University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center performs first minimally invasive aortic valve replacement

The University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center, a leader in heart valve replacement, has performed its first minimally invasive aortic valve replacement.

The nationally ranked U-M is among 40 sites in the nation selected for the Medtronic CoreValve U.S. Pivotal trial, a study that will examine an investigational alternative to open heart surgery for patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Physicians with the U-M aortic program performed the implantation of the Medtronic CoreValve Transcathetic Aortic Valve prosthesis on three patients, April 28-29. Designed to replace a diseased aortic heart valve percutaneously via a catheter, the procedure potentially provides a safe and less invasive alternative to open heart surgery.
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U-M Congenital Heart Surgery Celebrates 50 Years

In 1960, University of Michigan surgeon, Dr. Herbert Sloan, in partnership with pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Aaron Stern, made Michigan history by successfully performing the first pediatric open-heart surgery in the state, and one of the first in the nation. Fifty years later, Kathleen Slagenwhite – the recipient of that surgery – reflects on the experience. Read entire article.

A Purveyor of Miracles: U-M’s Beloved Pediatric Heart Surgeon, Dr. Ed Bove

“I’ve always been interested in understanding the mechanics of how things are put together,” says renowned U-M pediatric cardiac surgeon Edward Bove. “My father was an engineer and I grew up going with him to construction sites. What I love about pediatric cardiac surgery is that it’s constructive. Rather than remove something, I build something.” Not just any old something, mind you; Dr. Bove specializes in the building of children’s hearts. An almost unfathomably monumental task, but one he has steadfastly undertaken almost every day for the past 25 years. Read entire article.

Study to improve quality of life and outcomes for kids with heart defect

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A trial on shunts used to direct blood flow to the lungs, led by researchers at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital will lead to better outcomes for kids worldwide born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the most common severe heart birth defect.

This groundbreaking study is published in the May 27, 2010 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Richard G. Ohye, M.D., Division Head of the Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, is the study chair and lead author. Read more…

March 15, 2010: Mott surgeons pioneer procedure for children to lead tracheotomy-free lives

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Surgeons at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, including cariac surgeon Richard G. Ohye, M.D., have pioneered a way to close tracheotomies in children with a new procedure that has, so far, been 100 percent successful.

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March 3, 2010: Jennifer Hirsch, M.D., earns national award for women in cardiac surgery

The research foundation of the nation’s largest group of thoracic surgeons has awarded University of Michigan’s Jennifer C. Hirsch, M.D., M.S., with the Nina Starr Braunwald award, a top award for women in cardiac surgery.
Hirsch, a cardiac surgeon at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center, is an author and co-author of articles on surgical approaches to congenital heart defects. She is also surgical director of the pediatric cardiothoracic intensive care unit at U-M Medical Center. Read more…

January 18. 2010 – U-M Congenital Heart Center hosts Tweet chat on heart defect surgeries

­­The public, including parents of babies with severe heart defects, is invited to submit questions for inclusion in a tweet chat about surgical approaches for heart defects from noon-2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20 on Twitter.

John C. Charpie, M.D., Ph.D., head of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Richard G. Ohye, M.D., head of the Division of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery at the U-M Congenital Heart Center, will answer submitted questions. Read full article…

September 24, 2009 – The Dick Sarns Innovation Fund

The University of Michigan is pleased to announce the Dick Sarns Innovation Fund at our new Medical Innovation Center. A pioneer in biomedical engineering, Dick Sarns’ groundbreaking technologies have improved surgical outcomes for countless patients.

In collaboration with leading cardiac surgeons at the University of Michigan, Sarns developed the heart/lung machine for use during open-heart surgery, which has become the most noted and widely used product of its kind.

Read the full article.

September 8, 2009 – 8-Year-Old Just Wants to be a Kid After Heart Transplant

Most Michigan kids will head back to school today amid a certain amount of grousing about the end of summer freedom.

Eight-year-old Tommy Schomaker is simply thankful to be back in school.

April 19, 2009 — Blueberry intake reduces abdominal fat and lowers risk for cardiovascular disease

Research shows blueberry intake reduced abdominal fat and lowered risk for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome in obese lab rats.

The new research by E. Mitchell Seymour, M.S. and Steven Bolling, M.D. of the U-M Cardioprotection Research Laboratory gives tantalizing clues to the potential of blueberries in reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. The effect is thought to be due to the high level of phytochemicals – naturally occurring antioxidants – that blueberries contain.

Learn more about this research…