Aortic Valve Replacement Blog
By Adam Pick
Artivion Stops PROACT Xa Clinical Trial Evaluating On-X Mechanical Valve With Apixaban
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: November 29, 2022
Artivion has stopped the PROACT Xa Clinical Trial evaluating the safety-and-effectiveness of the On-X mechanical valve with apixaban as a blood thinner to prevent clotting. The PROACT Xa clinical trial was designed to evaluate whether patients could safely receive an On-X mechanical valve without the lifelong monitoring requirements of warfain, the only approved blood thinner for mechanical valves.
“What About Unicuspid Aortic Valves?” asks Leslie
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: September 20, 2022
I just received several interesting questions from Leslie about unicuspid aortic valves. She emailed me, “Hi Adam – What can you tell me about unicuspid aortic valves? How are they treated? Are they genetic? If so, should I have my family screened?”
Email Bag: “What About Stroke Risk, TAVR and Age?” asks Jeff
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: August 16, 2022
As a follow-up to our recent post about stroke risk, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and cerebral protection, I just received an interesting question from Jeff.
TAVR & Stroke Risk: Top 5 Facts for Patients
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: August 11, 2022
Patient interest in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains incredibly high for people with aortic stenosis. As you may know, TAVR does not require an incision to the patient’s chest or ribs. In addition, patients do not go on the heart-lung machine and some patients are in the hospital for just one day.
Heart Warrior Spotlight: Sonny Gets Outpatient Valve Replacement Reoperation!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: October 14, 2021
It’s one thing to be told you need heart valve surgery.
Patient Webinar: Surgical vs. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 28, 2021
TAVR Innovation: Navitor Gets CE Mark Approval in Europe
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: June 11, 2021
The use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) devices for the treatment of aortic stenosis has soared in recent years.
Ari & Dr. Roselli Form Special Heart Valve Surgery Bond!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Eric Roselli, MD, Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery, Cleveland Clinic
Published: April 23, 2021
I am beyond happy to share that Ari Mintzer, 46, just had a successful aortic valve re-operation at the Cleveland Clinic on Tuesday. So you know, Ari needed a “re-do” because his 14-year old tissue valve was failing from aortic stenosis and regurgitation.
Is That Really Jeff’s Bicuspid Aortic Valve?
By Adam Pick on December 14, 2020
I don’t know about you… But, when I was first diagnosed with severe heart valve disease, I had no idea what a heart valve looked like. I really didn’t even know what my heart valves did. All I knew was that I was diagnosed with a heart murmur when I was five years old. That’s about it.
Amazing! Jerome Flashes a Heart-Felt “Thumbs-Up” From the ICU!
By Adam Pick on October 7, 2020
How far will the wonderful patients in our community go to inspire one another?
“What About Aortic Valve Replacement Failure, TAVR & Sternum Pain?” asks Mike
By Adam Pick on April 10, 2020
This is wonderful and a bit unexpected!
TAVR or SAVR: Which Operation Did Jim Get For Aortic Stenosis?
By Adam Pick on December 16, 2019
With the FDA approval of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for low-risk patients, people everywhere are wondering whether-or-not TAVR is right for them.
11 Weeks After TAVR, Mick Jagger Wows 60,000 Fans in Chicago!!!
By Adam Pick on June 25, 2019
It’s been 11 quick weeks since Mick Jagger had a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to treat severe aortic stenosis, a deadly form of heart disease that is under-diagnosed and under-treated.
Boston Scientific Gets FDA Approval For Lotus Edge TAVR!
By Adam Pick on May 2, 2019
The news coming out about transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) devices is non-stop.
Low-Risk TAVR Clinical Trial Results Released
By Adam Pick on March 17, 2019
Finally! We have results for one of the most talked about heart valve clinical trials at HeartValveSurgery.com!
“What Happens to Aortic Valve Debris During TAVR?” asks Shripad
By Adam Pick on November 8, 2018
I received a ton of GREAT questions for our recent Ask Adam Anything: Facebook LIVE Sessions at the Heart Valve Summit. One of the questions that I didn’t have time to answer came in from Shripad who asked, “Hi Adam – In the transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure (TAVR), what happens to the debris of the old diseased aortic valve which is crushed by the balloon catheter? If the debris cannot be removed, can tiny particles of the debris cause stroke or heart attack? Thanks!”
Surgeon Q&A: What About TAVR for Bicuspid Aortic Valves?
By Adam Pick on August 21, 2018
Great questions are coming in from our patient community about the use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for the treatment of bicuspid aortic valves. If you didn’t know, TAVR is a non-invasive approach to aortic valve replacement that does not require an incision to the patient’s sternum or ribs. TAVR was approved by the FDA in 2011 for “high risk” patients. In 2016, the FDA approved TAVR for “intermediate risk” patients. Recently, clinical trials have launched to test the safety and efficacy of TAVR in “low risk” patients.
“Are There Advantages to Heart Surgery Through The Ribs?” asks Dennis
By Adam Pick on April 16, 2018
We’ve learned together that there are several different approaches for surgeons and cardiologists to treat heart valve disease. There are open heart techniques and there are transcatehter approaches for heart valve replacement and repair. Specific to this spectrum of approaches, I received a great question from Dennis about minimally-invasive access through the ribs.
Surgeon Q&A: “What Are The Mortality Rates of Heart Valve Surgery?” asks Betty
By Adam Pick on December 7, 2017
I’ll never forget the flood of dislocating emotions and questions that raced through my mind when Dr. Bad Bedside Manner said to me, “Adam – You need heart valve surgery. And, you need it soon.” I felt confused. I felt alone. And, I felt afraid. Specific to the fear, I distinctly remember thinking, “What are the chances I might die during this incredibly complex surgery?” and “Is it heart surgery safe?” and “Is it worth the risk?”
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Surgeon Spotlight
Dr. Castro is a leading heart valve surgeon having performed over 3,000 heart valve repair and replacement operations during his 20-year career.
