Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center celebrates its 5,000th TAVR procedure
Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center and its team of world-renowned heart experts recently reached a historic milestone at the forefront of cardiac care.
In May, Aurora St. Luke's completed its 5,000th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), ranking fourth among all TAVR implanting sites in the United States.
TAVR is a less invasive life-saving procedure for patients with aortic valve disease. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 5 million Americans are diagnosed with valvular heart disease each year. Left untreated or improperly managed, valve disease makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood and can eventually lead to heart failure.
This condition often develops as a result of calcium buildup as a person ages. Symptoms of valve disease can include chest pain, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath and lightheadedness.
Developed as an alternative to open heart surgery, TAVR is done through a small incision in either the groin or chest and guide a catheter through blood vessels until they reach the damaged aortic valve. A new valve is inserted into the diseased valve. Once in place, the replacement valve expands to its full size and takes over the diseased valve's job of regulating blood flow.
Compared to open heart surgery, TAVR carries a lower risk of complications and offers a much faster recovery time. Patients who undergo TAVR are released from the hospital within one to three days and can typically resume normal activity two weeks after the procedure.
'I'm proud of our innovative, highly specialized cardiologists who deliver excellent care, time and time again,' said Jennifer Schomburg, president of Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center and Southeast Wisconsin Area. 'From the first TAVR procedure to the 5,000th, our team has leveraged their knowledge and expertise to help patients regain their heart's function, their energy and the lives they love.'
'We've continued to grow and develop the TAVR program for more than 15 years,' said Dr. Tanvir Bajwa, director of interventional cardiology and co-director of the valve clinic at Aurora St. Luke's. 'While we're honored to mark this tremendous milestone, we're eager to find more ways to improve lives and restore hearts of those in our community.'
Aurora St. Luke's was heavily involved in leading the clinical trials that led to TAVR's FDA approval. Today, the minimally invasive procedure is performed throughout the world, with Aurora St. Luke's operating the largest and most experienced TAVR program in Wisconsin.
The heart of Aurora Health Care's cardiovascular program, Aurora St. Luke's is consistently ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Home to groundbreaking clinical trials, cardiovascular research and innovative, effective, state-of-the-art care, it is the only hospital in the state equipped with a 24/7 on-site heart-care team committed to providing the highest standards of quality and care.
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