When It Comes to the Heart, We Don’t Miss a Beat
April 04, 2012
Thanks to our world-class facility, many patients are living longer, happier and healthier lives.
Our physicians are at the forefront of cardiovascular technology, leading medical breakthroughs through research and innovations in beating-heart aortic valve replacement surgery, world-class heart transplant program and a state-of-the-art vascular lab.
- Cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists at JFK Medical Center will be among the first in the United States to perform a beating heart valve replacement surgery without opening the patient's chest. Because of our experience in valvular heart disease, JFK Medical Center will be the ONLY site in Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast to perform the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure (TAVR).
- JFK’s Cardiac Program has been recognized nationally and continues to be one of the most active programs in the region. And no other area hospital features a more comprehensive cardiac catheterization lab treatment center or Electrophysiology Lab. All administrative and clinical procedures are performed in one location, making the procedure easier on the patient and more efficient for the physician.
We are a team of specialists with one top priority: our patients.
The vascular team at JFK offers a truly multidisciplinary approach to vascular care. Our specialists work together to meet all of our patients' needs for peripheral vascular disease, endovascular services, diabetes management, wound care and stroke prevention on one campus. A panel of board-certified vascular/thoracic surgeons, interventional cardiologists, interventional radiologists and specially trained nurses form our vascular team provide comprehensive care.
We collaborate to diagnose each patient’s condition and determine the most effective treatment for that individual. By working together, our entire vascular team provides the best possible care in one convenient place.
We offer comprehensive care from a collaborative approach.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
For those who cannot endure an open-heart surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacements have become a life-saving procedure for treating aortic stenosis. Although other nonsurgical treatments have been available for some time, the transcatheter aortic valve replacement is a new method that marks the first noninvasive approach to aortic stenosis that offers long-term results.
Aortic Stenosis
Aortic stenosis occurs when the aorta, the main artery pumping blood from the heart, narrows or stops opening fully. This will initially cause a decrease in blood flow, chest pain, weakness, or fainting. Aortic stenosis left untreated can eventually result in further complications and fatalities. Around 30 percent of patients with this condition are ineligible for surgery, because of either ill health or old age. In these cases, noninvasive solutions are vital.
How It Works
During a transcatheter aortic valve replacement, the doctor will run a catheter into the patient’s groin, moving it up the femoral artery toward the heart, eventually reaching the aortic valve. A balloon will inflate, opening the narrow valve, and a healthy cow’s heart valve will be implanted.
What to Expect
Although patients will need to remain in the hospital for a couple days following the replacement, the actual procedure typically takes less than an hour to complete. Compared to a lengthy heart surgery, and a recovery that spans several months, the transcatheter aortic valve replacement demands a much smaller interruption of life activities.
Benefits and Risks
The crucial time window following a transcatheter aortic valve replacement is 30 days. During this time, patients have a higher risk of strokes and vascular disorders. Bleeding problems could also be a concern, but these instances occur more frequently with those who have undergone traditional heart surgery. Despite the risks, the development of this noninvasive valve replacement has dramatically improved the survival chances of those with aortic stenosis. So far, recovery rates have matched those of traditional surgery, while dramatically surpassing other noninvasive procedures.
For more information about this revolutionary procedure, please contact us at 800.616.1927
Sources:
Businessweek
The Journal of Invasive Cardiology
Columbia University