Mitral Valve Repair Blog - Page 2
By Adam Pick
“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
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: 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
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: David Adams, MD
Page Last Updated: May 13, 2025
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?
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Steve Bolling, MD, University of Michigan
Published: May 14, 2025
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.
Surgeon Q&A: Top 4 Facts About Mitral Valve Chords
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Robert Saeid Farivar, MD, Chief of Cardiac Surgery, Saint Alphonsus Health
Page Last Updated: June 6, 2025
I recently received a great question from Sandy about mitral regurgitation and her mitral chords, also known as mitral chordae.
Theoretical Physicist, Boris Kayser, Travels to New York for Mitral Valve Surgery & Bagels!
By Adam Pick on January 23, 2016
[This story is brought to you by the Mitral Foundation in collaboration with HeartValveSurgery.com]
Thanks to the MitraClip, Charlotte Cummings is Walking Again!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: June 24, 2025
Charlotte Cummings, 81, could no longer walk the streets of Chicago due to shortness of breath and fatigue. She suffered from severe mitral valve regurgitation and other health concerns. Unfortunately, Charlotte was not a candidate for mitral valve surgery due to the risks associated with traditional surgical approaches.
Surgeon Q&A: “When Should The Mitral Valve Be Repaired?” asks Pamela
By Adam Pick on November 3, 2015
For our next ‘Ask Me Anything’ video from the Heart Valve Summit, we’re going to answer a great question from Pamela. In her Facebook post, Pamela asks, “When should the mitral valve be repaired?”
Surgeon Q&A: “How Durable Is A Heart Valve Repair Ring?” asks Diane
By Adam Pick on October 20, 2015
During our recent “Ask Me Anything” video series, I received a great question from Diane McKee. In her email, Diane writes, “I had a mitral valve repair 20 years ago. Is the heart valve repair ring going to last a life span?”
Yes Karen! We Just Launched A MitraClip Microsite!
By Adam Pick on September 25, 2015
I’ve shared the wonderful MitraClip success story of Kato Pomer before.
Special Video: The Final “Ask Me Anything” from the Mitral Conclave
By Adam Pick on June 30, 2015
Great news! Our ‘Ask Me Anything’ video series from the Mitral Conclave Conference has been an educational hit!
Ask Me Anything #2: “Is the MitraClip Close to Being a Standardized Procedure?” asks Dorothy
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Gorav Ailawadi, MD, Chair of Cardiac Surgery, Michigan Medicine
Page Last Updated: June 6, 2025
For our second “Ask Me Anything” video from the Mitral Conclave conference, we’re going to answer Dorothy’s question about the MitraClip, a new transcatheter mitral valve repair device (TMVR) that received FDA approval in 2013. In her post, Dorothy asked me, “Is the MitraClip getting closer to being a standardized procedure?”
Surgeon Q&A: “What About Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery?” asks Melanie
By Adam Pick on February 26, 2015
A key question for patients needing heart valve surgery is, “What type of incision will be used to access and then repair or replace my heart valve?”
Free Webinar eBook & Video: “Advances in Mitral Valve Surgery and Valve Management Guidelines” with Dr. Adams, Dr. Nishimura & Me
By Adam Pick on February 18, 2015
Great news. If you missed our recent webinar, “Advances in Mitral Valve Surgery; Plus, Valve Management Guidelines” with Dr. David Adams, Dr. Rick Nishimura and myself, you can now download the free 40-page eBook by clicking here.
Webinar Announced: “Advances in Mitral Valve Surgery & Valve Management Guidelines” with Dr. Adams, Dr. Nishimura & Me on December 19
By Adam Pick on December 11, 2014
I am very excited to announce that Dr. David Adams, the Program Director of The Mount Sinai Hospital’s Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center, and Dr. Rick Nishimura, Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, will be hosting a special one-hour webinar on Friday, December 19, at 12:0pm EST.
Surgeon Q&A: Advancing Mitral Valve Repair Using 25 Years of Experience & Robots!
By Adam Pick on April 8, 2014
I was very fortunate to recently connect with Dr. Alfredo Trento, the Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. As you may know, Dr. Trento has successfully treated many patients from our community including Jerry Andis, Terry Beaschler and Patricia Shabel.
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