Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog – Page 18
Move Over Taylor Swift! David Sets New Fashion Trend!
By Adam Pick on June 20, 2019
Ya just gotta see it… To love it.
Here is David Russ modeling a new t-shirt that is setting fashion trends from Milan to Paris to Los Angeles. That’s right. After his aortic valve replacement by Dr. Kevin Accola at AdventHealth, David took to Facebook to show off a fantastic, post-op smile and an awesome t-shirt featuring a cow standing on top of a heart rhythm.
“Every Heartbeat Matters” to Impact 1.5 Million Underserved People! Go Amanda!
By Adam Pick on June 5, 2019
I love hearing about great people at responsible companies doing extraordinary things!
That said… I want…. I need… I must… Congratulate Amanda Fowler, the Executive Director of the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, for leading the Every Heartbeat Matters charitable initiative. This global campaign, which involves the education, the screening, and the treatment of heart valve disease is on track to reach 1.5 million underserved people by 2020. The original estimate was 1 million people by 2020.
Screening Patients in the Dominican Republic with Empowering Action
Reflecting on this wonderful achievement, Amanda shared, “Since the Every Heartbeat Matters initiative began five years ago, we have made substantial progress in building a global community that is addressing the burden of heart valve disease for underserved people. This year, we plan to continue growing our giving focus on Every Heartbeat Matters and deepening our partners’ impact with the engagement of our talented and dedicated employees around the world.”
Bicuspid Aortic Valve Patient Symposium Announced for June 12 in Chicago!
By Adam Pick on May 28, 2019
Mark your calendars!
I just learned there is a Bicuspid Aortic Valve Symposium for patients happening in Chicago, Illinois on Wednesday, June 12 from 6-8pm at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
During this special live event, you will learn about the latest bicuspid aortic valve research and treatment options from leading doctors and scientists including Dr. Paul Fedak, Dr. Joshua Robinson, Dr. Chris Malaisre, Dr. Jyothi Puthumana and Dr. Michael Markl.
2019 Atrial Fibrillation Patient Conference Announced!
By Adam Pick on May 28, 2019
As up to 35% of patients with heart valve disease are diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, I wanted to make sure you knew about the upcoming “Get in Rhythm! Stay in Rhythm” conference to be held in Dallas, Texas on August 9 to August 11.
This patient conference is hosted by StopAFib.org, a great patient education website managed by Melanie True Hills, an extraordinary patient advocate. During the event, you will learn the most up-to-date research and treatment approaches that may help you get rid of AFib!
Mick Jagger Dances 6 Weeks After TAVR on Instagram
By Adam Pick on May 22, 2019
Ya gotta love this…
Just 6 weeks after transcatheter aortic valve replacement surgery, Mick Jagger posts this video at Instagram. As you will see in the video, Jagger is strutting all the great dance moves he has entertained us with for the past 57 years as the lead singer of The Rolling Stones.
Congratulations to Dr. Vaughn Starnes, My Surgeon, For Becoming the 100th President of the AATS!
By Adam Pick on May 18, 2019
As one of his many patients, I am excited to announce that Dr. Vaughn Starnes just became the 100th President of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS). Doctor Starnes succeeded another celebrated surgeon here at HeartValveSurgery.com, Dr. David Adams, at the recent AATS Meeting in Toronto, Canada.
Dr. Starnes is more than a heart valve specialist… He’s a heart valve guru!
He performs complex surgery on both adults and children. Some of his former patients include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Max Page and Jimmy Kimmel’s son, Billy.
Dr. Starnes practices here in my home town of Los Angeles. At the Keck School of Medicine of USC, Dr. Starnes is the Chair of the Department of Surgery. He is also the Co-Director of the Heart Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Under his leadership, USC surgeons have conducted more than 50,000 adult and pediatric open heart surgeries to treat heart valves, perform coronary artery bypass grafts, and to repair complex adult and congenital heart defects.
Yoga Enthusiast, Jean Frank, Is Our 1st Low-Risk TAVR Patient Success Story!
By Adam Pick on May 16, 2019
With all the great results coming out about the low-risk TAVR clinical trials, I am very excited to share the patient success story of Jean Frank.
Jean, who is from Island Lake, Illinois, suffered from severe aortic stenosis symptoms including shortness of breath and fatigue. As her aortic stenosis progressed, Jean often became dizzy. Ultimately, Jean could no longer enjoy yoga because her valve had calcified. Then, Jean heard about the low-risk TAVR clinical trial conducted by Dr. Charles Davidson and Dr. Chris Malaisrie at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, a sponsor of HeartValveSurgey.com.
This is Jean’s story…
True or False: 70% of Patients Use Online Reviews to Select Heart Surgeons
By Adam Pick on May 16, 2019
Last week… In my heart valve surgery newsletter, I asked our patient community a very simple question, “Would you recommend your heart surgeon?”
If so, patients could instantly provide their reviews at our online surgeon recommendation form. Ultimately, the patient recommendations would help current and future patients find and learn about their potential heart surgeons.
I was not prepared for what happened next….
Within hours, I received 400+ surgeon recommendations from patients all over the world!!! The patient reviews are still coming in.
As I’m writing this, I just received a patient recommendation for Dr. Marc Gillinov at the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. David Adams at Mount Sinai Hospital. Next up, I’m getting ready to post this question at our Facebook page that has over 285,000 members.
If you’re curious, our top three heart surgeons to receive patient reviews are:
Yum! A Healthy Lemon & Herb Rotisserie Chicken Recipe!
By Adam Pick on May 16, 2019
I don’t know about you… But, I can’t leave Costco without getting a hot rotisserie chicken. And, it’s not just Costco. I’m into all types of rotisserie chicken from different grocery stores and ethnic restaurants. I simply love the taste and different flavors.
The other day I thought, “Hmmm… Can I make a rotisserie chicken?”
So you know, I never used a rotisserie before. But, I remembered that my barbecue came with a rotisserie kit. I headed out to the garage and found the rotisserie kit which had a little electronic crank, a spit and two forks. Next, I did what Ethan, my 10-year old son, would do. I typed, “Chicken Rotisserie Recipe” into YouTube. Yep! I instantly saw thousands of recipes. However, a video for a “Lemon & Herb Rotisserie Chicken” looked yummy.
With purpose, Robyn and I went to Ralphs, our local grocery store. We got the ingredients. We came home. Then, I went to work.
Will You Recommend Your Heart Surgeon?
By Adam Pick on May 10, 2019
It’s been 10 wonderful years since we launched the Surgeon Finder at HeartValveSurgery.com. You might remember that we launched the Surgeon Finder to quickly help patients locate and research patient-recommended surgeons. In the last three years alone, the Surgeon Finder had over 756,000 page views. Amazing!
To help future patients… My question to patients who already had surgery is, “Will you recommend your heart surgeon?” If so, this is your opportunity to celebrate him or her by posting a review. To post your review, click here!
Boston Scientific Gets FDA Approval For Lotus Edge TAVR!
By Adam Pick on May 2, 2019
The news coming out about transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) devices is non-stop.
First, we heard about the success of the low-risk TAVR clinical trials for PARTNER 3 and Evolut. Now, I just learned that the Lotus Edge Transcatheter Aortic Valve System just received a Food & Drug Administration approval following the REPRISE III research study. The Lotus is now indicated for severe aortic stenosis patients who are considered “high-risk” for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).
Surgeon Spotlight: Dr. Marc Gerdisch Receives 100 Patient Testimonials!
By Adam Pick on April 25, 2019
I am excited and honored to announce that Dr. Marc Gerdisch just received his 100th patient testimonial at HeartValveSurgery.com!
And, for good reason… Dr. Gerdisch, who is the Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Franciscan Health Heart Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, is one of the most committed and dedicated heart surgeons I know. Over the years, I have seen Dr. Gerdisch go above-and-beyond to help his patients, their families and their friends.
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.
This new post features data and analysis for the the Evolut Low Risk Trial by Medtronic.
To see the story, click here.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
Great Information About Bicuspid Aortic Valves & Aortic Aneurysms from Dr. Eric Roselli
By Adam Pick on April 13, 2019
Lately, there has been some great information posted at HeartValveSurgery.com about bicuspid aortic valves and aortic aneurysms. Whether it’s our updated bicuspid aortic valve overview, discussions about the genetics of bicuspid aortic valves, or the top 5 facts about the aorta, I’m thrilled to see this new information helping patients and their care partners.
To keep the bicuspid valve and aortic aneurysm momentum going, I just posted a new video, “Surgical Innovations: Bicuspid Aortic Valves & Aortic Aneurysms”. This educational video was filmed on-site with Dr. Eric Roselli, the Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, at the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Conference in San Diego, California on January 28.
Dr. Eric Roselli & Me Filming at STS in San Diego
Nebraska Heart Institute Launches Heart Valve Microsite!
By Adam Pick on April 10, 2019
Great news! I am very excited to announce that Nebraska Heart Institute just launched a Heart Valve Microsite at HeartValveSurgery.com!
Nebraska Heart Institute, which is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, is committed to advancing heart valve therapy. Over the years, I have been fortunate to work with Dr. James Wudel, one of their leading cardiac surgeons. Dr. Wudel has been an avid supporter of the HeartValveSurgey.com community by providing editorial contributions specific to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) which is one of Nebraska Heart Institute’s clinical specialties.
What Should Aortic Regurgitation Patients Know About The New HAART Annuloplasty Ring?
By Adam Pick on April 3, 2019
There has been A LOT of discussion lately about the success of the TAVR clinical trial for low-risk patients with aortic stenosis.
However, patients with aortic regurgitation can also get excited about the FDA clearance of the HAART Annuloplasty Device. This new device provides patients a unique treatment option that may yield a life-long fix for leaking aortic valves. Yes, a life-long fix!
To help you learn 7 important facts about this new aortic annuloplasty ring, I just posted a special article, “Breakthrough Innovation: HAART Aortic Valve Annuloplasty Ring Gets FDA Clearance”. In this post, I was fortunate to interview several leading surgeons – including Drs. Badhwar, Gerdisch, Malaisrie and Si – who are all very excited about this new approach to aortic valve repair.
To see the new post, click here.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
My Thoughts & Prayers Are With Mick Jagger!
By Adam Pick on April 1, 2019
Today, I learned that Mick Jagger, lead singer of The Rolling Stones, will undergo heart valve replacement surgery in the very near future. As a result of his condition, Jagger and The Rolling Stones have postponed their upcoming tour in the United States.
While many details specific to Mick Jagger’s heart valve diagnosis and treatment are uncertain, I have done my best to answer 5 important questions for our patient community and his fans given the information we know.
To learn more, see “Mick Jagger’s Heart Valve Surgery: What 5 Important Facts Should You Know?”
Keep on tickin’ Mick!
Adam
True or False: Dogs Reduce the Deadly Risks of Heart Disease
By Adam Pick on March 28, 2019
As a first-time puppy owner, I’m simply in love with Bodie, our 18-month old Goldendoodle. And… It’s not just me. Robyn, my wife, and Ethan, my son, are obsessed with our furry friend. Bodie has become such a fun and important part of our family.
Free Patient eBook: Advances in Mitral Valve Therapy
By Adam Pick on March 25, 2019
Great news! The patient response to our recent webinar, “Advances in Mitral Valve Therapy”, was extraordinary. Hosted by Dr. Clyde Yancy, the immediate Past-President of the American Heart Association, and Dr. Charles Davidson, the Professor of Cardiology at Northwestern Medicine, this live 60-minute session connected patients from all over the world in real-time to discuss mitral valve disease, heart failure and the newest technologies and clinical trials helping patients.
If you missed the webinar, no problem! I just posted a free 54-page eBook for immediate download. If you – or someone you love – has mitral valve disease, I encourage you, your family and your friends to read this eBook. There were so many great points raised during this webinar that patients need to know about.
To instantly download the eBook, click here.
One Thumb-Up, A Red Pillow & 9,500 Facebook Likes for John!
By Adam Pick on March 19, 2019
Unbelievable!
I’m talking about you! Yes, you! And, all wonderful patients in our community!
Your support for each other continues to inspire me beyond belief. For example… You may have seen at John’s Heart Valve Journal that he just had successful mitral, tricuspid and atrial fibrillation surgery. After being discharged, John posted this smiling photo of his early recovery at his journal.
Adam's Video Library
Learn about heart valve surgery and patient success stories at Adam’s video library.
Surgeon Spotlight
Dr. Mehta is a leading cardiac surgeon at Northwestern Medicine who specializes in heart valve surgery and aortic root reconstruction.
