Shreveport, LA – CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center has achieved a significant milestone by successfully completing its 500th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure, marking a major achievement in the treatment of heart disease affecting the aortic valve.
The TAVR procedure, a less invasive alternative to traditional open-heart surgery, offers patients a quicker recovery time and reduced hospital stays. According to Dr. Timothy Danish, a cardiothoracic surgeon at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, TAVR patients typically spend just one night in the hospital and recover within a week, compared to the four to five days and six weeks of recovery associated with traditional heart surgery.
Aortic valve stenosis, the heart valve disease treated by TAVR, affects more than 1.5 million Americans annually. The procedure involves inserting a replacement valve attached to a catheter through an artery, usually in the groin area. The new valve is then expanded and positioned in place of the malfunctioning valve.
“A typical TAVR procedure takes about an hour, or up to two hours in more complicated cases,” explained Dr. Danish. “This minimally invasive procedure has proven to be an excellent addition to the range of heart valve treatments we offer and continues to grow in popularity worldwide.”
Initially reserved for older, high-risk patients, TAVR is now being more widely adopted for younger and healthier patients. Dr. Danish emphasized the importance of a team approach in deciding the best treatment for each individual patient.
Dr. Pavan Katikaneni, a cardiologist with Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists, highlighted the impact of reaching this milestone. “Each procedure represents a story of enhanced quality of life and renewed hope for patients who were once considered high risk for traditional surgery,” he said. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and teamwork of the entire structural heart team.”
The 500th TAVR procedure was completed on June 26, alongside three other TAVR procedures performed that day. CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center conducted its first TAVR procedure in 2018 and has since continued to innovate and improve its services to ensure the best possible outcomes for its patients.