CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi – Shoreline recognizes 500th TAVR procedure

CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi – Shoreline announced today the successful completion of 500 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures, a surgical option for patients with aortic valve stenosis, a heart valve disease affecting 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 with traditional open-heart surgery,” said Dr. John Douglas Pappas, cardiologist with CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi - Shoreline. “This TAVR procedure provides an option to patients to improve their quality of life.”

Patients undergoing TAVR are in the hospital for about one to two days and resume more normal activities within a few days.

“We have been doing these procedures in the Coastal Bend community for 10 years,” said Pappas. “To think we’ve now reached 500 successful cases is remarkable. I am honored to be able to provide this life-changing procedure to our patients.”

CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi – Shoreline is accredited by the American College of Cardiology.

“Celebrating this incredible milestone demonstrates our commitment to providing the best patient-centered care for our community,” said Dominic Dominguez, chief executive officer of CHRISTUS Spohn Health System. “We’re proud to offer local, high-quality heart valve care to provide comfort and less travel time for our Coastal Bend patients. I’m thankful for our incredibly talented team, and for the opportunity to fulfill our mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.”