The Heart Institute at Palmetto General Hospital now gives patients suffering from severe aortic stenosis (AS) an alternative treatment option to open heart surgery. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the placement of a balloon-expandable heart valve into the body using a catheter.
“At Palmetto General Hospital, we are constantly researching the latest technologies and procedures to meet the ever-changing needs of our patients,” said CEO Ana Mederos. “We are excited to enhance our medical services with the addition of TAVR and offer aortic stenosis patients a new option.”
TAVR is available for patients who do not qualify for open heart procedures. The Edwards SAPIEN Transcatheter Heart Valve, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is designed to replace a patient’s diseased native aortic valve while the heart continues to beat. This avoids the need to stop the patient’s heart and connect him or her to a heart-lung machine during surgery.
