Has anyone heard of this?

[clouddancer22]

I just got this email today from a friend in the Netherlands:
Wow! I am hoping this works out as an option for my daughter someday.


Translation of the artikel in a newspaper in the netherland and I have seen parts of the operation on tv.

the Erasmus Hospital in Rotterdam has voor the first time in the Netherlands replaced a valve without openheart operation was needed.They did it through Cathether in the groin. De operation is seen as very pionering and only patients that are to week for an operation are eligible for this operations for now. The 76 year old lady in Rotterdam that was helped this way was told in other hospitals they could not help her anymore..

So far is is doing ok.

Worldwide this operation has only been done 25 times.

Just wanted to let you know.

[Rich]

The first one in the USA was done at my hospital in SE Michigan.
I personally met the man for a few hours last week.
It currently is only for those who cannot tolerate open heart surgery.
In this man's case it was because of other serious medical problems.
However he is doing quite well.
Rich

[JeanneImp]

Youngest Patient Ever Benefits from Non-Surgical Heart Valve Replacement at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital

For Release: November 10, 2004

http://www.lpch.org/NewsEvents/NewsReleases/heartValve.html

[suqunzhang]

The article under this link was talking about something similar.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/051129/nytu064.html?.v=30

[George]

My surgeon was Dr. Albert Starr, co-inventor of the Starr-Edwards valve. This was his prediction to me: When the valve he implanted in me last September needs to be replaced in 20 years, the procedure described in this thread will be standard practice.

[clouddancer22]

Wow, thanks for the replies and the info. How exciting! I am still learning my way around here, sorry if I post in the wrong place.