Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog – Page 55

I just received a very interesting question from Nina about robotic heart valve repair and the heart-lung machine (also known as the “pump”).

Heart-Lung Machine Diagram

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In case you missed the Monday edition of “The View”, it was announced that Barbara Walters will be having heart valve replacement surgery sometime this week.

Although Walters knew of her upcoming heart valve surgery for sometime, her co-hosts on The View (Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Joy Behar and Sherri Shephard) received the news Monday morning — shortly before viewers did.

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Ted just sent me a very appropriate question about mitral valve stenosis.

He writes, “Adam – I’ll be going in for mitral valve surgery due to stenosis next month. I’m doing my best to cope with the reality of open heart surgery. Quick question… Do you know what mitral valve stenosis looks like? Thanks for everything, Ted”

Mitral Valve Stenosis – Calcified Leaflets

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Ethan, my one-year old son, wants to say “Happy Mother’s Day!” to all the moms and grandmas!!!

Robyn, my wife, and I also want to wish the moms a very special day. 🙂

Happy Mother’s Day!

Ethan, Robyn and Adam

Sam Swerdlow, a recent aortic valve replacement patient from Oregon, just sent me this incredibly innovative and thoughtful video. I hope you enjoy it and remember to… embrace life.

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Have a great weekend!

Keep on tickin!
Adam

I was just surfing the Internet when I came across a furry teddy bear designed for… Yes, you guessed it…. Recovering open heart surgery patients.

After rubbing my eyes (and shaking my head a bit), I then noticed the teddy bear had a little zipper on his chest that opened to reveal a stitched heart.

On one hand, I thought, “Really? That can’t be real.” Then, when I saw there was an opportunity to purchase the bear, I realized the bear was definitely real. It turns out that the Mended Heart Bear (shown above) is part of a stuffed animal line of get-well bears from Bummer Bears. The price for the Mended Heart Bear is $54.

Bummer Bears makes teddy bears for patients recovering from autism, infections, cancer and heart surgery.  The company is owned and operated by Katie Espinoza, the mother of a congenital heart disease patient who was diagnosed in utero at a 20-week ultrasound appointment.  Click here to learn more. 

Related Links:

• Bummer Bears Website
• Big Red Pillows After Heart Surgery: What Should Patients Know?

Keep on tickin!
Adam

I just received a great question from Mark that relates to cardiac depression after heart valve surgery.

Mark writes, “Adam – Thanks for your book and website. It’s pretty amazing what you have done for so many patients who need heart valve surgery. As for my question, I am nine weeks post-surgery. I feel like my mental health is declining due to the operation (and other family issues). I’m having more bad days than good days. I’m curious… How long were you in cardiac depression? Thanks, Mark”

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In response to our recent discussions about the progression of heart valve stenosis and rheumatic heart valve disease, I have received several emails about the anatomy of the heart and the anatomy of our heart valves. Most of these inquiries have come from patients recently diagnosed with some form of severe valvular disorder.

Interactive Heart Anatomy Tool

To help those patients (and perhaps you) learn more about human heart anatomy, you may want to visit www.MyHeartValveChoice.com. This website, which officially launched last week, contains an interactive section that describes heart anatomy and helps answer three key questions for patients and caregivers:

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In 2009, the global news wires were filled with stories about public figures undergoing heart valve surgery. As you might recall, Robin Williams, Barbara Bush, Ed Koch, Elizabeth Taylor and many other well-known people had heart valve repair or heart valve replacement surgery last year.

Bob Uecker – Heart Valve Surgery Patient

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I just received an interesting question from Frank about rheumatic heart disease and heart valve surgery.

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Hi everybody!

I wanted you to know that our Heart Valve Surgeon Database is continuing to grow and grow and grow. The directory now has over 500 surgeon profiles from 25 different countries. Not only is the database expanding, but it is really helping patients search for, learn about and contact trusted heart valve surgeons around the world.

Also, I just added a new search feature for patients. Several patients require bloodless surgery for personal and/or religious reasons. That said, I created a bloodless criteria on the main search page.

HOWEVER, PLEASE NOTE… We still need your help with this database!!! If you have had heart valve surgery, please consider contributing a surgeon profile to the directory. It only takes 5 minutes to complete the online form. Can you help?

To add your surgeon profile, please click here.

In advance, thanks for taking the time to help future patients and caregivers!

Keep on tickin!
Adam

I just came across a fantastic email from Dr. Richard Schmidt which touches on the unique, patient process of healing. As you can read below, Dr. Schmidt recently had double heart valve repair and is anxiously awaiting a fully healed sternum to resume his life passions. Here is what Richard wrote to me:

Dr. Richard Schmidt, 66, Recently Had Aortic & Mitral Valve Repair

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The consolidation trend within the heart valve industry continued yesterday as ATS Medical was purchased by Medtronic in a cash deal valued at $350 million. So you know, that is a 54% premium to ATS’ market capitalization on Wednesday. As a result, ATS’s stock soared $2.59 to $4.00.

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Emma just emailed me an interesting question about aortic valve stenosis and the rate at which this form of heart valve disease progresses.

Aortic Valve Stenosis – Narrow Heart Valve

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Earlier this week, I spoke with Dr. Giovanni Ciuffo, a minimally invasive and bloodless heart surgery specialist. (As you may remember, Dr. Ciuffo wrote “Aortic Stenosis… The Neglected Child”.)

During our discussion, Dr. Ciuffo shared several clinical insights about traditional, median sternotomy approaches, as well as, minimally invasive procedures (e.g. mini-thoracotomy). After our discussion, Dr. Ciuffo forwarded me an article he recently published titled, “Scarless Heart Valve Surgery For Women”.

Heart Surgery Scar From Traditional Median Sternotomy

As I reviewed Dr. Giuffo’s article, I found the article to be full of interesting and educational information — especially for woman. That said, here are the highlights from this article:

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I just received a very memorable letter from Kenneth Fogel, Chair of Gift of Life. First, Ken’s letter thanked us for our recent $5,000 donation to Gift of Life. If you didn’t know, Gift of Life is a special, charitable organization that addresses the medical needs of children who suffer from congenital heart defects.

More importantly…

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Joseph Minnucci has really taken advantage of our new Heart Valve Journals tool to communicate with his support group and fellow patients. That said, you may already be aware that Joe had heart valve replacement surgery on February 8, 2010.

Joseph Minnucci (Heart ValvePatient)

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Waking up to a fresh cup of coffee and a patient success story is a wonderful way to start the day. That said, I just received this great story about Danielle Curcio and her father, Bill Mordarski.

Danielle Curcio (Daughter) and Bill Mordarski (Father, Patient)

I first spoke with Danielle one month ago as her father was preparing for heart valve replacement surgery. Like many caregivers, Danielle was full of good questions, some anxiety and a hopeful attitude. Most of all, I remember Danielle’s love for her father radiating through the phone.

Here is what Danielle wrote to me:

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I just received an interesting question from Greg about the Ross Procedure option for aortic valve replacement.

Greg writes, “Adam – I’ve been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis. According to my cardiologist, I’ll be needing surgery in the next few months. Thanks to you, I now know about the Ross Procedure. It seems like it could be a good option for me as I’m active and do not want to be on Coumadin for the rest of my life. However, unlike you, I’m a bit older at 57 years of age. I’m wondering if I’m too old for the Ross Procedure? Do you have any thoughts? Thanks for all you do! Greg”

The Ross Procedure

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Several months after my surgery, I started gardening. While I continue to lack a knowledgeable green thumb, I really enjoy the process of working alongside Mother Nature. Even with all my gardening mishaps, I am super lucky to have a springtime rose bloom going on right now.

So, if you are interested in participating in the age-old cliche, I encourage you to… Stop and smell the roses. (Well, maybe not smell… But, I think you know what I mean.)

This yellow rose could be my favorite of the bunch.

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