CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital - Tyler Leads Region with 350th Transcatheter Valve Replacement

Top 4% of the nation in patients reporting significantly improved quality of life

August 17, 2021

Tyler, Texas – Today, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital - Tyler completed its region-leading 350th transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR) procedure, demonstrating expertise and commitment in treating patients with life-threatening heart conditions using minimally-invasive approaches.

While performing a high-volume of TAVR procedures, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances has been able to maintain a remarkable level of excellence. In 2020, they become the first program in Texas to be accredited by the American College of Cardiology. The focus of the entire team has always remained caring for East Texans by ensuring they have access to nationally-accredited heart care, close to home.”

“We are proud to offer local, high-quality heart valve care to provide comfort and less travel time for Northeast Texas patients,” said Sheldon Freeberg, M.D., Medical Director, Structural Heart and Valve Program, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital - Tyler. “We have one of the most engaged and experienced TAVR programs in the region. We’re focused on providing world-class heart care to our patients and getting them back to living their lives as quickly and safely as possible, and becoming the first accredited program in Texas demonstrates that commitment to providing patient-centered care for our community.”

CHRISTUS Mother Frances TAVR patients have a greater-than-99-percent survival rate, and a significantly lower rate of bleeding and other complications than the U.S. average. Early mobilization protocols have been put in place, so the majority of patients walk within 6 hours of the procedure. The average length of stay is just 2 days, compared to 6 days following traditional open-heart surgery. Of the patients receiving TAVR at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, 94-percent reported significantly improved quality of life and reduction of symptoms - which falls in the top 4-percent of the nation.

Sheryl Richter underwent the TAVR procedure earlier this year and was back at work in her salon in less than 2 weeks. “I knew I had a murmur, and I thought I had to live with valve problems for my whole life,” said Richter. “The Heart Team was professional and caring, and the TAVR allowed me to feel better. TAVR gave me life back."

”By being a leader in the TAVR procedure, we are demonstrating our commitment to this community as a forward-thinking, advanced, high-quality heart care team,” said William Turner, M.D., CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic - Cardiothoracic Surgery “This procedure is a true lifesaver, providing an option for patients to improve their quality of life when their treatment options are limited.”