In case you missed it… Last week, The New England Journal of Medicine published results from the PARTNER Trial, a unique study that examines the safety and efficacy of the new, transcatheter SAPIEN heart valve replacement. Manufactured by Edwards Lifesciences, this investigational device is designed to treat aortic stenosis by replacing the patient’s aortic valve [...]

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In the past, we’ve talked about the risks of valvular disorders and enlarged hearts. Recently, a study was released which further examined whether or not dilated hearts return to normal size after heart valve surgery. Interestingly, the study considered this post-operative objective from a male and female perspective.

According to the study, published in Circulation, genetic [...]

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Since having my aortic valve replaced via the Ross Procedure in 2005, I’ve received a number of questions about this unique double heart valve replacement. One of the most common questions is, “Isn’t that operation more risky as two valves are replaced?”

I have to admit, that is a very fair question. I remember thinking the [...]

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Recently, I was extremely lucky to observe Dr. Saibal Kar and his team perform its 103rd MitraClip procedure on a patient with severe mitral regurgitation at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Saibal Kar And Me In The Cath Lab At Cedars-Sinai

While I expected to watch the procedure from a gallery – much [...]

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In 2009, many public figures, including Barbara Bush and Robin Williams, needed aortic valve replacement due to heart valve diseases including aortic stenosis. One might think that their successful results and the improvement in mortality rates would inspire patients and the medical community to view heart valve surgery as a blessing.
However, fear about the risk [...]

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