The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery

Each year, over 250,000 heart valve repair and heart valve replacement operations are performed for conditions including stenosis, prolapse, insufficiency, aneurysm, Tetralogy of Fallot and regurgitation. As a result, patients experience several different types of cardiac bypass surgery including aortic valve replacement, mitral valve repair and the Ross Procedure.

HOWEVER... DID YOU KNOW?In a 2007 survey, the majority of former heart valve surgery patients interviewed stated that their expectations were "mismanaged - both before and after surgery."

AND... DID YOU KNOW? In that same study, most heart valve surgery patients noted that recovering from cardiac surgery was "more difficult than expected."

The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery was written by Adam Pick, a double heart valve surgery patient, to address these troubling issues and prepare both patients and their caregivers for the challenges and opportunities of valve surgery - from diagnosis through recovery. The book is intended for patients needing heart valve repair or heart valve replacement surgeries (e.g. mitral valve repair, aortic valve replacement, tricuspid valve repair, pulmonary valve replacement).

Ultimately, this unique book was created to help YOU minimize the stress of heart valve surgery and enhance the patient's recovery.

As of today, The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery has been read by thousands of patients and caregivers in over 35 countries around the world. Dr. Marc Darrow, MD, UCLA School Of Medicine, recently noted about this special book, "If you require mitral valve replacement, aortic valve repair or any heart valve surgery, I strongly encourage patients and their caregivers to read this book!"

As one of the leading analysts in his field, Adam Pick has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek and The Economist for his unique knowledge of electronics manufacturing.

A native and current resident of Los Angeles, Adam earned a bachelors and graduate degree from the University of Michigan.

On November 3, 2005, Adam learned that he would need heart valve replacement surgery. Eight weeks later, Dr. Vaughn Starnes performed aortic and pulmonary valve replacements (the Ross Procedure) on Mr. Pick at the University of Southern California Medical Center.

After a difficult recovery with many unexpected challenges, Adam is back to work, exercising five times per week and traveling the world for fun and business. Adam s heart valve surgery success story was elevated on July 7, 2007 when he married Robyn Podell, his girlfriend of two years.

As part of his experience with heart valve surgery, Mr. Pick learned the highs, the lows, the challenges, the opportunities and the frustrations of heart valve surgery. His book, The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, is his attempt to support patients and caregivers through the entire heart valve surgery process - from diagnosis through recovery.