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\nDr. Patrick McCarthy \u2013 Chief, Division of Cardiac Surgery
\nBluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Northwestern Memorial Hospital<\/p>\n
In 2004, one of the leading heart valve surgeons came home.<\/p>\n
In the midst of his 30-year career, which includes time at Stanford University, The Mayo Clinic and The Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Patrick M. McCarthy returned to Chicago, the city of his birth, to lead the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.<\/p>\n
Given Dr. McCarthy\u2019s clinical achievements, research, cardiac inventions, publications and patient recommendations, I was thrilled to receive an invitation to tour Northwestern prior to the Heart Valve Summit.<\/p>\n
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\nDr. Patrick McCarthy \u2013 Chief, Division of Cardiac Surgery
\nBluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Northwestern Memorial Hospital<\/p>\n
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During the tour, which included several meetings with medical and administrative teams, I quickly came to understand four\u00a0 reasons why so many patients within our community are enthusiastic about this program \u2013 which is currently ranked by US News and World Report<\/em> at:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reason #1:\u00a0 Northwestern\u2019s Cardiac Surgeons Are Heart Valve Specialists<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. McCarthy has assembled a team of dedicated cardiac surgeons with sub-specialties to treat cardiac disorders including aortic stenosis<\/a>, mitral regurgitation<\/a> and atrial fibrillation<\/a>. For example, Dr. Chris Malaisrie has an extensive, clinical interest in aortic valve disease. Dr. Richard Lee has an extensive clinical and research background specific to atrial fibrillation. Then, there is Dr. McCarthy who has performed over 10,000 cardiac procedures including more than 2,000 mitral valve surgeries.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Over the next few weeks, we will be posting several videos filmed with Dr. McCarthy’s heart valve surgeon team. So, stay tuned!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reason #2 \u2013 Northwestern Offers A Unique, Patient-Centric Approach To Cardiac Surgery<\/strong><\/p>\n Northwestern has developed a patient-centric approach to cardiac care that considers each phase of the surgical cycle.<\/p>\n Dr. Kim L. Feingold, PhD, who runs this program, recently launched SMART Heart (S<\/strong>tress M<\/strong>anagement a<\/strong>nd R<\/strong>ecreational T<\/strong>herapy). Through a host of activities like playing board games, watching comedies and listening to music, the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute uses SMART Heart as a way to help patients manage stress and reduce what can be for many a heavy emotional burden following surgery.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhen we think about heart surgery, most people think you go into the hospital, have surgery and then start to work on the physical recovery,\u201d said Feingold. \u201cFew people recognize the significant psychological burden associated with heart surgery. Two out of every five cardiac patients are clinically depressed.\u201d<\/p>\n The SMART Heart program centers\u00a0around a specially-designed room where patients and their families can spend time together, engaging in relaxing activities like watching television, reading books or simply talking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reason #3: Northwestern Achieves Superior Surgical Outcomes<\/strong><\/p>\n The result of Northwestern\u2019s approach to cardiac care has resulted in surgical outcomes<\/a> that deserve attention. As you can see in the chart below, Northwestern\u2019s cumulative, 5-year mortality rates are superior to the national average reported by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons<\/em>. It should also be highlighted that, during 2010, the clinic reported 0% in-hospital mortality for mitral valve procedures.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Specific to isolated aortic valve procedures, Northwestern\u2019s surgical outcomes continue to shine.\u00a0 In-hospital mortality for isolated aortic valve replacement, during 2010, was only 1.3% compared to the national average of 2.7%.\u00a0 To learn more, I encourage you to download “Northwestern\u2019s 2010 Surgical Outcomes Report”<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reason #4: Northwestern’s Team Is Anything But… Complacent<\/strong><\/p>\n Even with the above-referenced results, Dr. McCarthy, who is the youngest of eight children (all boys), is anything but complacent. \u201cWe feel good about our accomplishments, but there is more we can do,\u201d Dr. McCarthy shared with me. \u201cFor example, we are now launching a bicuspid aortic valve program. I believe we can improve our understanding, research and treatment of that disease.\u201d<\/p>\n Specific to bicuspid aortic valves — which led to my own aortic valve replacement surgery in 2005 — I used my time with Dr. McCarthy to learn more about the genetics of the disorder. In this video, Dr. McCarthy answered Cindy\u2019s question about the heredity of bicuspid aortic valves.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n
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\nNorthwestern\u2019s S.M.A.R.T. Heart Room<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"\/Images\/mitral-valve-outcomes-northwestern.png\")
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