May is around the corner and one of our warrior patients is an inspiring mom and someone whom we are grateful to know and have cared for. Her name is Kuan-hsien 'Milly' Lee. She is a 36-year old mother of two who was recently treated for a mitral valve prolapse by CTVS board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon [...]
Most musicians will say they want you to listen to their music. But one local and legendary blues guitarist says that you should listen to your heart. Jimmie Vaughan, 72, is an Austin-born musician (and older brother of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan). A few months ago, that may not have seemed possible. Vaughan recently [...]
The mitral valve is a major part of the heart situated between the lungs and the left ventricle. It helps to regulate blood flow and ensure that it moves in the right direction throughout the body. If it becomes leaky (mitral valve regurgitation) or too narrow (mitral valve stenosis), it may need repair or replacement [...]
Having the flu may have saved former Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell's life last spring. Because of his severe symptoms, he had a chest X-ray so doctors could take a closer look into his lungs. That's when they discovered what's called a thoracic aortic aneurysm (or TAA). A TAA is a bulge that develops in the [...]
As Thanksgiving approaches and we reflect on what we are grateful for at CTVS, seeing our patients thrive is definitely at the top of our list. 67-year-old Freddie Martinez is one of those patients. He has been under the care of board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. William Kessler since 2011 when he underwent emergency surgery for [...]
The mitral valve is a small but very important element of the heart that helps to ensure blood is flowing in the correct direction throughout the body. If it becomes damaged or weakened, due to conditions such as regurgitation (a leaky valve) or stenosis (a narrowed valve), it may need to be replaced. Transcatheter mitral [...]
All throughout February, CTVS has been sharing ways to get heart healthy in honor of American Heart Month. One important piece of advice we are sharing comes from a special patient of ours, Chris Valdez, who says that you should never ignore troubling health symptoms, especially those regarding your heart, as it could mean a [...]
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease in the U.S., affecting approximately 18.2 million adults over the age of 20. It is a condition in which arteries of the heart become narrowed or clogged due to plaque build-up. If left untreated, this restricted blood flow to the heart can lead [...]
Heart valve issues such as regurgitation (where the valve doesn’t close tightly and leaks) or stenosis (narrowing) stemming from a congenital condition or damage due to age or a serious illness can require surgical repair or valve replacement. CTVS has spent more than 65 years treating heart valves and other cardiothoracic issues, and our board-certified [...]
Several months ago, Helen Garrison was suffering from dizzy spells she initially attributed to side effects from a new medication. Diagnostic tests later revealed she had an ascending aortic aneurysm and a leaky aortic valve. An aortic aneurysm is an abnormal bulge that forms in the wall of the heart’s most important blood vessel, [...]
