I just received a great email from Janice about directions for the incentive spirometer after heart valve surgery in which the heart-lung machine was used.
She writes, “Hi Adam - I just read your blog about the incentive spirometer, fluid in the lungs and pneumonia. I’m 64 and going in for mitral valve repair next [...]

continue reading.....

My brother, Doug, just sent me these visual illusions. I thought the pictures were pretty amazing. Plus, I liked learning the science behind the illusion (see below).
Do you see what I see?
Flowing leaves - The brown leaf shapes against a green background make this look as if the entire group is flowing—making waves if you [...]

continue reading.....

As patients and caregivers… We need to research our heart valve disease. We need to research our surgical options. We need to research surgeons. And, we need to research hospitals.
Why do we do this? Ultimately, I believe this research empowers us to make smart and confident choices that minimize our surgical risk.
On that [...]

continue reading.....

I just received a very appropriate email from Phil about age groups and heart valve surgery.
Phil writes, “Hi Adam - On Friday, I was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis due to a bicuspid aortic valve. I’m 48 years old with three great kids and a loving wife. This was a complete shock to me and [...]

continue reading.....

Hi everybody,
Thanks for all of your emails about Ethan, our six-month old son.
So you know, Ethan is doing ab-soooooooo-luuuuutely wonderful. He’s been very, very busy adjusting to his new life and his new parents, Robyn (my wife) and me. Here’s the latest Ethan update:

Ethan watched his first Michigan Wolverines football game. As I went to [...]

continue reading.....

Hi everybody,
Thanks for all of your emails about Ethan, our six-month old son.
So you know, Ethan is doing ab-soooooooo-luuuuutely wonderful. He’s been very, very, very busy adjusting to his new life and his new parents, Robyn (my wife) and me. Here’s the latest Ethan update:

Ethan watched his first Michigan Wolverines football game. As I went [...]

continue reading.....

In the past, we have had several discussions about cardiac depression as a common, patient pitfall after heart valve surgery. Now, it appears there is some new evidence which suggests that treating depression may help treat patients after a cardiac event.
Sarah sent me this very interesting article which was recently featured in The Wall Street [...]

continue reading.....

I just received a great patient story from Annette about asthma and heart valve disease.  Here is what she writes:
Don, my husband, had his aortic valve replaced with a cow valve and his mitral valve repaired on July 21, 2009.  Prior to the surgery, Don suffered from severe asthma. His situation was so bad, eleven [...]

continue reading.....

I just received a fantastic, patient update from Anita. As you can read below, Anita is hiking and camping just six months after heart valve repair surgery. Here is what Anita wrote to me:
Hi Adam,
As you may remember, I had mitral valve repair at The Cleveland Clinic on March 30, 2009. Doctor A. Marc Gillinov [...]

continue reading.....

I just received a fantastic, patient update from Anita. As you can read below, Anita is hiking and camping just six months after heart valve repair surgery. Here is what Anita wrote to me:
Hi Adam,
As you may remember, I had mitral valve repair at The Cleveland Clinic on March 30, 2009. Doctor A. Marc Gillinov [...]

continue reading.....