Heart centre an Alberta gem
In 2011, I had a severe blockage in my aortic valve. Left alone, it could kill me.
The normal remedy would be open-heart surgery. But the risk would have been high because I already had open-heart surgery in 2008 and had celebrated quite a few birthdays.
Enter the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute – it turned out to be a lifesaver.
A research program there seeks to repair aortic valve blockage via less intrusive means. After many tests and talks with my medical team, I agreed to the research surgery.
That happened on May 16 and was a total success: my oxygen mix changed from critical to 98 per cent normal.
All Albertans, even all Canadians, can be very proud of our jewel, the Mazankowski heart centre
Paul Schorak, Galahad
("reprinted from the Edmonton Journal May 27, 2012")
