Heart Valve Replacement Blog - Page 2
By Adam Pick
Technology Update: The ValveXchange Has Its First Implant!
By Adam Pick on October 9, 2011
Needless to say, this is a very exciting time in the development of heart valve therapies. In my opinion, this segment of cardiac care just became even more exciting as ValveXchange reported the first-in-man (FIM) implant of its two-part, heart valve replacement system.
“Is There A Trend Favoring Tissue Heart Valve Replacements?” Asks Jenny
By Adam Pick on June 25, 2011
When evaluating surgical options for a heart valve replacement procedure, a common patient concern is selecting the “right” mechanical or tissue valve. Specific to this topic, Jenny recently wrote to me, “Hi Adam – I’m 38 years old and need aortic valve replacement surgery. The durability of a mechanical valve is attractive but it seems like so many people, of all ages, are getting tissue valves. Is that a trend that I should be paying attention to?”
“What Are The Most Exciting Technologies For Heart Valve Treatment?” Asks Leslie
By Adam Pick on June 1, 2011
At the recent AATS meeting in Philadelphia, I was very fortunate to meet with Dr. Craig Smith, the chairman of surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center.
After FDA Approval, Trifecta Heart Valve Replacement Takes Over Philadelphia
By Adam Pick on May 20, 2011
Over the years, I have heard from many patients who wanted to learn about the Trifecta heart valve replacement and its clinical trials. As you might recall, this aortic valve replacement device is described by St. Jude Medical, its manufacturer, as a “next generation” heart valve replacement that:
“What Is The Best Heart Valve Replacement For My 16-Year Old Son?” Asks Carole
By Adam Pick on April 4, 2011
Carole recently sent me an interesting email about Ian, her sixteen-year old son who suffers from aortic valve disease.
Mosaic Porcine Heart Valve Replacement Still Tickin’ 12 Years Later
By Adam Pick on March 5, 2011
In case you missed it, some interesting data was just released about the Mosaic porcine heart valve replacement. According to a report in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, the Mosaic bioprosthetic valve — which has been implanted in patients for the past 12 years — continues to demonstrate positive performance.
STS Video Blog #4: “What About Horse (Equine) Tissue For Heart Valve Replacements?” By Dr. Allan Stewart
By Adam Pick on February 13, 2011
During the 47th annual Society of Thoracic Surgeons meeting last week, I received a great question from Keith about the use of horse (equine) tissue in heart valve replacement devices. Keith wrote to me, “Adam – What can you share about aortic valve replacement surgery using horse tissue?”
“Why Did My Heart Valve Replacement Go Bad?” Asks Steve
By Adam Pick on November 24, 2010
As a follow-up to our recent discussion about re-operation rates, I just received an interesting question from Steve about tissue valve replacements and the potential reasons for premature failure.
“What About Horse Valve Replacements?” Asks Joseph
By Adam Pick on October 21, 2010
I just received a very interesting question from Joseph about the different types of tissue heart valve replacements.
“How Much Do Heart Valve Replacements Cost?” Asks Mike
By Adam Pick on September 20, 2010
I just received a great email from Mike about heart valve replacements. Mike writes, “Adam – I’ve got a severely leaky valve and need mitral surgery. I’m 55 and never knew about my prolapsed valve. Just curious… If the surgeon can’t repair my leaflets, how much do the replacement devices cost? Thanks, Mike”
“How Will My Heart Valve Replacement Be Measured?” Asks Kate
By Adam Pick on September 11, 2010
I just received a great question from Kate about heart valve replacement surgery.
CoreValve Technology Gets European Approval
By Adam Pick on September 9, 2010
As technology for heart valve treatment rapidly advances, we continue to learn more about the roll-out of percutaneous devices for both heart valve repair and heart valve replacement. On Tuesday, Medtronic announced that regulators in the European Union have approved the latest version of its CoreValve heart system.
“Will Situs Inversus Impact My Heart Valve Replacement Surgery?” Asks Dave
By Adam Pick on September 9, 2010
I just received a unique question from Dave about situs inversus and heart valve replacement.
“How Big Is A Mechanical Heart Valve Replacement?” Asks Jenny
By Adam Pick on September 3, 2010
I just received an interesting question from Jenny about the size of a mechanical heart valve replacement.
“Will Carcinoid Cancer Treatment Impact My Bovine Heart Valve Replacement?” Asks Barb
By Adam Pick on August 29, 2010
I just received a very unique question from Barb about carcinoid tumor injections and bovine heart valve replacements. Barb writes to me:
“Where Does The Mitral Valve Replacement Go?” Asks Diane
By Adam Pick on July 13, 2010
I just received a great question from Diane about heart valve replacements.
Interactive Heart Valve Anatomy Tool At MyHeartValveChoice.com
By Adam Pick on May 4, 2010
In response to our recent discussions about the progression of heart valve stenosis and rheumatic heart valve disease, I have received several emails about the anatomy of the heart and the anatomy of our heart valves. Most of these inquiries have come from patients recently diagnosed with some form of severe valvular disorder.
Medtronic Gobbles Up ATS Medical As Heart Valve Device Consolidation Continues
By Adam Pick on April 30, 2010
The consolidation trend within the heart valve industry continued yesterday as ATS Medical was purchased by Medtronic in a cash deal valued at $350 million. So you know, that is a 54% premium to ATS’ market capitalization on Wednesday. As a result, ATS’s stock soared $2.59 to $4.00.
X-Ray Trivia: Can You Find Joe’s New Heart Valve Replacement?
By Adam Pick on April 23, 2010
Joseph Minnucci has really taken advantage of our new Heart Valve Journals tool to communicate with his support group and fellow patients. That said, you may already be aware that Joe had heart valve replacement surgery on February 8, 2010.
“How Do Tissue Heart Valve Replacements Open And Close?” Asks Mary Anne
By Adam Pick on March 23, 2010
I just received a great question from Mary Anne about heart valve anatomy. Specifically, she is interested to learn more about valvular function within the heart.
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Adam's Video Library
Learn about heart valve surgery and patient success stories at Adam’s video library.
