Southeast Health Medical Center performed its 500^th successful Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), reinforcing its commitment to providing this region with the most comprehensive structural heart program.

Andreas Muench, MD, cardiologist, and Steven F. Johnson, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon, both of the Southeast Health Cardiovascular Institute, performed the historical procedure Thursday, November 5 in the Cath Lab at the Medical Center. The TAVR team also includes:

• Charles Eugene Mayes Jr., MD, Cardiologist
• Barry G. Crowe, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon
• Kellie Rogero, CRNP, Structural Heart Coordinator

“The TAVR procedure revolutionized the way we take care of patients with aortic valve disease,” said Dr. Johnson, who has been part of the TAVR team since it began. “It allows us to replace a highly invasive traditional open-heart surgery into a minimally invasive procedure.”

The first TAVR procedure in Dothan was successfully performed at the Medical Center in 2017.

TAVR is for patients who are at high risk for traditional valve replacement surgery. An interventional cardiologist and a cardiothoracic surgeon work together with a multidisciplinary team to perform the TAVR procedure by inserting an artificial aortic valve in the existing one that may not open properly due to stenosis, which restricts blood flow.

TAVR offers shorter recovery time, less pain, and reduced length of stay compared to open heart surgery for patients with severe aortic stenosis.

For more information about TAVR, visit southeasthealth.org or call the Southeast Health Cardiovascular Institute at 334-944-4278 (HART). The TAVR program was made possible in part by a generous donation to the Southeast Health Foundation. If you would like to support Heart & Vascular Services or for more information, contact the Foundation at 334-673-4150.