New Program Replaces Aortic Valve in a Beating Heart

First of Kind Procedure in Dayton

DAYTON, OHIO, Nov. 24, 2014 – The Premier Health Heart and Vascular Institute is pleased to announce a medical milestone for the Dayton region with the first successful replacement of an aortic valve in a beating heart. Known as a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), this minimally invasive procedure gives new hope to patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis, who otherwise may not be candidates for surgical intervention. 

“We are thrilled to bring the TAVR procedure to our region, and to offer this innovative, quality care close to home,” says Jim Pancoast, president and CEO of Premier Health. “Creation of the TAVR program was a monumental team effort on behalf of many members of our medical staff. We are pleased to be the first health system in Dayton to offer this minimally-invasive surgical option to the public.”

Aortic stenosis is a common valve disease problem, especially for those over age 65. With aortic stenosis, the heart’s aortic valve narrows, preventing the valve from fully opening, and restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Until recently, the only treatment for aortic stenosis was open-heart surgery, in which a surgeon creates a large incision and divides the breast bone in order to replace the defective valve. TAVR provides another option for those who are not candidates for open-heart surgery. 

"Having the TAVR procedure available locally allows us to help patients who previously would have needed to travel much farther for care,” says David Joffe, MD, an interventional cardiologist and member of the Premier Health TAVR team. “With this minimally-invasive procedure, we are able to help patients who previously had no surgical options. TAVR can be life changing.”

The TAVR procedure is performed at Miami Valley Hospital, but the multidisciplinary TAVR team is composed of specialists from across Premier Health. The program also has a certified nurse specialist who assists with pre-operative testing, post-operative care and patient follow-up post procedure. 

“Without treatment, severe aortic stenosis causes cardiac stress, and may lead to heart failure or sudden death. It is the collaboration between primary care physicians, cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, radiologists, anesthesiologists, and others that makes this program possible, and improves the quality of life for those we serve,” says James Pacenta, MD, interventional cardiologist and member of the Premier Health TAVR team.

For more information about TAVR and other advanced cardiovascular treatments available from Premier Health, visit www.premierhealth.com/heart. 

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