Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog – Page 2
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. Vaughn Starnes & Me
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.
Yes, I actually made this!
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.
