For patients, the diagnosis of aortic valve disease can be dislocating, confusing and isolating.\u00a0 However, if patients are diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm – in addition to a valve disorder – anxiety levels can skyrocket.<\/p>\n
As we have learned in our community<\/a>, patients often consider an aortic aneurysm a “ticking time bomb” as a bursting of the aorta, which is the largest artery in the human body, can lead to a sudden, life-threatening situation.\u00a0 Unfortunately, it was an aortic aneurysm that took the life of John Ritter<\/a>, the wonderful comedian best known for his starring role in Three’s Company<\/em>.<\/p>\n To help patients better understand the realities of diagnosing, managing and treating aortic aneurysms and aortic valve disease, I met with Dr. Joseph Bavaria<\/a>.\u00a0 A past-President of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Vice Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery at Penn Medicine Heart & Vascular Institute<\/a>, Dr. Bavaria has performed 9,000+ cardiac procedures of which 6,000+ operations included heart valve repairs and\/or replacements.\u00a0 It should be noted that Dr. Bavaria is an aortic valve and aortic aneurysm specialist who has successfully treated many patients in our community including Mark Siedlecki, Diane Mowery and Eileen Garton.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n