Trans-Catheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

Clearly the most exciting new development in heart surgery and cardiology is the FDA approval of Trans-Catheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).  I discuss this procedure on my web site.  Just follow the links to The Heart > Heart Valve > Valve Surgery: Approaches > Percutaneous.  Or hit the following link:  http://www.heartlungdoc.com/heart/valves/approaches/percutaneous.html

In order to perform this procedure, we have build a brand new state-of-the-art operating room, known as a "hybrid operating room."  The word hybrid signifies that it combines the radiographic and computer equipment of a cardiac catheterization lab with the size, equipment, sterility, and safety of an operating room.  Recently WFMZ Channel 69 did a nice story about our new hybrid operating room and our launch of our TAVR program: http://www.wfmz.com/news/Hospital-unveils-operating-room-for-heart-valve-procedures/-/121458/8593668/-/qttt39z/-/index.html

For now, the TAVR procedure is going to be limited to patients who are so high risk for aortic valve surgery that they are actually deemed "inoperable" by the heart surgeons.  We have a TAVR team that is lead by Ronnie Moore, PhD, APN-BC, our Valve Center Nurse Coordinator.  Our team members include my surgical partner, Gary Szydlowski; our Cath Lab Director, Patrick Kleaveland, MD; and two additional Interventional Cardiologists, David Cox, MD, from the Lehigh Valley Heart Specialists; and, William Combs, MD, from The Heart Care Group.

We traveled to Dallas, Texas and visited Dr. Michael Mack's program at the Medical City Dallas Hospital.  Here's picture of our team in Dallas:

(From Left to Right: Dr. Cox, Dr. Szydlowski, Dr. Combs, Mrs. Moore, Dr. Singer (me), and Dr. Kleaveland)