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 - This blog is sponsored by Zimmer Biomet.
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 - This blog is sponsored by Edwards Lifesciences.
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.
Project ImaValve: Can A Heart Valve Repair Itself?
By Adam Pick on July 12, 2017
There is an outright explosion of medical advances specific to heart valve devices. In this edition of “Medical Wow!”, I’d like to introduce you to Project ImaValve.
Big News! FDA Approves SAPIEN 3 For Mitral & Aortic “Valve-In-Valve” Replacement!
By Adam Pick on June 15, 2017
In case you missed it…. There is some BIG NEWS to report. Last week, the SAPIEN 3 received FDA approval for mitral and aortic “Valve-In-Valve” replacement for high-risk patients. As you might remember, we’ve been talking about the wonderful possibilities of Valve-in-Valve techniques for years with doctors, like Dr. Eric Roselli, and patients, like Jesse McBride.
Technology Update: The “Forgotten Valve” Gets New Feasibility Study!
By Adam Pick on April 19, 2017
We’ve talked about how the tricuspid valve is often referred to as the “forgotten valve” within cardiac care. At the same time, we’ve also learned that the treatment of tricuspid valve regurgitation is on the rise — either as a stand-alone therapy or combined with a mitral valve procedure.
Technology Update: What Should Patients Know About Transcatheter Mitral Valve Therapy?
By Adam Pick on December 9, 2016
I get a lot of great questions and phone calls about transcatheter mitral valve therapy. So, at the recent Heart Valve Summit, I sat down with Dr. Steven Bolling to help all of us learn the latest updates about transcatheter mitral valve repair and replacement technologies.
What Does Your Aortic Valve Look Like in 3D?
By Adam Pick on October 24, 2016
I’m just getting back from the Heart Valve Summit in Chicago. It’s an amazing conference where hundreds of surgeons, cardiologists, nurses and medical device companies gather to discuss the best practices for heart valve management and therapy.
Technology Update: Exceptional Hemodynamics & More Earn Trifecta GT FDA Approval; 7 Facts You Should Know
By Adam Pick on August 9, 2016
In case you missed it… The Trifecta Valve with Glide Technology (Trifecta GT) just received a U.S. Food & Drug Administration approval. This is really great news for patients given the unique advantages of this aortic valve replacement.
Technology Update: Can A Mitral Valve Be Replaced Using A Catheter?
By Adam Pick on March 18, 2016
At the recent Heart Valve Summit, I received several questions about the latest technologies including TAVR, sutureless valves and the MitraClip. I also received questions about the new transcather mitral valve replacement device that is currently in a feasibility study.
Technology Update: FDA Approves Perceval Sutureless Heart Valve; 7 Facts You Need To Know
By Adam Pick on January 26, 2016
In case you missed it… The Perceval Sutureless Heart Valve just received a Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval on January 11, 2016. This is really big news as the Perceval is the first rapid-deployment, sutureless heart valve for patients with aortic stenosis.
Technology Update: Feasibility Study Begins for Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement!
By Adam Pick on June 30, 2015
It feels like there is an explosion of new technologies coming out to treat heart valve disease. As of late, we’ve talked about transcatheter aortic valve replacement devices (TAVR) and transcatheter mitral valve repair devices. But, what about about transcatheter mitral valve replacement?
4 Cutting Edge Apps to Monitor Your Heart Health
By Adam Pick on October 27, 2014
Not that long ago, people who underwent heart valve or other cardiovascular surgery had to wait until their next doctor’s appointment to monitor their heart health. Granted, you probably could have purchased an at-home blood pressure monitor or visited the local pharmacy… But, that was about the extent of it.
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