Aortic valve replacement has become remarkably safe and routine, with operative mortality and stroke rates approaching (but not reaching) zero, even in elderly subjects. However, disruptive technology changes the playing field. We now have ways to implant a new aortic valve with the heart beating, the chest closed and the patient awake—and even participating in the procedure.
The next Science Café Cleveland event, titled “Open-Heart Surgery is Now Closed – Big Operations with Little Catheters,” will address whether the initial tidal wave of enthusiasm by early adopters in the cardiovascular disease community is justified.
The community is invited to come decide for themselves, and help answer this month’s question: “If it ain’t broke, should we fix it anyway?”
Alan Markowitz, assistant clinical professor of surgery and chief surgical officer at the University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, and Stacey Mazzurco, clinical trials manager at the UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, will lead the discussion.
The talk will be held Monday, July 11, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Music Box Supper Club Concert Hall (1148 Main Ave.).
The CWRU chapter of Sigma Xi, WCPN ideastream and the Music Box Supper Club sponsor Science Café Cleveland.
More information about the event is available at case.edu/affil/sigmaxi/.