Medical Technology Blog
By Adam Pick
Technology Update: SternaLock Blu May Bring Faster Healing & Less Pain to Heart Surgery Patients
By Adam Pick on November 13, 2019
For heart surgery patients, one of the scary and dislocating thoughts associated with the operation is… having your sternum broken.
Technology Update: Pipeline Medical Gets First-In-Man TMVR Implant & Gore Acquisition
By Adam Pick on November 4, 2019
In case you missed the big news…
Clinical Trial Update: Evolut Low Risk TAVR Trial
By Adam Pick on April 25, 2019
If you are interested in the new clinical trial results for low-risk TAVR devices, I just posted a follow-up story to my last article about the PARTNER 3 research study by Edwards Lifesciences.
Heart Surgery Innovation: Robotic Mitral Valve Surgery Evolves with Percutaneous Cannulation
By Adam Pick on September 11, 2018
There are LOTS of great advances happening in the treatment of heart valve disease. Many of those technological breakthroughs enable cardiologists and surgeons to perform life-saving procedures with smaller-and-smaller incisions.
Breakthrough Discovery: INSPIRIS RESILIA Aortic Valve Approved by the FDA
By Adam Pick on August 9, 2018
In case you missed it… The INSPIRIS RESILIA heart valve is now available in the United States. This is an important development for patients who require a more resilient tissue valve for the replacement of their native or prosthetic aortic valve.^
Technology Update: How Did 4D-MRI Help John Time Bicuspid Valve & Aneurysm Surgery?
By Adam Pick on May 31, 2018
Timing heart valve surgery can be tricky for cardiologists, for surgeons and, ultimately, for patients. For this reason, doctors and medical device companies are working together to develop next-generation technologies to determine the right time to operate or to continue “watchful waiting”.
Rigid Sternal Fixation: Top 6 Facts for Patients
By Adam Pick on February 1, 2018
As I personally experienced… Sternal wires are commonly used to support the breast bone as it heals after open heart surgery. As a community… We have openly discussed the discomfort and pain that can be associated with sternal wires during the healing process. In fact, several patients in our community have had their sternal wires removed.
Surgeon Q&A: What About “Valve-in-Valve” Procedures for Small Tissue Valves?
By Adam Pick on November 22, 2017
Given all the recent developments about “Valve-in-Valve” procedures, my inbox is swelling up with questions. For example, Connie asked me, “I had my aortic valve replaced in 2014. What are the chances of Valve-in-Valve replacement for smaller sizes such as 21mm Edwards Magna Ease pericardial valve?”
5 Important Facts About the Heart-Lung Machine
By Adam Pick on September 12, 2017
For most patients needing heart valve surgery, a heart-lung machine is typically used during the operation. As you may know, the heart-lung machine enables the surgeon to stop and cool the heart so the valve can be fixed while the heart is not beating.
Will 3D Printed Heart Valves Improve Patient Outcomes?
By Adam Pick on August 2, 2017
I can not keep up with all the new advances in heart valve therapy. In the last 24 hours, I learned about FDA approvals for the Avalus heart valve by Medtronic and the Inspiris Resilia by Edwards Lifesciences. I also came across a fascinating story about 3D printing and heart valve replacements.
Upcoming Surgeries
Bryan Savage
Mitral Regurgitation
July 8, 2020
Fred Lopez
Aortic Regurgitation
July 10, 2020
Katheryn Applegate
Aortic Stenosis
July 13, 2020
Heart Hospital Map
Search for heart hospitals that specialize in heart valve treatment.
Surgeon Spotlight
Dr. Joanna Chikwe is the Chair of Cardiac Surgery at Smidt Heart Institute of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.
