Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog – Page 52

Video: Mini-Thoracotomy For Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair?

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: May 9, 2025

As I remember… Once diagnosed with severe heart valve disease, many patients begin researching surgical options immediately.

During that process, we quickly realize that different approaches for open heart surgery exist. One approach, the mini-thoracotomy, deploys a surgical technique unlike a median sternotomy, robotic surgery or transcatheter procedure.

In the past, we have discussed mini-thoracotomy for aortic valve replacement. To learn more about minimally-invasive techniques for mitral valve repair, please watch this video with Dr. Marc Gerdisch, a leading mitral valve repair surgeon who has successfully treated over 100 patients in our community.

 

 

To learn more about mini-thoracotomy (also referred to as port access), you might want to consider the following:

I hope the video and information provided above helps us all learn more about mini-thoracotomy for heart valve surgery.

Keep on tickin!
Adam

Blog Milestone: We’re Over 1,000 Posts!

By Adam Pick on September 13, 2010

Hi everybody,

I just realized that this website reached a fun milestone in its ongoing development. Earlier today, I posted the 1,000th blog about heart valve surgery.

Thanks to you – the patients, the caregivers, the cardiologists and the surgeons – for your ongoing contributions (questions, answers, guest blogs, comments, etc.) to this online resource.

 

 

Great job everybody!
Adam

Patient Recovery Update: Kerrigan Stops Beta Blockers, Gains Energy and Improves Blood Pressure

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: June 10, 2025

Kerrigan just sent me a very interesting update about his heart valve surgery recovery. As his email touched on many patient issues — fatigue, blood pressure, beta blockers and patient advocacy — I thought you might enjoy his perspective and positive results.

 

Kerrigan - Aortic Valve Replacement PatientKerrigan Gray – Heart Valve Replacement Patient

 

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“How Will My Heart Valve Replacement Be Measured?” Asks Kate

By Adam Pick on September 11, 2010

I just received a great question from Kate about heart valve replacement surgery.

Kate writes, “Hi Adam, I’m going in for surgery next week and I have a quick, follow-up question about the size of a heart valve replacement. It might sound silly, but… During the operation, how will the surgeon measure my valve? Do they have some kind of sterile tape measure? Thanks, Kate”

While we might think that a “surgical tape measure” would determine the diameter of the mechanical or bioprosthetic replacement valve, the reality is a bit different.

 

 

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“CoreValve Treatment For Aortic Regurgitation? Bicuspid Aortic Valves?” Asks Jim and Mark

By Adam Pick on September 11, 2010

Within minutes of posting “CoreValve Technology Get E.U. Approval”, I received two excellent questions from Jim and Mark. Their questions were, “Can the CoreValve system treat aortic regurgitation?” and “Can the CoreValve technology replace my bicuspid aortic valve?”

 

CoreValve Aortic Valve Replacement For Severe Aortic Stenosis

 

To provide Jim, Mark and everybody else a thoughtful response, I contacted Dr. Eric Roselli, MD, a heart surgeon from The Cleveland Clinic, and Dr. Allan Stewart, a heart surgeon from Miami. Here are their responses:

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My Heart Remembers Scotty

By Adam Pick on September 11, 2010

As difficult as the memories of today can be, I always end up smiling in Scotty’s memory – his bubbly laugh, constant high fives and ability to see the good in everything around him.

 

 

There will be a tomorrow that exists without me. And I know that. When that day arrives, I want this world to have seen greater beauty because I existed. I want my life to have meant something. I want this world to be brighter. I want this world to be happier. I want people to have smiled more and to have laughed more because I’ve spent time here. I want others to have seen and felt the uniqueness of my spirit. And if I accomplish that, when my soul does move on and my gift stays here and makes just one ripple, I will look down and I will smile. I will smile wide.

 

To learn more about my friend, please visit the Scott Weingard memorial.

Thinking of you Scottie!
Adam

CoreValve Technology Gets European Approval

By Adam Pick on September 9, 2010

As technology for heart valve treatment rapidly advances, we continue to learn more about the roll-out of percutaneous devices for both heart valve repair and heart valve replacement. On Tuesday, Medtronic announced that regulators in the European Union have approved the latest version of its CoreValve heart system.

 

 

The CoreValve delivery system is designed to help surgeons replace a diseased aortic valve without removing the original valve and without open heart surgery. Instead, they put a new valve into a catheter and guide the catheter to the heart from an artery in the leg.

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“Will Situs Inversus Impact My Heart Valve Replacement Surgery?” Asks Dave

By Adam Pick on September 9, 2010

I just received a unique question from Dave about situs inversus and heart valve replacement.

Dave writes, “Hi Adam, I was recently diagnosed with severe aortic regurgitation and a dilated aorta. It’s now time for a valve replacement. I was born with situs inversus with dextrocardia – a rare condition in which my abdominal organs are reversed so my heart is located in the right side of my chest. I’m wondering if any of your readers have situs inversus? I would like to hear their experiences with valve replacement surgery. Thanks for your book! Dave”

 

 

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Video: After Valve Replacement, Barbara Walters Returns To The View!

By Adam Pick on September 8, 2010

Great news! We have another patient success story!

After aortic valve replacement surgery due to aortic stenosis last May, Barbara Walters returned to The View yesterday. In case you missed it, the show opened with a fun parody about Barbara’s recovery and a meaningful discussion about heart disease.
 

 

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“Can I Stay Overnight In The ICU With My Wife?” Asks Ted

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: June 8, 2025

I just received an interesting question about overnight stays in the intensive care unit (ICU) for the friends and family members of heart valve surgery patients. In his email, Ted asks, “Adam – My wife is going in for aortic valve replacement operation next week. I want to support her morning, noon and night. Do you know if I will be able to stay in the ICU overnight with her? Thanks, Ted”

 

Patent, Caregiver & Nurse In Intensive Care Unit

 

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“What Does Heart Valve Regurgitation Sound Like?” Asks Dawn

By Adam Pick on September 5, 2010

I just received a question from Dawn about her recent diagnosis of mitral regurgitation.

Dawn writes, “Adam – Two days ago, I was diagnosed with “moderate to severe” mitral regurgitation. My cardiologist told me that surgery is likely in the next 24 months. Needless to say, I’m confused by all of this and looking to learn more. I never even knew I had a prolapsed valve. I’m curious to know what mitral regurgitation sounds like but I don’t own a stethoscope. By chance, do you have any MP3s you can send me? Thanks, Dawn.”

 

 

While I don’t have any audio files to send Dawn, the video above contains the actual sounds of a heart beating with mitral regurgitation. Do you hear the muffled sound of the heart beat? For comparison, I included the sound of a normal heart beat below.

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After Double Heart Valve Repair, Cindy Hikes The Grand Tetons!

By Adam Pick on September 3, 2010

Cindy just sent me this great email. Given her unique story, I thought you might really enjoy it.

Hi Adam,

I have written you before about the recovery from heart valve surgery. We exchanged emails about when you really felt healed. Last year, I had mitral and tricuspid valve repair by Dr. David Adams in New York — even though I live in California.

We just returned from our summer vacation in Jackson, Wyoming. While I’ve been there many times, this experience was SO different!!!

 


Cindy & Rich Tarver

 

I was able to hike and SEE lakes that I never could see before! Prior to surgery, the altitude was too much for my severely damaged valve.  (So you know, I’ve had problems with mitral valve prolapse since childhood, gradually getting to the point of 100% mitral regurgitation with calcified leaflets.)

This year, I was hiking at 7,000 feet with NO shortness of breath!

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“How Big Is A Mechanical Heart Valve Replacement?” Asks Jenny

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Eric Roselli, MD, Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery, Cleveland Clinic
Page Last Updated: June 6, 2025

I just received an interesting question from Jenny about the size of a mechanical heart valve replacement.

Jenny writes to me, “Adam – Like many patients on your blog, I’m preparing for aortic valve replacement. I’m young, 29, with a bicuspid aortic valve that has severe stenosis. I’m thinking a mechanical valve is the best option for me. However, I can’t stop thinking about the little device clicking away in my heart. Quick question… Do you know the size of a mechanical heart valve? Thanks, Jenny”

There are a few ways to answer Jenny’s question. On one hand, I could assemble a table which contains the different sizes of mechanical valves — by diameter and by surface area. However, I often think the cliche, “A picture is worth a thousand words”, is more appropriate. That said, a mechanical valve is about this big…

 

 

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Friday Fun: Blue Jean Diapers… Really?

By Adam Pick on September 3, 2010

Every once in a while I see a product that makes me think, “Huh?”, “What?”, “No way!”, “Can’t be!” and “Really?” The last time I had that thought was when the marketeers at Chia America released… Chia Obama.

 

 

Today, I find myself thinking, “Huh?”, “What?”, “No way!”, “Can’t be!” and “Really?!” once again.

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“Can The Mitral Valve Repair Ring Be Too Tight?” Asks Bruce

By Adam Pick on September 1, 2010

Here’s a great question from Bruce about mitral valve repairs, tight annuloplasty ring and post-operative complications.

Bruce writes, “Hi Adam, I read your book about a year ago, before my surgery, and have faithfully read your newsletter. What have you ever heard about patients who had mitral valve repairs via open heart surgery and afterwards find the repair annuloplasty ring was a bit tight resulting in irregularities showing up in treadmill stress echocardiograms and shortness of breath? Thanks, Bruce”

 

Mitral Valve Repair Annuloplasty Ring Sutured In The Heart

 

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“How Often Should I Get An Echocardiogram After Heart Surgery?” Asks Jim

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: May 12, 2025

Jim just sent me this question about an echocardiogram after heart surgery. He writes, “Adam – How often should an echocardiogram be performed after surgery. I had my aortic valve replaced. Thanks, Jim”

 

 

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After Mitral Valve Replacement, Don Flies Hooch To Safety

By Adam Pick on August 29, 2010

Some really interesting patient stories continue to fill up my inbox. Here’s a great one from Don about his new mission saving dogs after mitral valve replacement.

 

Don Hull, Heart Valve
Replacement Patient, With Hooch

 

Hey Adam,

I recently regained my Special Issuance Class III FAA medical certificate which allows me to fly my airplane as a private pilot again.  I had an Edwards Bovine tissue mitral valve placed in April 2009 and had to wait at least six months before beginning the rigorous physical testing to regain my FAA medical certificate.

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“Will Carcinoid Cancer Treatment Impact My Bovine Heart Valve Replacement?” Asks Barb

By Adam Pick on August 29, 2010

I just received a very unique question from Barb about carcinoid tumor injections and bovine heart valve replacements. Barb writes to me:

 


Bovine Aortic Valve Replacement

 

Hi Adam,

First, I’d like to express my appreciation to you for your very informative book and emails.  I am a 54-year-old woman who was aware of aortic valve stenosis since the age of 16, and finally had an aortic bovine valve replacement in January 2009.  I also had an aortic root aneurysm repair.  I’ve done very well in my recovery, and found your book extremely helpful.

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Before & After Heart Valve Surgery With… Chaz

By Adam Pick on August 27, 2010

I always enjoy reading patient success stories. However, this update really made me think, “Fannnnn-tasssss-tic!”. Specifically, I like the way Chaz utilizes a “Before and After” approach to describe his heart valve replacement experience:

 

 

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“How Big Can A Dilated Heart Get From Stenosis?” Asks Julie

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Kevin Accola, MD, AdventHealth, Orlando, Florida
Page Last Updated: June 7, 2025

Here’s an interesting question from Julie about heart valve stenosis and enlarged hearts.

Julie writes to me, “Adam – Like you, I was diagnosed with heart valve stenosis and an enlarged heart. I’m just curious. How big can a dilated heart get before failure? 20% bigger? 50% bigger? Any thoughts? Thanks, Julie”

I wanted an expert opinion for Julie’s question, so I contacted Kevin Accola, M.D., one of the leading heart valve surgeons from AdventHealth Cardiovascular Institute (formerly Florida Hospital). (As you might recall, Dr. Accola has operated on several patients, like Scott Nieman, that regularly visit this blog.)

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