The team that performed the first Alcohol Septal Ablation (ASA) procedure at Broward Health Medical Center.
March 5, 2026 – Broward Health has achieved significant milestones in advanced cardiovascular care, further strengthening its expanding cardiac service line and increasing access to innovative, minimally invasive treatment options for the South Florida community.
In February, Pablo Rengifo-Moreno, M.D., director of structural heart disease at Broward Health, successfully performed the hospital’s first combined Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge (TEER) simultaneous Tricuspid Valve and Miral Valve Repair for a high-risk patient who was not an ideal candidate for open-heart surgery.
“Bringing these advanced structural heart procedures to Broward Health means our patients can receive highly specialized, minimally invasive care close to home,” said Dr. Rengifo. “For individuals who may not be candidates for open-heart surgery, these therapies offer new hope, improved quality of life, and, in many cases, a faster recovery.”
TEER is a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery that involves placing a catheter through a vein in the groin to repair damaged, leaking heart valves. This procedure addresses both the mitral (left side) and tricuspid (right side) valves in one session, which minimizes patient risk, reduces recovery time, and avoids the need for more invasive surgery. The case was a success, executed in collaboration with the cath lab team, cardiac anesthesia, and advanced imaging provided by Dr. Alejandro Mendoza.
“This milestone further positions Broward Health as a regional leader in advanced structural heart therapies and expands access to life-changing treatment options for our community,” said Jenna Merlucci, vice president of Heart and Vascular Services at Broward Health.
Dr. Rengifo also performed BHMC’s first Alcohol Septal Ablation (ASA) procedure. ASA is used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a chronic genetic condition in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, sometimes obstructing blood flow from the heart to the body. Symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may include shortness of breath, fatigue, fainting, reduced exercise tolerance, and in severe cases, sudden cardiac arrest or heart failure.
Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, ASA is performed non-surgically. A small amount of therapeutic ethanol is delivered through a balloon catheter directly to the thickened portion of the heart muscle. The targeted tissue shrinks, improving blood flow and relieving symptoms.
Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in Florida, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Broward County, it remains one of the primary drivers of mortality, as reported by the Florida Department of Health in Broward County.
Following the July 2025 opening of a new cardiac catheterization suite at Broward Health North, these milestones at Broward Health Medical Center further demonstrate Broward Health’s continued investment in expanding advanced care options for patients with complex heart conditions.
For more information about Broward Health’s cardiac resources, visit BrowardHealth.org/Heart.
About Broward Health
Broward Health, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ranks among the 10 largest public healthcare systems in the United States. Nationally recognized for its focus on high-quality care for the residents of Broward County and beyond, Broward Health boasts five hospitals, two trauma centers, was the county’s first statutory teaching hospital and has an ever-growing graduate medical education program. It includes more than 50 health centers and physician practices covering virtually every healthcare specialty.
Broward Health never stops working toward its mission of Exceptional Care, Extraordinary Compassion and Everyday Excellence. Driven by more than 11,000 talented employees and physicians who deliver care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, Broward Health is one of the largest employers in Broward County with an operating budget of $1.8 billion and annually provides almost $520 million in charity and uncompensated care.
For more information about Broward Health, visit BrowardHealth.org.
