, 2018 at 1:13 am

Hi Adam. I have an ascending aortic
aneurism and a perfectly functioning bicuspid aortic valve. Why do I still see people getting full sternotomy’s instead of minimally invasive. Is it safer to have a full sternotomy? Is it less time in the OR? Thank you for all you do. It has meant the world to me. Ron Weaver

Dan Schill says on October 11th, 2018 at 8:14 am

Hi Adam !!!

Dave Growley says on October 11th, 2018 at 11:17 am

Hello. I am 54 and facing aortic replacement for a regurgitating bicuspid valve. I am told that i should go with a mechanical valve due to my age but I am very concerned about being on blood thinners for the rest of my life. I am an active person and this will not be a good thing for my lifestyle.