Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog – Page 2
Mitral Annular Calcification: Why Is It So Difficult to Treat?
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: August 7, 2024
Hey Everybody,
I’m getting more-and-more questions about mitral annular calcification (MAC) which is a unique type of heart valve disease that can cause debilitating symptoms and, unfortunately, death. For this reason, I was very excited to interview Dr. Patrick McCarthy about mitral annular calcification at The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
Keep on tickin,
Adam
Stroke Risk & TAVR: What Should You Know in 2024?
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: July 31, 2024
With the increasing usage of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to treat patients with aortic stenosis, we wanted to learn more about the stroke risk associated with this minimally-invasive technique that does not require an incision to the patient’s chest or ribs. Stroke complications have been cited as the “Achilles heel” of TAVR.
For this reason, we connected with Dr. Kendra Grubb, the surgical director of the Emory Structural Heart and Valve Center at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, Georgia, who is a leading aortic valve and TAVR expert. Click here to see my new interview with Dr. Grubb about stroke risk and TAVR.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
Patient Insights: Cardiac Surgery Outcomes Reports (Part 2)
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: July 22, 2024
Hey Everybody,
After posting my video, “Patient Insights: Unwrapping A Cardiac Surgery Outcomes Report”, I received a bunch of great feedback from the heart valve patients in our community.
One of the questions from patients was, “How can I access the Cardiac Surgery Outcomes Reports managed by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). It’s a great question with a very simple answer. Click here to access the Cardiac Surgery Outcomes Reports from the STS.
St. Elizabeth Healthcare Joins Our Community!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: July 18, 2024
I am very excited to announce that St. Elizabeth Healthcare just became the newest sponsor of HeartValveSurgery.com!
Patient Insights: What Should You Know About Cardiac Surgery Outcomes Reports?
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: July 16, 2024
This is really important for all the patients and the care partners in our community…
I just posted a new educational video about the importance of using “Cardiac Surgery Outcomes Reports” when choosing a surgeon or hospital for heart valve treatment. As you will see in this video, I “un-wrap” a cardiac surgery outcomes report to reveal critical insights for a leading cardiac center.
Click here to see me “un-wrap” a cardiac surgery outcomes report.
Keep on tickin,
Adam
Doctor Q&A: What Should Patients Know About TAVR?
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: July 10, 2024
Hey everybody!
We just posted a new educational video with new medical insights and research about the use of minimally-invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis. The video features Dr. G. Michael Deeb, who is the Inaugural Herbert Sloan Professor of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As you may know, Dr. Deeb is an aortic valve expert that specializes in TAVR which requires no incision to the patient’s chest or ribs.
Click here to see the new video about TAVR with Dr. Deeb.
Keep on tickin,
Adam
In Uganda, Patrick Readies for Heart Valve Surgery Thanks to You!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: July 7, 2024
Wonderful news!!!
For the 6th time, I am happy to share that our community just sponsored a life-saving cardiac surgery for a child with heart valve disease.
Join 700 Women Who Took the Women’s Aortic Stenosis Patient Survey!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: June 28, 2024
[June 28, 2024 Update: Thanks to the extraordinary response from the HeartValveSurgery.com community, the Women’s Aortic Stenosis Patient survey is now closed.]
To the Wonderful Women of the HeartValveSurgery.com Community,
Can I ask you for a quick favor? To help future patients, I want to learn more about the experiences of women who currently have aortic stenosis or previously had an aortic valve operation to treat aortic stenosis. That said, I would LOVE to hear your thoughts! Already, over 700 women have taken the survey!
In advance, thanks so much for your help!
I really appreciate it!
Keep on tickin!
Adam
Cardiologist Q&A: Aortic Stenosis Symptoms, Risks and Treatment with Dr. Aneja
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 10, 2024
In case you missed it… We just posted a new educational video all about the symptoms, the risks and the treatment of aortic stenosis. The video features Dr. Ashish Aneja who is a leading cardiologist and aortic valve specialist at MetroHealth in Cleveland, Ohio.
Click here to see the new video about aortic stenosis symptoms, risks and treatment.
Keep on tickin,
Adam
NHL Superstar, Henrik Lundqvist, Interviews His Heart Surgeon, Dr. Eric Roselli
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 6, 2024
Henrik Lundqvist, the NHL superstar goalie of the New York Rangers, is doing an extraordinary job raising awareness to heart valve disease and aortic aneurysms.
Surgeon Spotlight: Dr. Patrick McCarthy Gets His 200th Patient Testimonial!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: May 30, 2024
Woo-Hoo!!! Amazing!!! Wonderful!!!
I am beyond excited to share that Dr. Patrick McCarthy, the Executive Director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine, just received his 200th patient testimonial at HeartValveSurgery.com.
Clinical Trial Alert: New Medtronic Evolut Low-Risk TAVR Findings!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author and Website Founder
Published: May 29, 2024
Big News!
We recently had a very special opportunity to interview Dr. Michael Reardon, the Co-Principal Investigator of the Medtronic Evolut Low-Risk TAVR Clinical Trial, while at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) Conference in San Francisco, California. My chat with Dr. Reardon was specifically about the 4-year clinical trial results for the minimally-invasive Medtronic transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure in low-risk patients.
Many thanks to Dr. Reardon for sharing his clinical experiences and research specific to the Medtronic TAVR procedure with our community.
Related Links:
Keep on tickin!
Adam
New “Ask Dr. Gerdisch Anything” Webinar Video Just Posted!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author and Website Founder
Medical Expert: Marc Gerdisch, MD, Chief of Cardiac Surgery, Franciscan Health
Published: May 24, 2024
Amazing!
Our recent webinar, “Ask Dr. Gerdisch Anything”, brought together patients from all over the world for a live and very interactive educational event that featured Dr. Marc Gerdisch, a world-renowned heart surgeon from Franciscan Health in Indianapolis, Indiana. During his extraordinary career, Dr. Gerdisch has performed over 4,000 heart valve operations.
In case you missed the live webinar, here is a video replay…
Thanks Dr. Gerdisch & Franciscan Health!
On behalf of our patient community, I would like to extend a tremendous thank you to Dr. Gerdisch for sharing his research and clinical experiences specific to heart valve disease management and treatment!
Keep on tickin!
Adam
Join 500 Heart Valve Patients on Today’s Webinar!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: May 23, 2024
[May 23, 2024 Update: Our patient webinar, “Ask Dr. Gerdisch Anything”, was an extraordinary success. To watch a video replay of the webinar, please click this link.]
For this reason, we are hosting a special FREE and LIVE webinar that will provide you a unique opportunity to ask your questions to Dr. Marc Gerdisch, a world-renowned heart surgeon and Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Franciscan Health, who has performed over 4,000 heart valve operations. Dr. Gerdisch specializes in minimally-invasive surgery, rapid recovery protocols for patients, and clinical trial research.
Over 500 patients have already registered for the webinar! More good news… If you have not registered yet, you can still join us for this special community event.
This is going to be great!
Keep on tickin,
Adam
Patient Update: Koert Travels from California to New York for a Ross Procedure by Dr. Paul Stelzer
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: May 19, 2024
Hearing from patients about their heart valve success stories is my favorite part of running the HeartValveSurgery.com community.
For example, here is the fantastic patient story of Koert Takkunen, a 52-year bicuspid aortic valve and aortic aneurysm patient from El Dorado Hills, California (which is just outside of Sacramento).
Koert Takkunen and Dr. Paul Stelzer at Mount Sinai Hospital
Research Alert: New 5-Year Safety Outcomes for On-X Mechanical Aortic Valve at Low INR
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: May 16, 2024
At the recent American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) meeting, Dr. Marc Gerdisch presented new findings for the long-term safety of the On-X mechanical aortic valve at a low International Normalized Ratio (INR). INR is a standardized method to assess the degree of anticoagulation in the blood. This is critical for patients who receive mechanical valve replacements as they require lifelong anticoagulation (e.g. use of blood thinners) to prevent clotting which could lead to a stroke.
To help our patient community better understand the important implications of this study about the On-X mechanical valve replacements, I asked Dr. Gerdisch to share the highlights.
On-X Mechanical Aortic Valve (Source: Artivion)
First Women’s Heart Health Congressional Day in Washington, DC!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: May 9, 2024
It’s not every day that I get invited to participate in a historic patient advocacy effort for women’s heart health. So, when I learned about the first-ever Women’s Heart Health Congressional Day organized by WomenHeart, Women As One and Medtronic, I quickly booked a flight to Washington, DC.
Hartford HealthCare Joins Our Community!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: May 2, 2024
Wonderful news!!! I am excited to announce that Hartford HealthCare from Hartford, Connecticut just became the newest sponsor of HeartValveSurgery.com.
Heart Warrior: New Patient Video Celebrates the Ross Procedure and Dr. Christopher Burke
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: April 28, 2024
Congratulations to Andy Dial, a Ross Procedure patient from Pullayup, Washington and member of the HeartValveSurgery.com, for the wonderful release of his new video, “Heart Warrior”. I am touched, moved and inspired by Andy’s patient advocacy efforts to drive awareness to the Ross Procedure, Dr. Christopher Burke, his surgeon, and the medical team at UW Medicine Heart Institute that helped save Andy’s life.
If you have yet to see Andy’s new video, here it is…
On behalf of our entire community, many thanks to Andy for sharing his heart surgery journey in this video. And, many thanks to Ryan Miller, the producer of Heart Warrior, for doing such an incredible job on this video. Lastly, many thanks to Dr. Christopher Burke and UW Medicine for taking such great care of Andy!
Related links:
- Send Andy a message here
- Ross Procedure: 10+ Facts to Know
- Meet Dr. Christopher Burke: Andy’s Heart Surgeon
Keep on tickin’ Andy!
Adam
Launching Now: New Aortic Stenosis and TAVR Patient Education Center
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: April 25, 2024
Aortic valve stenosis is deadly and under-treated form of heart valve disease. So, to continue my mission of patient education and patient empowerment, I am happy to share that we just launched a new “Aortic Stenosis & TAVR Patient Education Center” at HeartValveSurgery.com.
Thanks to the support of world-renowned aortic valve experts, including Drs. Aneja, Deeb, Grubb and Reardon, this new platform provides the latest medical insights specific to the dangerous risks, the debilitating symptoms, surgical therapies, and the minimally-invasive treatment of aortic stenosis using the Medtronic TAVR procedure.
Click here to experience the new Aortic Stenosis & TAVR Patient Education Center.
On behalf of our patient community, many thanks to Dr. Ashish Aneja, Dr. G. Michael Deeb, Dr. Kendra Grubb, Dr. Michael Reardon and the entire Structural Heart Team at Medtronic for supporting this global educational initiative.
Keep on tickin!
Adam