Aortic Valve Replacement Blog - Page 3
By Adam Pick
Transcatheter Heart Valve Technologies Continue To Make Headlines
By Adam Pick on December 20, 2011
Like many of you, I’m fascinated by the possibilities of medical technology.
“What Are The Different Kinds Of Minimally Invasive Surgery For Aortic Valve Replacement?” Asks Jim
By Adam Pick on November 28, 2011
Recently, Jim sent me a great question that reads, “Adam – I’m 65 and diagnosed with moderate aortic valve stenosis. It seems there are a couple of different types of minimally invasive surgery. Can you help me understand that better?” (To learn more about aortic stenosis, click here.)
New Reports Surface About The SAPIEN Aortic Valve Replacement
By Adam Pick on November 17, 2011
In case you missed it… Some very interesting reports came out about the SAPIEN, a non-invasive aortic valve replacement for patients with aortic stenosis that just received FDA approval for inoperable patients, at the recent Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics conference in San Francisco.
Heart Valve Summit Video #4: “Why Are The New Transcatheter Therapies Only For Inoperable Patients?” Asks Cory
By Adam Pick on November 7, 2011
As we learned last Thursday, the FDA just approved the new SAPIEN transcatheter aortic valve replacement for inoperable patients. This exciting announcement has left many patients and caregivers wondering why the SAPIEN is only for inoperable patients in the United States.
Special Technology Update: FDA Approves First Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Therapy For “Inoperable” Patients
By Adam Pick on November 3, 2011
Big, big, big, biggggggg news everybody!
“What Are My Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery Risks?” Asks Sharon
By Adam Pick on October 21, 2011
I just received an email from Sharon that rekindled a memory. Sharon writes, “Hi Adam – I was recently diagnosed with severe aortic valve stenosis and I need an aortic valve replacement. Even though I’m 62 and in relatively good shape, I’m worried about making it through. Do you know what the mortality rates and surgery risks are for aortic valve replacement? Thanks, Sharon”
JenaValve Gets CE Mark For TAVI Device In Europe
By Adam Pick on October 5, 2011
As patients in the United States continue to wait for FDA approval of transcatheter aortic valve replacement devices, another TAVI technology just received a CE mark for commercial use in Europe.
One Step Closer To FDA Approval For SAPIEN Aortic Valve?
By Adam Pick on July 26, 2011
Within our patient and caregiver community, there is great excitement about transcatheter aortic valve replacement technology. These non-invasive approaches for aortic stenosis treatment are often described with adjectives including revolutionary and transformational.
Technology Update: First Human Implant of Portico Transcatheter Aortic Heart Valve Replacement
By Adam Pick on June 13, 2011
On the heels of the FDA approval for its Trifecta heart valve replacement, St. Jude Medical just announced that Dr. John Webb of St. Paul’s Hospital in Canada has completed the first human implant of the new Portico aortic valve replacement.
Technology Update: Robotic Aortic Valve Replacement With Dr. Hussam Balkhy
By Adam Pick on May 5, 2011
While the Da Vinci robot is primarily used for mitral valve repair procedures, a handful of clinical cases have leveraged robotic technology for aortic valve replacement.
Medtronic Gets FDA Approval For CoreValve Percutaneous Aortic Valve Replacement Trial
By Adam Pick on October 19, 2010
Interest in catheter-based technologies for heart valve repair and heart valve replacement continues to skyrocket.
“CoreValve Treatment For Aortic Regurgitation? Bicuspid Aortic Valves?” Asks Jim and Mark
By Adam Pick on September 11, 2010
Within minutes of posting “CoreValve Technology Get E.U. Approval”, I received two excellent questions from Jim and Mark. Their questions were, “Can the CoreValve system treat aortic regurgitation?” and “Can the CoreValve technology replace my bicuspid aortic valve?”
Surgeon Interview: Dr. Husam Balkhy Extends Robotic Surgery To Aortic Valve Replacement
By Adam Pick on July 7, 2010
This is an exciting time for the medical treatment of diseased heart valves. As demonstrated in prior blogs, unique technologies are rapidly evolving to correct heart valve disorders including stenotic aortic valves and regurgitant mitral valves. That said, conversations specific to minimally invasive heart valve procedures often stimulate exciting clinical and patient possibilities.
Dr. Michael Baity Loses 20 Pounds Prior To Aortic Valve Replacement By Dr. McCurry
By Adam Pick on December 23, 2009
In the past, we’ve discussed how patients, like Sylvia Woolworth, got physically and mentally fit prior to heart valve surgery. Specific to this topic, I recently opened an email from Dr. Michael Baity, a retired dentist from Michigan. Dr. Baity just had aortic valve replacement surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. Here is what he wrote to me:
“What About Port Access For Heart Valve Surgery?” Asks Taylor
By Adam Pick on October 31, 2009
I just received a great question from Taylor about heart valve replacement and heart valve repair options. Specifically, Taylor is curious to learn more about the Port Access System for the surgical treatment of aortic stenosis.
“How Many Aortic Valve Replacement Surgeries Are Performed Each Year?” Asks Tina
By Adam Pick on March 7, 2009
What a week for those interested in the topic of heart valve surgery!!!
Medtronic Further Consolidates Heart Valve Industry
By Adam Pick on February 24, 2009
On November 27, 2007, I posted a blog titled, “Will Heart Valve Manufacturers Consolidate And Gobble Up Each Other?”. In that post, I rambled-on about the possibility that the heart valve industry would consolidate to create advantages for both patients and manufacturers.
Latest Technology In Aortic Valve Surgery, For Jenny
By Adam Pick on September 2, 2008
I just received an email from Jenny, a 57-year old mother of two, who was recently diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis.
Jason’s 26 Year Old Bjork-Shiley Mechanical Valve Stays Put
By Adam Pick on August 9, 2008
One of the most common questions I get relates to the life expectancy of heart valve replacement devices. It’s a great question that fundamentally underlies a critical patient concern. That concern is the fear of a second cardiac surgery operation.
After Mild Stroke And Vietnam, Vernon Prepares For Aortic Valve Replacement Procedure
By Adam Pick on August 5, 2008
The patient stories that arrive in my inbox are nothing short of inspirational. Here is the story of Vernon Young from Indiana. He writes:
New Patient Posts
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Surgeon Spotlight
Dr. Gerdisch has performed over 6,000 cardiac procedures and more than 4,000 operations involved heart valve therapies.
