Mitral Valve Repair Blog
By Adam Pick
Surgeon Roundtable: 6 Mitral Valve Surgery Myths Busted!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: November 16, 2022
When diagnosed with mitral valve disease, patients can be confused and misinformed about how to get the best treatment. To make matters worse, many cardiologists DO NOT know the latest research and techniques used to treat broken mitral valves.
Patient Q&A: Leila’s Recovery From Heart Valve Surgery
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: October 12, 2022
I just had an insightful conversation with Leila Saeid, a mom, wife and dentist in Southern California, about her recovery from minimally-invasive heart valve surgery. We were also joined by Leila’s surgeon, Dr. Joanna Chikwe, the Chair of Cardiac Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
“Can I Get Robotic Mitral Valve Surgery? Or, Do I Need A MitraClip?” asks Bodybuilder Rich
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Joanna Chikwe, MD, Chair of Cardiac Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Published: September 22, 2022
I just received a great question from Rich about mitral valve surgery. In his email, Rich asks, “Hi Adam, I’m a 63-year-old male who competes in natural bodybuilding. Three years ago, I had a mechanical aortic valve replacement. Now, I have severe mitral regurgitation with mild atrium dilation. I have only mild symptoms such as an occasional palpitation. Can I get the mitral valve repaired with a robotic procedure, or is the MitraClip the protocol given my risk factor?”
“Is Mitral Regurgitation & Calcification Common After Mitral Valve Repair Surgery?” asks Linda
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Junaid Khan, MD, Medical Director, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
Page Last Updated: May 6, 2021
I just received a great question from Linda about the recurrence of mitral regurgitation, a leaky heart valve, and calcification after mitral valve repair surgery. In her note to me, Linda asked, “I had mitral valve repair about 2 years ago and now I’ve developed regurgitation again. Also part of the valve is calcified. I am curious if this is common?”
After Massive Heart Attack, Mitral Regurgitation Diagnosis & MitraClip, David Dances Again!
By Adam Pick on February 6, 2020
First, he suffered a massive heart attack. Then, he was diagnosed with severe mitral regurgitation. He struggled to breathe. He was afraid.
Doctor Q&A: 6 Important Questions About Mitral Valve Surgery
By Adam Pick on December 3, 2019
My inbox is filling up with great questions about mitral valve disease and treatment. Lisa is asking about minimally invasive surgery and pain. Barbara asked me about the use of drugs to treat mitral valve disease and heart failure. And… Charles wants to know about cardiac rehab after mitral valve surgery.
MitraClip Gets New $37 Million Plant in Indiana
By Adam Pick on November 12, 2019
Wow! It appears that all of the patient and the clinical trial success of the MitraClip is having a significant impact on Abbott’s manufacturing plans for the transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) device that some patients are calling the “Miracle Clip”.
Phil Can Breathe Freely Thanks to the MitraClip!
By Adam Pick on August 1, 2019
The patient story of Phil Yalowitz is very personal for me.
Thanks to the MitraClip, Michele Will Not Need a Heart Transplant!
By Adam Pick on January 24, 2019
Michele’s life was in jeopardy due to heart failure from severe mitral regurgitation. She was so sick, her medical team was evaluating a heart transplant to save her life.
New Findings: Mitral Valve Repair Restores Normal Life Expectancy!
By Adam Pick on December 4, 2018
I don’t know about you… But, when I was told that I needed heart surgery… One of my first questions was, “Will heart surgery compromise my expected 76.4 years here on Earth?”
New MitraClip Research Is A “Game Changer” for Patients!
By Adam Pick on October 30, 2018
Applause, excitement and tears of joy filled the main arena at the 30th Annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics conference when the results of the COAPT trial were announced. This unique clinical trial showed that the MitraClip, a transcatheter mitral valve repair device, reduced risks of hospitalization and death in patients with heart failure and secondary mitral regurgitation.
Before-and-After Surgery: Tim’s Mitral Valve Reveal
By Adam Pick on May 24, 2018
Have you ever wanted to see what a mitral valve looks like before-and-after it’s repaired?
“How Can Robots Advance Heart Valve Surgery?” asks Diane
By Adam Pick on May 17, 2018
This patient community is fantastic. The questions I’ve received lately are wonderful and very detailed. I know that you, or the loved one you care for, are taking patient advocacy to a new level!
“Why Did I Want A Mitral Valve Repair?” by Janet
By Adam Pick on May 3, 2018
In our community, patient interest specific to mitral valve repair surgery continues to grow. To support that educational interest, I’ve attended workshops, traveled to conferences and published free eBooks dedicated to mitral valve reconstruction techniques.
Free Patient eBook: Advantages of Mitral Valve Repair
By Adam Pick on February 19, 2018
The response to our webinar, “Advantages of Mitral Valve Repair”, has been extraordinary. Hosted by Dr. Patrick McCarthy, Dr. James Thomas and myself, this 60-minute session connected patients from all over the world in real-time to discuss mitral valve disease and treatment options including mitral valve repair techniques.
Patient Webinar Alert: Join 250+ Patients Today!
By Adam Pick on February 11, 2018
Holy Moly! Sign-ups for our FREE upcoming webinar, “Advantages of Mitral Valve Repair”, soared past 250 patients since I announced this educational event last week!
“Is Mitral Valve Re-Repair Possible?” asks Jeanie
By Adam Pick on January 18, 2018
The possibility of heart valve “re-operations” is known within our community. As patients, we hope that only one valve procedure is needed during our lifetime. However, the reality is that patients may need one or more re-operations.
Surgeon Q&A: What Should Patients Know About Mitral Valve Repair Rings?
By Adam Pick on October 15, 2017
At the recent “Ask Me Anything” session at the Heart Valve Summit in Chicago, I received a great question from Maria about heart valve repair rings (also known as annuloplasty rings). Maria wrote to me, “Hi, Adam, two questions. Could you please ask the surgeons about annuloplasty rings, and which styles and brands have the best track record for long-term effectiveness following a mitral valve repair surgery? Thanks! Maria”
3 Patient Tips For Great Mitral Valve Surgery Results
By Adam Pick on August 10, 2017
I’m a big fan of simple and thoughtful advice for patients. So, when I learned about this new study, “Relation of Mitral Valve Surgery Volume to Repair Rate, Durability & Survival”, in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, I wanted to share it with our community.
Thanks to the MitraClip, Kato Celebrates Her 100th Birthday!
By Adam Pick on July 13, 2017
This is an amazing woman. At 92, Kato Pomer was on the brink of death due to severe mitral regurgitation. Then… Thanks to the love and tenacity of Karen, her daughter, Kato enrolled in a clinical trial for the MitraClip at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.
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April 3, 2023
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April 10, 2023
Surgeon Spotlight
Dr. Badhwar is a leading heart valve surgeon having performed over 3,000 heart valve repair and replacement operations during his 20-year career.
