Saint Francis Hospital Celebrates 1,000th Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Procedure
October 25, 2024HARTFORD, Conn. – The Structural Heart Team at Saint Francis Hospital recently performed its 1,000th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Saint Francis has been performing this minimally invasive procedure since 2015. TAVR offers an effective alternative to traditional open-heart surgery for patients suffering from aortic valve disease, including aortic stenosis.
The Saint Francis Hospital Structural Heart Team.
Haseeb Qazi, M.D., Interventional Cardiologist at the Hoffman Heart and Vascular Institute at Saint Francis, performed the milestone procedure alongside Joseph Flack, M.D., Cardiothoracic Surgeon.
Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve narrows, impeding blood flow from the heart. This condition can lead to various symptoms, including shortness of breath, lightheadedness, palpitations, chest pain, and fatigue. There is no medical therapy to treat the condition and severe stenosis typically requires intervention. TAVR provides a minimally invasive option for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Using a catheter-based approach, a new aortic valve is placed without the need for open-heart surgery. This method not only reduces recovery time but also significantly enhances patients' quality of life.
“TAVR has changed the landscape of care for patients with aortic stenosis,” said Haris Athar, M.D., Director of the Structural Heart Team. “We are incredibly proud of our entire team and this achievement for our community. Our focus remains on delivering excellent patient outcomes and experiences, reinforcing our commitment to advanced cardiovascular care.”
In addition to TAVR, the Hoffman Heart and Vascular Institute at Saint Francis offers a variety of minimally invasive treatments for heart valve conditions and other structural heart issues. For more information about the Structural Heart Team at Trinity Health Of New England, visit TrinityHealthOfNE.org/Structural-Heart or call 860-714-1265.