Charles Cosgrove

Charles Cosgrove of Southington, Connecticut had a heart murmur caused by a congenital condition, but it didn't deter him from his favorite activities: hiking, kayaking, and running five marathons. In May 2005, his family practitioner, Dr. Jonathan Krumeich, who had been listening to his heart over the years, noticed a change in the murmur during a routine well-check. Charles underwent an echocardiogram and stress test, which revealed a leaky aortic valve. He then had a cardiac catheterization with normal results.

His cardiologist, Dr. Bruce Liang, Director of Cardiology at the University of Connecticut’s School of Medicine, followed Charles’ case closely, and by July the situation had become worse. Charles was told that 1% of the population has bad valves and 20% of those with bad valves also develop an aortic aneurysm. Unfortunately, he was one of them. In Charles' case, not only his heart valve, but also his aorta needed to be replaced.

Prior to surgery, Charles was given the choice between a valve made from pig or cow tissue, and said his surgeon was leaning towards cow tissue due to his experience and the valve's long term performance. In his 43 years as a respiratory therapist, Charles was involved in many life-saving experiences, but never one in which he was the patient. All of that changed in September 2005 when, at age 61, Charles successfully underwent surgery with cardiac surgeon Dr. Paul Preissler at the University of Connecticut Medical Center in Farmington, CT, and received a bovine (cow) pericardial heart valve (Model 3000TFX Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna valve with ThermaFix treatment) and a graft to replace his aorta.

Charles is thankful for the great care from his physicians and the hospital staff, and appreciative that such technology is available. He is able to maintain his active lifestyle and continues to hike and kayak in the beautiful mountains along the East Coast. Though he has always enjoyed life, he has a renewed appreciation and perspective, including a new-found love of cows. He quips, "I recommend the lobster."