Tal Golesworthy: How I repaired my own heart

The video discusses a personal journey of an engineer with Marfan syndrome who innovates a new treatment for aortic dilation. By collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, he develops a personalized, non-invasive solution that avoids traditional surgery's complications. The video highlights the challenges faced, such as institutional barriers and professional skepticism, and emphasizes the benefits of multidisciplinary research in achieving innovative solutions.

What is the main issue with the ascending aorta in people with Marfan syndrome?

• It is overly flexible.

• It is too rigid.

• It lacks tensile strength.

• It is too short.

What was the speaker's initial reaction to the traditional surgical treatment for aortic dilation?

• He was eager to undergo it.

• He found it unattractive and frightening.

• He was indifferent.

• He found it exciting.

What is the primary advantage of the external support method for aortic dilation?

• It is more expensive than traditional methods.

• It eliminates the need for anticoagulation therapy.

• It uses a synthetic aorta.

• It requires a longer surgery time.

How is the personalized aortic support created?

• Using a standard mold.

• Through CAD models and rapid prototyping.

• By using pre-made parts.

• By trial and error.

What role did John Pepper play in the development of the new treatment?

• He was the lead engineer.

• He was the cardiac surgeon who performed the surgery.

• He was the funding manager.

• He was the patient.

What was a major challenge faced by the multidisciplinary team?

• Lack of funding.

• Inadequate technology.

• Insufficient patient data.

• Jargon and institutional barriers.

What is the term coined by the speaker to describe resistance to change in the medical field?

• Progressive innovation.

• Obstructive conservatism.

• Conservative evolution.

• Medical inertia.

How did the speaker describe the cost of developing the new treatment?

• Moderately expensive.

• Surprisingly low.

• Comparable to traditional methods.

• Extremely high.

What is a key benefit of multidisciplinary collaboration according to the speaker?

• It slows down the process.

• It limits the scope of research.

• It increases costs.

• It leads to novel solutions quickly.

What was the outcome for the patients who underwent the new treatment?

• They needed long-term medication.

• They required additional surgeries.

• They had no problems post-surgery.

• They experienced multiple complications.