Straub Benioff Heart Team Completes Milestone TAVR Procedure

The Structural Cardiology team at Straub Benioff Medical Center celebrated a remarkable milestone the week of July 22, 2024, as they performed their 1,000th transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Also known as TAVR, this minimally invasive procedure is used to treat aortic stenosis, one of the most common and serious valve disease problems.

Characterized by the narrowing of the heart's aortic valve, this condition restricts blood flow to the heart and can cause debilitating symptoms.

If left untreated, it can lead to heart failure or even death.

The TAVR procedure has been a transformational advancement in heart care. Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, TAVR allows patients to receive a new valve with a significantly shorter recovery time, greatly enhancing patients' quality of life.

Traditionally, valve replacements required open heart surgery, meaning some older patients would not qualify as good candidates. TAVR allows doctors to insert a manmade valve through smaller incisions. The natural flow of blood moves it into place, where it can regulate blood flow.

This minimally invasive approach offers patients a safer alternative with a quicker return to their regular activities.

Straub physicians performed their first TAVR procedure in the Straub Benioff Medical Center Clarence T.C. Ching Heart Center in 2018. In the beginning, the collaborative cardiovascular team completed two a week. Soon, they were able to perform five to six weekly in the center's renovated cardiovascular catheterization labs.

In 2021, Straub Benioff's Heart Center teams completed their 500th TAVR procedure.

In July 2024, they marked another landmark achievement as Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Rayji Tsutsui performed the 1,000th procedure.

Together with Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Jared Oyama, who performed the first TAVR at Straub Benioff in 2018, and the Straub Benioff Heart Center team, this lifesaving treatment is available for patients in Hawaii to help them lead healthier, longer lives.

Published on: July 29, 2024