Recovery Blog
By Adam Pick
Research Alert: New Rapid Recovery Protocol for Sternotomy Patients
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Marc Gerdisch, MD, Chief of Cardiac Surgery, Franciscan Health
Published: September 11, 2024
Over the past 10 years, we have learned a lot about the use Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery (ERAS) guidelines. For example, we have learned about rapid recovery protocols that are designed to minimize patient pain using rigid sternal fixation and cryoanalgesia while decreasing opioid (narcotics) usage. Most recently, we learned about in-operating room ventilator tube removal.
17 Years After Heart Surgery, This Happened…
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: August 23, 2023
Dear Patients & Friends,
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.
Mitral Valve Awareness: The Recovery from Mitral Valve Surgery
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Dominic Emerson, MD, Cardiac Surgeon, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Published: April 14, 2023
During the past 20 years, the patient experience following mitral valve surgery has greatly improved. Minimally-invasive techniques, new surgical protocols, and the use of nerve blocks have greatly enhanced recovery. Still, patients often wonder, “What should I expect during the recovery from mitral valve surgery?”
Surgeon Q&A: How Are Enhanced Recovery After Heart Surgery Protocols Helping Patients?
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: February 16, 2023
The recovery from heart surgery can be a bit like a roller coaster. While some patients recover quickly, other patients struggle with issues related to pain management, cardiac depression, opioid overuse, and complications including fluid retention, infections and atrial fibrillation.
Heart Valve Surgery Complications: What Should Patients Know?
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: December 13, 2022
Complications after heart valve surgery can be confusing, scary and frustrating for patients, their family members and friends. For this reason, we just interviewed Dr. Joanna Chikwe, the Chair of Cardiac Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.
“What About Pumphead After Heart Surgery?” asks Tom
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate & Author
Published: November 3, 2022
I received a great question from Tom about “Pumphead” after heart surgery. In his email to me, Tom asked me, “Hi Adam, What is the truth about Pumphead? I have read conflicting reports about whether or not the heart-lung machine is potentially responsible for post-operative cognitive issues including confusion, anxiety, and forgetfulness.”
Yes, You Can Get Life Insurance After Heart Surgery! Call Gordon Conwell!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: August 18, 2022
Since launching HeartValveSurgery.com in 2006, I’ve received many patient questions about getting life insurance after heart surgery. I have also learned the struggles and challenges that patients can experience trying to get life insurance after a heart valve repair or a heart valve replacement operation.
Are COVID-19 Vaccines Safe After Heart Valve & Aortic Aneurysm Surgery?
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: January 3, 2021
I’m getting LOTS and LOTS of great patient questions about the COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Many of the questions are about the safety, efficacy and potential side-effects of these new COVID vaccines for patients who previously had a heart valve replacement implanted, a heart valve repair operation and/or an aortic root reconstruction for an aneurysm.
Sternum Wires: Can I Get an MRI After Heart Surgery? What About Chest Wire Removal?
By Adam Pick on April 13, 2020
I just received two excellent questions about sternum wires and heart surgery from Kelly and Bob.
Technology Update: Can a “Leadless” Pacemaker Fix a Leaking Heart Valve?
By Adam Pick on January 27, 2020
I just received a fascinating question from Shae about leadless pacemakers and leaking heart valves.
“Can Bicycle Riding Wear Out My Heart Valves?” asks Mort
By Adam Pick on November 4, 2019
I just received a great question form Mort about exercise, biking and heart valve durability. Mort asked me, “Adam, Will long distance bicycle riding – approximately 12 hours a week – prematurely wear out an aortic or mitral valve replacement made from porcine tissue?”
“What About Flu Shots for Heart Surgery Patients?” asks Cheryl
By Adam Pick on October 21, 2019
I just received a timely and important question from Cheryl about flu shots and heart surgery. In her email, Cheryl asked me, “Hi Adam – Can I get a flu shot, varicella and pneumococcal vaccines just 6 weeks after mitral valve replacement using a pig tissue valve?”
“Is Congestive Heart Failure Common After Heart Valve Surgery?” asks Shae
By Adam Pick on September 24, 2019
I just received a great question from Shae, a patient, about congestive heart failure after heart valve surgery.
New Study: Heart Surgery Not Linked to Memory Decline
By Adam Pick on January 17, 2019
Over the years, we’ve had several discussions about cognitive issues following heart surgery. Several patients in our community have complained of “pumphead”. Patients often describe pumphead as forgetfulness and/or memory loss that is potentially attributable to heart-lung machine use during open-heart procedures. At the same time, many patients in our community have not noticed any changes in mental capabilities following heart surgery.
Cardiac Depression: What Should Patients Know?
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: November 7, 2023
For many patients, cardiac depression can be an unexpected and dislocating reality after heart surgery. Personally, I suffered from an extreme case of cardiac depression. My outlook was dismal. I had no energy. I felt alone and lifeless. Thankfully… That changed when I learned about cardiac rehabilitation classes and when I saw a therapist.
“What Should Patients Know About Pumphead?” asks Pam
By Adam Pick on January 26, 2018
For patients needing open heart surgery… The use of a heart-lung machine, also known as the “Pump”, is required to circulate blood while the heart is stopped, fixed and then restarted. The use of the Pump, however, has unfortunately been associated with cognitive issues – forgetfulness, poor attention span, fogginess, reduced speed of movement – following surgery.
Cardiologist Q&A: How Should I Take Care Of My Heart After Surgery?
By Adam Pick on January 11, 2018
Karen asked me a great question about taking care of her heart after valve surgery. Her note read, “Hi Adam – I am now approaching my fourth anniversary of mitral valve repair, tricuspid valve repair, and ASD closure. Are there things patients should be aware of as the years go by? How often should we have things performed, like echocardiograms, dental prophylaxis, blood thinners, and any blood work?”
“What About Sternum Healing, Wires & Infection After Heart Surgery?” asks Joachim
By Adam Pick on December 12, 2017
At the Heart Valve Summit, I received a great question about sternum healing, wires and infection. Joachim asked me, “Publications have revealed that 50 to 80% of sternal infections are discovered after discharge, and that cardiac patients have the highest readmission rates. Since the sternal wires are the only force holding the sternum together after surgery, why is it that external chest supports are not a standard, adjunctive, and precautionary procedure after surgery?”
Doctor Q&A: When Can I Return to Normal Activity After Heart Surgery?
By Adam Pick on January 13, 2017
It is one of the best and most common questions I receive from patients. That fantastic question is, “When can I return to normal activity after heart surgery?”
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Surgeon Spotlight
Dr. Doolabh is a leading cardiac surgeon at UT Southwestern who specializes in minimally-invasive heart valve surgery.
