Memorial Health System’s Department of Cardiology celebrated its 100th transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure, performed by Dr. Jason Schott, interventional cardiologist, and Dr. Geoffrey R. Cousins, cardiothoracic surgeon.

TAVR is a minimally invasive treatment option for aortic valve stenosis and is an alternative to open-aortic valve replacement surgery. TAVR is a procedure in which a small cut is made in the groin area and a thin, flexible tube with a new artificial heart valve is guided through an artery in the leg up to the diseased heart valve. Once the new valve is placed into the patient’s diseased heart valve, it begins working immediately.

Patients, on average, have a one-night hospital stay and are discharged home the next day.

TAVR may be right for someone who is experiencing:

* Chest pain

* Rapid, fluttering heartbeat

* Trouble breathing or feeling short of breath

* Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, even fainting

* Difficulty walking short distances

* Swollen ankles or feet

* Difficulty lying flat or needing to sleep sitting up

* Decline in activity level or reduced ability to do normal activities

Memorial Health System introduced the TAVR program to the department in August 2022 with the addition of Schott to the Department of Cardiology team. Schott performed the first TAVR implant in the Mid-Ohio Valley in November 2022.

“TAVR is a safe and well-tolerated treatment for aortic stenosis that dramatically improves quality and length of life,” said Schott. “The recovery time is minimal, and the results are good, if not better, than surgery. The low-risk nature of the procedure enables TAVR to be performed in high-risk patients. I’m proud to be part of a health system that has been dedicated to providing all the resources and technology needed to bring advanced care locally.”

Cousins also shared his excitement on the surgical accomplishment, stating, “Advanced technology has revolutionized the treatment of severe aortic stenosis. We are excited to be the only heart surgery program in the Mid-Ohio Valley to offer a TAVR Program. This is a big deal for our patients and the local community.”

More information about Memorial Health System’s Department of Cardiology and TAVR is available at mhsytem.org/TAVR.