Scottsdale Healthcare is first in Arizona to perform TAVR procedure

Jan 6 2012

Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center is the first hospital in Arizona to perform a new nonsurgical heart valve replacement procedure, the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). TAVR valves are inserted via a catheter through the femoral artery, without requiring open heart surgery.

"This procedure was like winning the lottery and I feel great," said 84-year-old William Ruser. The Scottsdale resident underwent the successful TAVR procedure at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center on Dec. 22.

TAVR is significant because it does not require open chest surgery, giving hope for heart patients with inoperable aortic stenosis (failing heart valves). A catheter fed through the femoral artery is used to implant the Edwards SAPIEN Transcatheter Aortic Heart Valve, which recently received FDA approval for commercial use in the United States.

"Patients with inoperable aortic stenosis tend to be older and sicker, often with multiple additional health issues complicating their condition," explained Peggy Morehouse, RN, director of Heart and Vascular Services at Scottsdale Healthcare.

"The TAVR procedure gives hope for extending the lives of these patients with improved quality of life." 

New procedures such as TAVR are possible at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center, thanks to the recent opening of its new Hybrid Operating Room.

"The Hybrid OR integrates multiple technologies that allow procedures like the just-approved TAVR nonsurgical heart valve replacement," said Gary Baker, senior VP and administrator at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn.

The state-of-the-art, 800-sq. ft. Hybrid OR combines the latest surgical, cardiac catheterization and 3-D radiologic imaging technologies with real-time patient monitoring to allow the most complicated procedures without moving the patient for specialized procedures.

The patient stays in place with the interventional cardiologist, electrophysiologist or interventional radiologist and heart and vascular surgeon all working side by side.

A multidisciplinary team of interventional cardiologists, radiologists and surgeons evaluates each patient for eligibility for the TAVR procedure and all are present in the Hybrid OR, according to Robert Riley, MD, medical director for cardiovascular surgery.

"Having everything in one room saves valuable time and eliminates the need to transport a patient from one room to another," said interventional cardiologist Maulik Shah, MD. "This could make a big difference in many cases and may ultimately even save lives."