The minimally invasive procedure is an alternative to traditional open-heart surgery for patients with aortic valve disease.
HARTFORD, Conn. (October 25, 2024) – The Structural Heart Team at Saint Francis Hospital recently performed its 1,000th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Saint Francis has been performing this minimally invasive procedure since 2015. TAVR offers an effective alternative to traditional openheart surgery for patients suffering from aortic valve disease, including aortic stenosis.
Haseeb Qazi, M.D., Interventional Cardiologist at the Hoffman Heart and Vascular Institute at Saint Francis, performed the milestone procedure alongside Joseph Flack, M.D., Cardiothoracic Surgeon.
Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve narrows, impeding blood flow from the heart. This condition can lead to various symptoms, including shortness of breath, lightheadedness, palpitations, chest pain, and fatigue. There is no medical therapy to treat the condition and severe stenosis typically requires intervention. TAVR provides a minimally invasive option for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Using a catheter-based approach, a new aortic valve is placed without the need for open-heart surgery. This method not only reduces recovery time but also significantly enhances patients’ quality of life.
“TAVR has changed the landscape of care for patients with aortic stenosis,” said Haris Athar, M.D., Director of the Structural Heart Team. “We are incredibly proud of our entire team and this achievement for our community. Our focus remains on delivering excellent patient outcomes and experiences, reinforcing our commitment to advanced cardiovascular care.”
In addition to TAVR, the Hoffman Heart and Vascular Institute at Saint Francis offers a variety of minimally invasive treatments for heart valve conditions and other structural heart issues. For more information about the Structural Heart Team at Trinity Health Of New England, visit TrinityHealthOfNE.org/Structural-Heart or call 860-714-1265.
About Saint Francis Hospital
Saint Francis Hospital has been an anchor institution in Connecticut since 1897. Saint Francis is a member of Trinity Health Of New England and Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. Saint Francis Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center, is a 617-bed hospital, a major teaching hospital, and the largest Catholic hospital in New England. Other Saint Francis entities include the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center, the Connecticut Joint Replacement Institute, the Hoffman Heart and Vascular Institute of Connecticut, the Smilow Cancer Hospital Yale-New Haven at Saint Francis, Trinity Health Of New England Medical Group, and Community Health and Well Being, which includes the Curtis D. Robinson Center for Health Equity, the Joan C. Dauber Food Pantry, and the Greater Hartford Family Advocacy Center. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @SaintFrancisCT