Reid’s Heart & Vascular team reaches milestone for TAVR procedures to treat aortic stenosis

June 13, 2023 -- Reid Health's Heart & Vascular team recently celebrated completion of its 50^th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure, a treatment that can add years of life to those living with aortic stenosis.

Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart. There can be several causes, including a build-up of calcium on the leaflets of the valve as a person ages, rheumatic fever, or some congenital heart conditions.

The narrowing makes the heart work harder to supply the rest of the body with blood and oxygen, leading to symptoms such as:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Feeling dizzy, light-headed, or fainting
• Swollen ankles or feet
• Fatigue
• A decline in activity level because of a reduced ability to walk, stand, or sleep

"Many patients dismiss these symptoms as 'just getting older,'" said Lindsey Hobson, NP, Valve Clinic Coordinator for Reid Health. "Often their symptoms are greatly improved with the replacement of their aortic valve."

Severe aortic stenosis affects about 3 in 100 people over the age of 75. Without replacing the valve, life expectancy is usually 50% at two years as the risk of heart failure increases and quality of life goes down.

"We're proud of our program here at Reid. Since we started it, we've had excellent results and it continues to grow. I'm so glad this program is available here because it has allowed many people who might not have been candidates for an open-heart procedure to enjoy the benefits and significantly improved quality of life of having their valve replaced." -- Reid Health Cardiothoracic Surgeon Mohey Saleh, MD

Reid's first TAVR procedure was performed in December 2020. Patients are placed under general anesthesia, and a long, thin tube called a catheter is guided through the groin into the femoral artery, taking the new valve to the heart and setting it in place.

"The 50^th procedure was a landmark set by our TAVR Steering Committee before our first implant," said Tyler Evans, Reid's Cardiovascular Service Line Director. "It signifies the growth and dedication of our team over the past three years as we build the program and continue to make a significant impact on our patients' lives."

The procedure is minimally invasive, reducing the risks for infection and complications and increasing recovery time compared to open-heart surgery. Reid's Heart & Vascular team has had a 98% success rate with TAVR.

"We're proud of our program here at Reid. Since we started it, we've had excellent results and it continues to grow," said Reid Health Cardiothoracic Surgeon Mohey Saleh, MD.

"I'm so glad this program is available here because it has allowed many people who might not have been candidates for an open-heart procedure to enjoy the benefits and significantly improved quality of life of having their valve replaced."