- The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 18 COVID patients today, 17 Wednesday. Other significant numbers:
• 9 with the active virus today, 8 Wednesday
• 2 in ICU, 1 Wednesday
• 0 on a ventilator, 1 Wednesday
Key points from today’s guests:
Kaley Patterson, heart valve replacement procedure patient
- Kaley was 19 days old when she had her first heart procedure. Her valve was not letting blood go out to the body.
- 29 years later as a teacher, she was due for her third heart surgery, and fortunately, it was not going to involve open heart surgery as her doctors used a minimally invasive technique to put the new heart valve in through a catheter.
- Her fiancé was nervous for her, but the doctors helped him understand the steps along the way.
- She was back to work the next week and in front of the students she loves.
- She recommends people schedule yearly checkups to identify early if something is wrong.
Dr. Trip Zorn, thoracic surgeon, surgical director of cardiac surgery, The University of Kansas Health System
- This procedure is so much easier because the level of incision is so much less than open heart surgery, which results in longer recovery.
- With the catheter technology, it’s usually a procedure on one day and at home the next. With open heart surgery, it’s usually a 4- to 6-week recovery time.
- Kaley had a pulmonary stenosis, which means the valve doesn’t develop normally.
- She has had to undergo surgeries to fix the issue as she has grown up.
- The cardiologist and the surgeon were in the room together during Kaley’s procedure, which is typically done at the Health System because it involves skills both have developed and are good to have in the room for patients.
- Dr. Zorn is the first doctor in the region to perform:
- TAVR
- Corevalve
- Percutaneous Pulmonary Valve
- Valve-in-Valve Mitral Replacement
- Valve-in-Valve Tricuspid Replacement
- Tricuspid Clip Implant
- He said it is an exciting time for patients with congenital heart disease because to the new technologies to help.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, infection prevention & control, The University of Kansas Health System
- The CDC published new data this week about COVID vaccine safety.
- Data shows that for kids between six months and five years old, mRNA vaccines are extremely safe.
- This was the first study to include kids who received a third dose.
- We know that vaccines, especially childhood preventable vaccines, as very safe.
Monday, June 12 at 8 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. Learn more about medical stigmas and stereotypes that are hurting men’s health.
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