April 28, 2020 – Westside Regional Medical Center successfully performed its first ever Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure on Tuesday, April 22, 2020. TAVR is a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart valve replacement surgery. Westside Regional’s first TAVR patient is 72-year-old Freda Glatt. Prior to undergoing the procedure, the patient Glatt had a history of hypertension and severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis is a condition in which the valve that allows blood to be pumped out of the heart becomes narrowed and restricts blood flow, causing a strain on the pumping function of the heart.
According to Dr. Kevin Ergle, an interventional cardiologist board certified in structural heart at Westside Regional Medical Center, Glatt was previously quite active at home and used her treadmill on a regular basis. However, over time she began to notice that functional activity declining, to the point that walking in her house would make her fatigued and short of breath. “Before the surgery, I was walking with baby steps and hardly had the energy to stand up,” explained Glatt. “It was quite a chore to do anything. Mainly, I sat on the couch watching television and doing a variety of written puzzles and a jigsaw puzzle. As time went on, I felt as though I was getting worse.”
Freda Glatt initially met with Dr. Arnold Ghitis, an interventional cardiologist at Westside Regional Medical Center, who used 3D representations and performed a trans esophageal echocardiogram (TEE) to show the patient how her blood was having trouble getting through the chambers of her heart. Because Glatt was hesitant to undergo open-heart surgery, she met with Dr. Ergle and Dr. Robert Farivar, the Medical Director of the TAVR Program at Westside Regional, for further evaluation. They then decided she would be a candidate for TAVR procedure, a minimally invasive approach to valve replacement therapy through the arteries in the leg and jointly performed the procedure.
“The procedure takes about an hour to perform. It is definitely a team effort,” explained Dr. Ergle. “There is an interventional cardiologist, (Dr. Engle) cardiac surgeon ( Dr. Farivar) , anesthesia team, cardiac cath techs, nurses, physical therapists, valve coordinator, and other ancillary staff that make coordination and care possible.” Glatt was monitored overnight and walked out of the hospital the next morning.
Prior to her TAVR procedure, Glatt was having trouble walking on her treadmill at a speed of 1.0 MPH. The day after her procedure, she was walking at 3.5 MPH without any issues or symptoms. She is now able to easily move around her house without any symptoms. “I can definitely feel the difference. Now that I’ve had the surgery, I feel strong and can actually feel my natural heart beat,” said Freda Glatt, “I’m so glad I met these wonderful doctors who used their knowledge and experience to make me whole, again. Whatever kind of surgery they recommend, I would do.”
For more information on Westside Regional Medical Center’s cardiology services, please call (954) 370-5585 or visit www.westsideregional.com/specialties/cardiology
About Westside Regional Medical Center
Westside Regional Medical Center, an award-winning 250-bed hospital, is recognized for providing a wide array of services to the residents of Broward County, South Florida and visitors from around the world. We offer 24-hour comprehensive medical, surgical and diagnostic services, including oncology, cardiology and emergency care. Westside Regional also offers the community with the latest in minimally invasive spine and colorectal surgery and is one of only nine Joint Commission certified centers in the United States for minimally invasive colorectal surgery. Not only is Westside Regional certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Agency for Health Care Administration (ACHA), but it also received its Thrombectomy Capable Center certification from the Joint Commission. Westside Regional Medical Center is also a teaching and research facility, offering Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs in podiatry, surgery and internal medicine. For over 45 years, Westside Regional Medical Center has been committed to expanding and improving every facet of the organization, devoting significant time and resources to enhancing the facility, staff and medical care. Westside Regional Medical Center has an outstanding staff, which includes physicians, specialists and employees, all of whom place importance in making their patients feel welcome and comfortable.
For more information visit www.westsideregional.com or call 954-370-5585.
Westside Regional Medical Center is a facility of HCA East Florida. HCA East Florida is the largest healthcare system in Eastern Florida and an affiliate of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). HCA East Florida has 14 hospitals, multiple ambulatory surgery centers, physician practices, and free standing emergency care facilities, as well as a supply chain center and an integrated regional lab. Together, HCA East Florida employs more than 18,000 employees and has nearly 7,000 physicians on staff. For more information, visit HCAEastFlorida.com.
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Aventura Hospital and Medical Center + Highlands Regional Medical Center + JFK Medical Center +
JFK Medical Center North Campus + Kendall Regional Medical Center + Lawnwood Regional Medical Center + Mercy Hospital + Northwest Medical Center + Palms West Hospital + Plantation General Hospital + Raulerson Hospital + St. Lucie Medical Center + University Hospital & Medical Center + Westside Regional Medical Center
