April 8, 2025 – The NCH Rooney Heart Institute has successfully performed its first thoracic branch endoprosthesis procedure, marking another major advancement in cardiac and vascular care at Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH). The procedure was performed by Alvaro Zamora, MD and Santiago Chahwan, MD, leading vascular specialists at NCH, using the innovative FDA approved GORE® TAG® Thoracic Branch Endoprosthesis (TBE).
The GORE® TAG® TBE is a groundbreaking technology designed for minimally invasive repair of complex aortic conditions, such as aneurysms, dissections and trauma. This state-of-the-art device preserves blood flow to the left subclavian artery (LSA), eliminating the need for separate revascularization surgical procedures. The LSA is a major artery that supplies blood to the left arm and parts of the brain.
“This is yet another example of NCH bringing the latest, the best cardiovascular outcomes to our community,” said Robert Cubeddu, MD, president of the NCH Rooney Heart Institute. “By offering the thoracic branch endoprosthesis procedure, we continue to provide cutting-edge cardiovascular care, ensuring that patients in Southwest Florida have access to the best cardiac outcomes without having to leave the region.”
The thoracic branch endoprosthesis represents a significant step forward in aortic repair, offering higher blood flow rates, lower stroke risks and a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery. With this first successful case, NCH joins leading medical centers nationwide in offering this next-generation treatment option.
For more information about advanced cardiovascular treatments at the NCH Rooney Heart Institute, visit www.nchmd.org.
About NCH
NCH (Naples Comprehensive Health) is an Advanced Community Healthcare System™ serving Southwest Florida with premier routine, critical, and specialty care. NCH, a locally governed non-profit, is recognized as one of Healthgrades America’s Top 50 Hospitals which puts it in the top 1% in the nation for clinical excellence, in addition to being named a Top 50 Hospital for Surgical Care. The system is more than just two hospitals (referred to as the NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Hospital) with a total of 713 beds – NCH is an alliance of over 1,100 physicians and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida and is the region’s only Joint Commission accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center. NCH cardiac care is ranked top-3 in the state by Healthgrades. NCH collaborates with the Hospital for Special Surgery for orthopedics, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for pediatrics, and ProScan Imaging for radiology services, ensuring top-tier medical care is available in Southwest Florida. With the largest provider network, urgent/immediate care centers, diagnostic facilities, and two hospitals, NCH is always advancing the quality of care near you. For more information, visit www.NCHmd.org.
