Bicuspid Aortic Valve Blog - Page 2

By Adam Pick

Heart Valve Summit Video #1: “When Can I Expect To Have Bicuspid Aortic Valve Surgery?” Asks Kim

By Adam Pick on October 19, 2012

Prior to the Heart Valve Summit, I received over 70 patient questions for the doctors at the conference. In her question, Kim asked, “Hi Adam, I have a bicuspid aortic valve with a valve size of .6 and a gradient of 80. When can I expect to have surgery?”

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Guest Post: After Bicuspid Valve Replacement Surgery, Theresa Focuses On Recovery Progress

By Adam Pick on July 27, 2012

One of my favorite parts of this project is hearing from patients after their surgeries. Yesterday, Theresa sent me a thoughtful note that touched on several elements of the surgical process. That said, I thought you might like to read and learn from Theresa’s experience.

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“Did Ethan Have An Echocardiogram To Check For Bicuspid Aortic Valve?” Asks Cindy

By Adam Pick on July 14, 2012

As a follow-up to Wednesday’s post about Northwestern’s Bicuspid Aortic Valve Program, I received an interesting note from Cindy. She writes, “I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and have already had valve replacement surgery. My question is, ‘Do my children need to be worried about inheriting this? Have you had Ethan checked?’”

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Northwestern’s Bicuspid Aortic Valve Program Highlights Trend To Sub-Specialization

By Adam Pick on July 11, 2012

One trend I’ve noticed over the years is that surgeons and cardiac centers are becoming “sub-specialists” specific to heart valve treatment. By sub-specialization, I mean that clinics are extending significant resources to advance valvular therapy by disease type, by surgical technique and by patient risk factors. For example, three weeks ago, I met with a surgeon who suggested that 99% of his procedures are mitral valve repairs.

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Patient Update: Olivia Is Born! Congratulations Sara & Matt!

By Adam Pick on March 30, 2012

Here is a great patient update from Sara. You might recall that the last time we heard from Sara, who has a bicuspid aortic valve, dilated aortic root, and coarctation of the descending aorta, she was newly pregnant with with a baby girl. Well, I have some inspirational news to share directly from Sara. She writes to us:

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“Is It Possible To Have A Bicuspid Aortic Valve Repaired With A Dilated Aorta?” With Dr. S. Chris Malaisrie

By Adam Pick on December 7, 2011

I recently received a great question about bicuspid aortic valve repair. The patient wrote to me, “Adam – I have a bicuspid aortic valve and a dilated aorta.  I think I need an aortic valve replacement and an aortic root replacement.  I’m curious.  Is it possible to get a bicuspid aortic valve repair instead of having it replaced?”

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Video: “Does A Bicuspid Aortic Valve Become Tricuspid During Heart Valve Repair Surgery?” Asks Sato

By Adam Pick on September 22, 2011

Sato sent me a very interesting question about bicuspid aortic valve repair. He writes, “Hi Adam – I’m 61. I’ve been diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve and severe regurgitation. I’ve been told a repair is possible. During surgery, does the bicuspid aortic valve become a tricuspid valve?”

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Trivia: What Is The Most Common Heart Valve Defect?

By Adam Pick on September 16, 2011

Time for your heart valve trivia of the day… Here’s the question:

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“Is Heart Valve Surgery Common For My Age?” Asks Phil

By Adam Pick on October 18, 2009

I just received a very appropriate email from Phil about age groups and heart valve surgery.

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After Bicuspid Valve Replacement And Root Repair, It’s Softball Season For Kevin

By Adam Pick on April 25, 2009

Anyone interested in a patient success story that smells of 100% inspiration?

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Jim’s Heart Surgery Adventure… Bicuspid Valve Replacement, Tamponade And Heart Failure

By Adam Pick on October 3, 2008

Talk about twists and turns during the early recovery from bicuspid aortic valve replacement surgery. Jim from Alabama has quite the tale to tell… Here is what he writes:

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Quirky Bicuspid Aortic Valve Membrane Surgery For Melissa

By Adam Pick on September 2, 2008

Here’s an inspiring email from Melissa, a recovering patient from Sydney, Australia. With her approval, I thought you might like to read it:

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What About Bicuspid Aortic Valves In Newborns?

By Adam Pick on March 24, 2008

Like many heart valve surgery patients, I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve. However, unlike many of you, I was not diagnosed with the bicuspid aortic valve defect as a newborn baby. It wasn’t until I was five years old that my family doctor heard my heart murmur. After that, diagnosis of the bicuspid valve was formally issued following my first visit to the cardiologist.

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Biocore Aortic Valve From St. Jude Medical

By Adam Pick on December 19, 2007

In the next revision of my book, I am going to provide even more information about the different types of heart valve replacements.

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Do You Have Any Bicuspid Aortic Valve Pictures?

By Adam Pick on August 29, 2007

So, I just received an email asking, “Do you have any pictures of a bicuspid aortic valve?”

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