Brent Hannah, Executive Director of the Heart Lung Vascular Institute, said it’s an honor to be a part of stories like Sharon’s. “Offering advanced procedures like Watchman and TAVR helps us live up to our mission to serve our community. We know it is important to stay on the forefront so patients aren’t forced to travel outside our region for the latest advancements in care,” he said. Now, Sharon says that the impact of these state-of-the-art treatments has made a positive impact on her life. Although her symptoms weren’t severe, she’s comfortable, has more stamina and is confident that her heart is as good as it can be.
She said, “Without these treatments, I know my life would be restricted or over by now.”
Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include: chest pain, heart racing, shortness of breath, fatigue and light-headedness. If you or someone you love is experiencing these symptoms, please encourage them to call 911, make an appointment with their doctor today or call University Cardiology at 865-544-2800.
Mitral Regurgitation Procedures Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a condition where blood flows backward into the heart due to either a problem with the mitral valve itself, called primary MR, or due to a weak and enlarged heart, called functional MR. We offer minimally invasive treatment alternatives, Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (TMVR), or Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER), to open-heart surgery for patients with severe MR. This involves the placement of one or more clips on the mitral valve to improve its function. In carefully selected patients with functional MR, this therapy has been shown to lower the risk of hospitalization for heart failure and improve survival. MEET THE MITRACLIP ™
Does It Require Hospitalization? Typically, one night in the hospital is all that is required after the procedure.
A highlight of our program is the multidisciplinary evaluation of patients with functional MR in collaboration with our heart failure clinic staffed by heart failure specialists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and nurses. This collaboration ensures that we maximize the benefits of optimal medi- cal therapy prior to considering the clip procedure. After the procedure, patients have an immediate reduction of leaks and experience improvement in their shortness of breath and fatigue. The goal is to facilitate successful repair of the mitral valve, optimal recovery, and quick return to usual activity for the patient.
12 | HLVI Annual Report
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