Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog – Page 5
A Hearty Tomato Harvest?
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: August 10, 2023
If there is one thing that heart surgery has taught me… It is to “stop and smell the roses”.
I know that may sound cliche but it is 100% accurate. Prior to surgery, I struggled being present to all the wonderful things that life has to offer. So, in this second chance at life, I am committed to slowing down, being more available to those around me, and having fun with new hobbies. One of those hobbies is gardening. I started with roses. Now, I’m into vegetables.
Michele Returns to Pickle Ball After Heart Valve Surgery!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: August 3, 2023
It’s my favorite part of running this website… Hearing from all the wonderful patients in our community! For example, I just received a fantastic email from Michele Marcus after our recent webinar.
Michele Marcus (Heart Valve Patient)
46 Patient Questions Answered by Dr. Doug Johnston!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Doug Johnston, MD, Chief of Cardiac Surgery, Northwestern Medicine
Published: July 31, 2023
Amazing!
During our recent webinar, “The Lifetime Management of Heart Valve Disease”, I received 46 patient questions that we did not have time to answer during the live event. Imagine my surprise when Dr. Doug Johnston, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Northwestern Medicine and the featured speaker of the webinar, typed up answers to each patient question and asked me to post them to help educate our patient community. Downright wonderful!
Question 1: Lisa asks, “My son has congenital aortic valve stenosis and had a bovine replacement 5 years ago at 28 years old. Will he be able to have valve in valve or easier surgery?”
In cases like this, we would usually look at the echocardiogram, CT, and the operative report to determine. 1 What size and type of valve is in place, and 2. what the size and shape of the root is. In many cases valve in valve will be an option. Redo surgery sometimes is a better option in younger patients depending on whether we are able to implant a bigger or newer generation valve. — Dr. Doug Johnston
Join 700 Patients on the “Lifetime Management of Heart Valve Disease” Webinar Today!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: July 28, 2023
[Saturday, July 29, 2023 Update: Our webinar, “The Lifetime Management of Heart Valve Disease”, was amazing!!! You can now watch a video playback or download a FREE eBook from this special event with Dr. Johnston and Dr. Logan at this link.]
Wow! The patient response to our webinar, “The Lifetime Management of Heart Valve Disease”, has been amazing! We now have over 700 patients registered for today’s special webinar at 6pm EST.
Here’s more good news… You have a few more hours to sign-up!
“Can Leaky Pulmonary Valves Work for the Ross Procedure?” asks Tim
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Christopher Burke, MD, Cardiac Surgeon, UW Medicine Heart Institute
Published: July 20, 2023
I’m receiving lots of excellent patient questions about the Ross Procedure.
For example… Tim, a patient from the United Kingdom, just asked me, “Hi Adam – Congrats on a great website! I have a question about the Ross Procedure. Do you know if it is possible to do the Ross Procedure if there is mild leaking of the pulmonary valve? I know mild leaking of the pulmonary valve is very common. Thanks!”
Heart Health Awareness: Coronary Artery Disease & Heart Valve Disorders
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: July 18, 2023
Is it true that coronary artery disease impacts up to 27% of heart valve patients? Can coronary artery disease cause life-threatening conditions including heart attacks? Is it possible for surgeons to use minimally-invasive techniques to treat both coronary artery disease and heart valve defects in one operation?
To answer these important questions, I just interviewed Dr. Husam Balkhy, the Director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Cardiac Surgery at University of Chicago Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Watch my interview with Dr. Balkhy to learn critical information about coronary artery disease and heart valve disorders at this link.
Many thanks to Dr. Husam Balkhy for taking the time to share his clinical experiences with our community!
Keep on tickin!
Adam
Andy Posts First “5-Star Video Review” for Dr. Neelan Doolabh!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: July 15, 2023
Since launching the Surgeon Finder at HeartValveSurgery.com, I have moderated thousands of patient reviews for heart surgeons. I downright love seeing patients celebrate their surgeons.
Andy Teel (Aortic Valve Replacement Patient)
Interestingly… Andy Teel, a minimally-invasive aortic valve replacement patient of Dr. Neelan Doolabh, just did something extraordinary. As you can watch below, Andy sent me our first-ever “5-Star Video Review” about his experience with Dr. Doolabh and the entire UT Southwestern team.
Clinical Trial Alert: New CardiaMend Patch to Stop Post-Op Atrial Fibrillation
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: July 12, 2023
Post-operative AFib is a BIG PROBLEM that impacts up to 30% of heart surgery patients. For that reason, I was very interested to learn about an innovative, new clinical trial evaluating the CardiaMend patch for the prevention of post-op AFib. To get the details about the CardiaMend clinical trial, click here to see my new interview with Dr. Robert Saeid Farivar.
Many thanks to Dr. Farivar, Saint Alphonsus Health and Helios Cardio for their work on this clinical trial!
Keep on tickin!
Adam
Top 3 Facts to Overcome Patient Anxiety & Fear Before Heart Surgery
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: July 11, 2023
If you have just been told that you need heart surgery, it is VERY COMMON to experience the emotions of anxiety and fear.
To help you, I just met with Dr. Marc Gillinov, Chairman of Cardiac Surgery at Cleveland Clinic, to learn what three facts he shares with patients BEFORE heart surgery to help them manage their fear and anxiety. Click here to see Dr. Gillinov dispel patient anxiety and fear before heart surgery.
Many thanks to Dr. Marc Gillinov for sharing his clinical experiences and research with our patient community!
Keep on tickin,
Adam
“What About Medications for Bicuspid Aortic Valves?” asks Tina
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: July 6, 2023
After being diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve disease, patients often wonder if there are medications or drugs that can treat this common congenital form of heart disease that impacts up to 2% of the population. For example, Tina just asked me, “Hi Adam – Is there any medicine for the treatment of a leaking bicuspid aortic valve?”
To answer Tina’s questions and educate you about the use of medications for bicuspid aortic valves, I connected with Dr. Luis Castro. As you may know, Dr. Castro is a leading heart valve surgeon who has successfully treated over 200 patients in the HeartValveSurgery.com community. To see my interview with Dr. Castro about bicuspid aortic valves, drugs and medications, click here.
Many thanks to Tina for her question and Dr. Castro for taking the time to share his clinical expertise and research with our community!!!
Keep on tickin!
Adam
Clinical Trial Update: New TriClip Study Data Released
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 28, 2023
As more-and-more patients are asking me questions about tricuspid valve disease, I want to relay encouraging news that recently came out of Euro PCR about the non-invasive TriClip device. The TriClip, which is being evaluated for safety and effectiveness in the bRIGHT Clinical Trial, is the first percutaneous device designed specifically for tricuspid heart valve failure.
Baptist Health Paducah Joins Our Community!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 26, 2023
I am very excited to announce that Baptist Health Paducah just became the newest sponsor of HeartValveSurgery.com.
Rapid Recovery Protocol 2.0 for Heart Surgery Patients
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 26, 2023
New medical advances are transforming the patient recovery from heart surgery. As a result, patients are experiencing less-to-no pain, staying in the hospital shorter, and getting back to normal activity faster.
To learn about the latest innovations in patient recovery, we interviewed Dr. Marc Gerdisch, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Gerdisch has performed over 6,000 cardiac procedures and successfully treated over 100 patients from our community. Click here to see my interview with Dr. Gerdisch about the Rapid Recovery Protocol 2.0.
Chemical Engineer, Ray, Gets Ozaki Procedure for Valvular Flow Dynamics
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 21, 2023
As a follow-up to our post, “Ozaki Procedure: New Research for Aortic Valve Patients”, I wanted to share the wonderful patient story of Ray Poole from New York. Ray is an aortic valve patient and chemical engineer who recently underwent the Ozaki Procedure.
Ray Poole (12 Weeks After Ozaki Procedure) with Wife
Peloton Instructors Support Heart Valve Disease Patients!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 19, 2023
While Peloton instructors are known for giving fun and empowering “shout-outs” during their fitness classes… I’m happy to flip-that-script and offer a shout-out to Ally Love, Emma Lovewell, Matt Wilpers, Robin Arzon, and the entire Peloton team for their support of our community!
Research Alert: The Ozaki Procedure for Aortic Valve Patients
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 18, 2023
I just received a great question from Paige about the Ozaki Procedure. Paige asked me, “Hi, Adam. I’m 29-years-old and I have a bicuspid aortic valve. I also have an aneurysm. I’m thinking about starting a family in the next few years. After meeting with three different cardiac surgeons, I was offered a newer technique as an alternative to a tissue or mechanical valve. That technique is the Ozaki Procedure. What is the latest update about this procedure?”
To learn more, I just interviewed Dr. Douglas Johnston, the Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, who has performed over 3,000 heart valve repair and replacement operations. Click here to see my interview with Dr. Johnston about the Ozaki Procedure.
Operating Room Insights: The Different “Faces” of Mitral Valve Disease
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 10, 2023
Are you ready to go inside the operating room of Dr. Marc Gerdisch, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Franciscan Health, to learn about the different “faces” of mitral valve disease?
Medical Advances: The Y-Incision Annular Enlargement Procedure
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 7, 2023
Patients needing an aortic valve replacement due to stenosis, regurgitation and/or a bicuspid aortic valve might be shocked to learn new research that heart valve replacement devices may not be properly sizes when implanted during surgery. As a result, the patient may not get the full benefit of a properly sized heart valve and the patient may need an accelerated reoperation due to device failure.
For these important reasons, Dr. Bo Yang, a leading cardiac surgeon at Michigan Medicine, developed the Y-Incision Annular Enlargement Procedure. I was very fortunate to interview Dr. Yang about his new, novel approach to helping patients. Click here to see my interview with Dr. Yang about the Y-Incision Annular Enlargement Procedure.
Many thanks to Dr. Yang for developing and educating our patient community about the Y-Incision Annular Enlargement Procedure!
Keep on tickin!
Adam
Surgeon Spotlight: Dr. Marc Gillinov Receives 100 Patient Testimonials!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 5, 2023
I am excited and honored to announce that Dr. Marc Gillinov just received his 100th patient testimonial from patients in the HeartValveSurgery.com community!
Dr. Gillinov is the Chairman of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. He is one of the most committed, dedicated and patient-centric heart surgeons I know. So you know, Dr. Gillinov was one of the first surgeons to support and encourage the educational initiatives of HeartValveSurgery.com. I’ll never forget our first meeting when Dr. Gillinov said to me, “Adam, I really appreciate how you are helping patients. Education is critical for patients with heart valve disease.”
URGENT: Will You Please Help Heart Valve & AFib Patients?
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 1, 2023
Help! Please! It’s Urgent!
If you didn’t know, patients with heart valve disease are up to 35% more likely to experience atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can increase their stroke risk by 5 times, according to the American Heart Association. Unfortunately, AFib is not treated in up to 70% of heart valve procedures. Yikes!!!