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The Forefront of Cardiology
It's been half a century since Albert Starr co-invented and implanted the world's first artificial heart valve, but the impact of his medical milestone is still being felt today. The valve, conceived in Oregon by Starr and engineer Lowell Edwards, was an early success in the medical device industry and paved the way for countless innovations in the field of cardiology worldwide. It also saved lives. A Facebook tribute page is filled with testimonials from grateful patients given a second chance at life through his work.
Albert Starr's surgical prowess has taken him from the front lines of the Korean War to the sparkling streets of 1970's Paris, but Portland has long been home to both his personal and professional pursuits. He founded the Albert Starr Academic Center in Portland that attracts top talent to the region, and has left an indelible mark on generations of doctors and patients in the Northwest.
We'll speak to Albert Starr about his lifetime of work, including how his namesake valve has evolved over time, and hear from researchers at the forefront of cardiology's future about innovations yet to come.
How have changes in cardiology affected quality of life for you, or people you know? What do you want to know from Albert Starr?
Tagged as: cardiology · dr. albert starr · health · heart valve · surgery
Photo credit: Courtesy of OHSU Historical Collections
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Good eye, longtimevalver! The caption's been fixed.
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How has cardiac valve technology evolved from your first generation models?
If your own relative was undergoing valve surgery today, what would be the best available device for the long term?
In studying failure patterns what tends to wear out first?
Other than size and fit, are Mitral and Aortic artificial valves similar? Are the mitral subvalvular components necessary?
Is there a trend to more biological valves versus mechanical valves?
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Dr. Starr has performed heart surgery on me twice in my lifetime. I was a 10 year old boy the first time. He did a life saving Tetrology of Fallot repair in March of 1965.
40 years later, On September 9, 2005, Dr. Starr operated on me again. This time, for a much needed a pulmonary valve replacement. It was not possible to do it during the previous surgery. An Edwards bovine tissue valve was implanted. A recent echocardiogram shows it to be working well. I want to thank Dr. Starr for giving me the gift of life...twice! I also congratulate him on this 50th year milestone. Well done, sir!
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Nearly 30 years ago when I was 3 months and again at 4 months old, I had open heart surgery to repair 2 septal defects and coarctation of my aorta. Dr Starr was the surgeon and I've always wanted to thank him! I would not be alive today without him and his excellent team in early 1981. I have had no complications since! The innovations in cardiology over the years have been truly amazing and lifesaving.
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On November 9, 1960, Dr Starr corrected two congenital defects, repairing a valve and patching a large hole in my heart. He is a gift to Oregon and me in his abilities to diagnose and correct heart problems. I was 24 years old and my heart was enlarging and needed to be fixed for me to live a normal life. Now I am 74 years old, and celebrate that date of surgery like another birthday - 50 years in November. Thank you so much, Dr Starr. I wish you could know how much you mean to me and to Oregon.
Gayle Sanderson Street
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I remember getting on an elevator @ OHSU in the 60's and hearing a rather loud repetitive noise coming from the rear of the elevator. The sound was coming from a gentleman in the rear of the elevator and was coming from a S/E early valve. It was quite striking! What changes did you make that reduced the sound?
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How does a 'stuck valve' behave and what are the symptoms?
What does Dr. Starr think of a new controversial syndrome called Pump Brain, from prolonged cardiac bypass surgeries characterized by depression, dementia and sometimes an accelerated death.
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This comment was removed due to inappropriate content. --Sarah Jane Rothenfluch, Executive Producer, Think Out Loud
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I had my aortic valve replaced Nov 2 of last year, and have been taking an anticoagulant since, with the expectation of needing it for the rest of my life, plus monthly checks of my blood clotting level. Why no mention of this in your discussion???
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Dr. Starr, I have had 3 valve replacement surgeries since 1980 and am friends with Bob Baker one of your first patients as well as the longest surviving valve replacement patient. I want to thank you for the work that has allowed me to be alive today as well as my friend Bob.
Sincerely, Gina (Bohannon)
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This is a very timely topic for me. I have an autoimmune disorder, and about 10 years ago they found a murmur. They did an echo and found a slight aortic valve leak (insufficiency). I had no symptoms at the time. Today I am very symptomatic, and my recent echo found moderate leakage and another "abnormality". I am waiting to see a cardiologist to determine and discuss having it replaced. I am only 34 years old. Are replacements common on this age group?
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Why do some patients get PIG valves instead if silicone ?
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Thank You, Thank You, Thank You- I love the story. My daughter is a recipient of the break throughs that you developed so long ago. She is a orphan from China that would surely not be alive right now. We brought her home a year ago and she had open heart surgery to repair a valve and many other heart problems. She is incredibly sweet and will add to this world in wonderful ways.
Brian
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While Dr. Starr was not my surgeon 4 years ago when my aortic valve was replaced, I am forever indebted to him for his brilliant work. Thank you, Dr. Starr. Your interview today has been very interesting. As patients, we have meetings with our surgeons, but given the daunting nature of open heart surgery, many of us never have enough knowledge to ask all the questions that you were, today, answering. Fascinating. For anyone reading today who may be anticipating heart valve surgery, I would like to invite you to an online forum where you can garner much needed support and non-professional medical advice about valve surgery. www.valvereplacement.org It was founded a decade ago by a man who had had a valve replacement and saw a need for an online community where problems, concerns and support could be exchanged. For many, it has been a godsend as it is a simple and very caring group of people. Again I would like to extend my appreciation to Dr. Starr for his persistence and dedication which has given extended life to so many fortunate people.
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I am the founder of www.Valvereplacement.org that Marguerite mentioned. As was mentioned - Thank you Dr. Starr for your willingness to spend time educating those who seek and yearn for it. Valve Replacement Surgery is a turning point in so many people's lives. It is a daunting thing to be faced with, and there are so many different experiences out there from those who have gone through recoveries. Online events such as this do so much to help so many in a time of need. Once again - Thank you Dr. Starr and Marguerite - thank you for the kind mention.
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I entered U of O School of nursing just six months after Dr. Starr performed the first implant. It was an exciting time to be there, and Dr. Starr was definitely one of the "Heroes on The Hill." As a student I provided the pre-operative care for a man who was to have two valves replaced. How happy and excited we were when the patient recovered and had made history that day by becoming the first patient to receive three valve replacements.
As a new graduate I went to work at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center where, coincidentally, Dr. Starr had attended medical school. When people found that I was from the UofO they knew about it and Dr. Starr's success.
Thank you for the work you do and the opportunity to revive some good memories.
Jane (OHSU '63), Bend, OR
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June of 1960 Dr. Starr Repaired my pulmonary valve and patched a hole in my heart. Before that my lips would turn blue when I played , now I am 67 with a normal life to Dr. Starr thankyou for my life and I am giving all my wealth to his fund when I go thankyou Dr. Starr from chuck
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Comments are now closed.
Dr. Starr "implanted" rather than "transplanted" the valve. The story has it right, but the caption under his picture has it wrong.