Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog – Page 2
Get Your Questions Answered on Facebook LIVE at the Heart Valve Society Conference!!!
By Adam Pick on February 13, 2020
You’ve got questions! Let me get the answers!
That’s right. Simply email me your questions about heart valve disease and/or treatment. I’ll get them answered by expert surgeons and cardiologists at the Heart Valve Society Conference during our Facebook LIVE sessions this Saturday. You can email your questions to adam@heartvalvesurgery.com or post your questions below.
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.
Then… David Lugo, a father and mechanic from Chicago, heard about the COAPT clinical trial offered at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. This unique research study investigated how the MitraClip could help patients like David. This is his story.
“Can Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer Hurt My New Heart Valve Replacement?” asks Toni
By Adam Pick on February 6, 2020
Toni just sent me a very important question about breast cancer, radiation therapy and heart valve replacements. Toni asked me, “Hi Adam – I have an artificial mitral valve. I just found out that I have breast cancer. Will radiation hurt my new valve replacement? Thanks, Toni”
Website Update: Community Notification System Upgraded!
By Adam Pick on February 6, 2020
Many thanks to Phyllis and Catie for letting me know about the notification issue they recently experienced when using our Community!
Technology Update: Can a “Leadless” Pacemaker Fix a Leaking Heart Valve?
By Adam Pick on January 27, 2020
I just received a fascinating question from Shae about leadless pacemakers and leaking heart valves.
Shae asked me, “Hi Adam – I previously had a mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve repair. I currently have a 7-year old pacemaker that is causing my tricuspid valve to leak. My electrophysiologist doctor has been talking to me about “leadless” pacemakers. I don’t know much about leadless pacers. The doctor says there is a 50/50 chance that a leadless pacemaker will correct my leaking valve. Is that correct? I don’t want to go through another valve replacement surgery as I am only 43 years old. Thanks, Shae”
Leadless Pacemaker (Medtronic)
After Heart Surgery… John, His Robe & His Yellow Socks Inspire 4,700 Facebook Likes!
By Adam Pick on January 14, 2020
Thanks to John O’Neill, the new year could not have started any better for our community.
That’s right! John, who was diagnosed with severe aortic regurgitation, had successful aortic valve replacement last week. It’s interesting to note that John had a bicuspid aortic valve and was completely asymptomatic. It was also great to hear that John caught the disease as his left ventricle had already started to enlarge. Yikes!
Top 15 Heart Valve Posts of 2019
By Adam Pick on December 30, 2019
Woo-Whoo! 2019 was another AMAZING year for our community!
The past 12 months was full of patient education, patient inspiration, patient empowerment and patient advocacy. Thanks to your wonderful support, the stories posted here were shared over 100,000 times across social media. That means you helped raise awareness to millions of people about heart valve disease, a fatal disorder that is under-diagnosed and under-treated. Thank you!!!
TAVR or SAVR: Which Operation Did Jim Get For Aortic Stenosis?
By Adam Pick on December 16, 2019
With the FDA approval of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for low-risk patients, people everywhere are wondering whether-or-not TAVR is right for them.
Jim Whitney, from Chicago, Illinois, is a perfect example. Diagnosed with aortic stenosis, Jim had been in “watchful waiting” for five years. Recently, Jim found himself completely out-of-breath as he ran to catch a train. He knew it was time for surgery. Jim pressed his surgeon, Dr. Chris Malaisrie, an aortic valve specialist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, for a non-invasive TAVR.
Did Jim get a TAVR? Or, did Jim get a surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR)? What should you know about TAVR and SAVR? Watch this video to learn more.
My Lucky 14th Heart Valve Surgery Anniversary!
By Adam Pick on December 16, 2019
It is hard to believe that 14 years ago this Saturday, December 21, 2005, I was being rolled into an operating room for my heart valve surgery at USC Medical Center in Los Angeles.
As I sit and reflect on the past 14 years, I take a deep breath. I take another deep breath. I then stare at my monitor, hands on keyboard and wait for my fingertips to start tip-tip-tapping away.
Peloton Instructor, Robin Arzon, Sends Empowering Message to Heart Valve Patients!
By Adam Pick on December 12, 2019
I guess you could say that I’m somewhat addicted to our Peloton bike.
In this community… I’m not alone. After sharing this post, I heard from many of you about our mutual love for this fitness craze.
Heart Hospital Map
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