Total Aortic Root Replacement in Live Webcast

Wake Forest Cardiothoracic Surgeon to Perform Valve Replacement Live Online

First Seen: January 13, 2004

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Neal Kon, M.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center performed a total aortic root replacement using the Freestyle® stentless porcine aortic root bioprosthesis live on the Internet January 13.

Surgeons at the Wake Forest Heart Center have found the Freestyle® natural valve to be safe and effective for replacing the aortic root or aortic valve (The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, June 2002). The true goal of aortic valve replacement in a patient with aortic valvular heart disease is to return the patient to the quality of life and life expectancy of a patient of the same age without valvular heart disease. Results of nearly a decade show both significantly improved lifestyle and excellent survival.

Kon is assisted by cardiothoracic surgeon Edward H. Kincaid, M.D. Cardiothoracic surgeon Robert Cordell, M.D., hosted the live event, and viewers were able to e-mail questions.

Free CME credit is offered. Wake Forest University School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of one Category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award.