Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog – Page 2
12 Surgeons Help Me Film 20 Videos at STS!
By Adam Pick on February 6, 2019
On behalf of our patient community, I want to thank the 12 surgeons who helped me film an educational video series at The Society of Thoracic Surgeons meeting in San Diego. I was really humbled that so many awesome surgeons came together to film videos about heart valve disorders, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease and aortic aneurysms.
Here’s Dr. Vinay Badhwar from WVU Heart & Vascular Institute:
Let’s Go Red for Women!
By Adam Pick on February 1, 2019
If you didn’t know, American Heart Month kicked off today. To get things going, February 1 is always National Wear Red Day in support of the “Go Red for Women” campaign. The goal of this awesome day is to raise awareness to heart disease and unite communities that are fighting for the eradication of heart disease and stroke.
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.
Then, Michele heard about the MitraClip. This is her story…
Surgeon Q&A: What Should Patients Know About Aortic Regurgitation?
By Adam Pick on January 17, 2019
Over the past several months, I’ve noticed a steady rise in the number of patients at the HeartValveSurgery.com community who are diagnosed with aortic regurgitation. That said, I wanted to create new educational resource to help patients with a leaking aortic valve.
Sara Educates & Inspires 38,443 People About Heart Valve Surgery!
By Adam Pick on January 17, 2019
I need to take a quick minute to thank Sara Colosimo for sharing her journey to a healthy heart with our community!!! If you have yet to visit Sara’s Heart Valve Journal, now is your chance.
New Study: Heart Surgery Not Linked to Memory Decline
By Adam Pick on January 17, 2019
Over the years, we’ve had several discussions about cognitive issues following heart surgery. Several patients in our community have complained of “pumphead”. Patients often describe pumphead as forgetfulness and/or memory loss that is potentially attributable to heart-lung machine use during open-heart procedures. At the same time, many patients in our community have not noticed any changes in mental capabilities following heart surgery.
Doctor Q&A: “What Criteria Do Surgeons Use to Choose a Heart Valve Replacement?” asks Peter
By Adam Pick on December 17, 2018
I just received a great question from Peter about heart valve replacement devices. Peter asked me, “Hi Adam – I have moderate-to-severe aortic stenosis and I will need surgery soon. I’m curious to know… How do surgeons select a valve replacement for me? It seems like there are so many choices our there – mechanical, tissue, sutureless valves, that new INSPIRIS valve and TAVR. What are the key criteria the docs use to choose a valve replacement. Can you please ask a surgeon for me? Thanks, Peter”
(Sources: Abbott, Cryolife, Edwards Lifesciences)
“How Do I Know When My AFib Is Gone After Heart Surgery?” asks Linda
By Adam Pick on December 4, 2018
Linda just asked me two GREAT questions about heart valve surgery and atrial fibrillation (AFib). She writes, “Hi Adam, After surgery… How do I know when my AFib is gone? Also, when do patients stop taking blood thinners after AFib is gone following surgery? Thanks! Linda”
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?”
Remembering Fran Zilko (1939 – 2018)
By Adam Pick on December 4, 2018
On behalf of our community… I am sending thoughts, prayers, condolences and love to the family and friends of Fran Zilko. I was soooo very sad to learn that Fran, who had successful aortic valve replacement surgery in 2010, passed away after a fall and issues with her kidneys, lungs and heart. Born in 1939, Fran was a nurse, a wife to Peter, a mother to Christine, Teresa and Stephen, and a grandmother to Michael, Katya and Frances.
Fran with Peter
