CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital Celebrates 500th Successful TAVR Procedure

January 23, 2023

Tyler, Texas – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital announced today the successful completion of 500 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures, a surgical option for patients suffering from aortic valve stenosis, a heart valve disease that affects more than 1.5 million Americans each year.

The procedure uses a replacement valve attached to a catheter, which is inserted into the body through an artery, usually the groin area. It is then expanded and inserted where the old valve has malfunctioned.

“Recovery time for patients is far less than traditional open-heart surgery,” said cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. William F. Turner, Jr. “This procedure is truly a lifesaver, providing an option for patients to improve their quality of life with their treatments are truly limited.”

Patients are in the hospital usually 1-2 days and can resume most normal activities within a few days.

“We have one of the most engaged and experienced TAVR programs in the region,” said Dr. Kyle J. Smith, structural interventional cardiologist. “Every patient has a unique set of circumstances, and we work together to provide the best approach for them, including the TAVR option.”

The Heart Hospital’s first successful TAVR procedure was done in 2016.

In 2020, they became the first structural heart program in Texas to be accredited by the American College of Cardiology.

“Becoming the first accredited program in Texas demonstrates our commitment to providing the best patient-centered care for our community,” said Dr. Sheldon Freeberg, medical director, structural heart program. “We are proud to offer local, high-quality heart valve care to provide comfort and less travel time for northeast Texas patients.”

Valve program coordinator Natalie Kelley added that the expected duration of a new valve is 10-15 years, and the operation takes a little over an hour.

“I am so thankful for our incredibly talented heart team, and for the opportunity to treat so many patients in our community and surrounding areas.”