Rochester Regional Health Celebrates Milestone 2,000th TAVR Procedure

Rochester Regional Health is delighted to announce a milestone achieved by its structural heart team at the Sands-Constellation Heart Institute.

The structural heart team recently completed its 2,000^th TAVR procedure – a significant accomplishment that places Rochester Regional Health among the top 5 percent of hospital systems in the nation when it comes to overall TAVR patient volume.

TAVR, or transcatheter aortic valve replacement, is most often used to treat aortic stenosis, a valve problem that affects more than 2.5 million people in the U.S. over the age of 70.

The TAVR procedure

TAVR is a minimally invasive heart procedure that uses a catheter to replace a diseased aortic valve. The procedure helps to improve blood flow to the heart and often alleviates symptoms such as:

• decreased energy
• shortness of breath
• chest discomfort
• lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting

A patient’s heart team will take several factors into consideration in determining whether the TAVR procedure is the right approach. An evaluation involves a CT scan, electrocardiogram, a frailty test, and potential additional testing. Anyone can schedule an evaluation by calling the Center for Advanced Valvular and Structural Heart Disease.

The TAVR procedure itself takes 45-60 minutes to perform. Some patients who undergo this procedure are able to go home on the same day.

Looking forward

Since the first TAVR procedure was performed at Rochester General Hospital in 2015, the Structural Heart Program at Rochester Regional Health has become nationally recognized. The American College of Cardiology designated Rochester General Hospital as a Center of Excellence for structural heart procedures and is one of the few hospitals in the U.S. that performs transcatheter electrosurgery routinely.

At the inaugural Transcatheter Electrosurgery Summit this year, approximately 30 experienced interventional cardiologists from around the world were invited to share their insights and best practices on this emerging field. Jeremiah Depta, MD, MPHS, an interventional cardiologist and Director of the Structural Heart Program with Rochester Regional Health, was the only doctor in upstate New York in attendance.

“These accomplishments reflect an amazing and collaborative team,” Dr. Depta said. “We have been at the forefront of structural heart advances, leading the way in innovative procedures and safety protocols including same-day discharge. I am so honored to be part of the team and really proud of what we have accomplished together.”