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What advanced technology or procedure are you using? We are excited to introduce and offer the new, revolutionary procedure known as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to Middle Georgia. Who benefits the most from this? The procedure provides a less invasive way of replacing a stenotic (blocked) aortic valve, one of the four heart valves, in patients who are thought to be inoperable or high risk candidates for conventional open heart surgery. Each year roughly 300,000 people are diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis. Only 70,000 of these people receive an open valve replacement. Another 130,000 are potential candidates but never receive surgery. Undoubtedly some of these people are felt to be at high risk for a surgical valve replacement. The other 100,000 people are considered inoperable. The ability to offer TAVR to those untreated will have a tremendous impact on the survival and quality of life in a large group of people. What does the public need to understand about this? Left untreated, severe aortic stenosis is a fatal condition. At 2 years only 50 percent of untreated patients will survive. By 5 years, survival drops to 20 percent. How is this procedure performed? The procedure is performed in a lab that is large enough and equipped to transform into an operating room suite for an open procedure if needed. Whenever possible, the procedure is done through the femoral artery in the groin in a manner similar to a heart catheterization. The tube or sheath used to deliver the valve to the heart, however, is much bigger than a standard heart catheter and may not fit through the femoral artery. In those cases a variety of other access points are considered, and the safest way to deliver the valve to the heart is selected. Is it covered by insurance or Medicare? Yes. Where can we find out more information? Call the Center for Structural Heart Disease at the Medical Center of Central Georgia 855-366-4442. 777 Hemlock Street | Macon, GA 31201 | (855) 366-4442 THE GEORGIA HEART CENTER Center for Structural Heart Disease e Medical Center of Central Georgia S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N 58 l MACON MAGAZINE DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013 h e a lt h y I N N O V A T I O N S