Lee Health Heart Institute Hits a TAVR Home Run: 2,000th Procedure a Milestone

In professional baseball, 2,000 hits is a significant accomplishment, considering that only 296 professional baseball players have managed to reach that milestone in their career. That’s out of more than 20,000 players since 1876, when major league baseball began.

Recently, Lee Health Heart Institute celebrated its own “2,000” milestone—the number of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures performed since 2011. That’s when the Institute’s expert team of interventional cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses began the TAVR program, earning the Institute national recognition and awards in the field of cardiovascular medicine.

Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. David Cervantes, board-certified in cardiothoracic surgery, says the achievement demonstrates Lee Health Heart Institute’s commitment to advancing cardiovascular healthcare.

“In 2011, Lee Health Heart Institute was the first program in Florida and second one nationally to perform this procedure on patients who weren’t in clinical trials,” he notes. “We remain the largest program in Southwest Florida continuing this level of excellence for our patients and the community.”

WATCH: Meet Dr. Cervantes 

Dr. Cervantes says TAVR has revolutionized the treatment of severe aortic stenosis, which occurs when calcium builds up on the aortic valve, obstructing the blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body.

“Severe aortic stenosis can lead to heart failure,” Dr. Cervantes explains. “The condition makes the heart work harder to get blood to the body. Like with any muscle, working harder makes it grow bigger. Eventually, severe aortic stenosis can compromise the blood supply to the heart, which can cause heart failure.”

WATCH HEALTH MATTERS: Dr. Cervantes discusses TAVR’s benefits

Dr. Cervantes says common symptoms of severe stenosis can include shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, decreased ability to exercise, and chest pain and pressure. 

“Fortunately, aortic stenosis is treatable with the TAVR procedure,” Dr. Cervantes says. “TAVR is minimally invasive, requiring a minor cut to the skin rather than major heart surgery. A medical team, including your cardiologist, works with a patient to determine if TAVR is the best treatment option.”

WATCH AND READ: Learn how TAVR saves lives

This was the case for John Essler, 78, a biking, swimming, and walking enthusiast. The Fort Myers resident had the TAVR procedure two years ago. John went in for his TAVR procedure on a Thursday and two days later, was already home and almost back to normal. 

“I had no pain at all,” John recalls. “My surgery was Thursday, on Friday I was released, and by Saturday I was walking and biking. I was right back to doing everything (I was doing) before the surgery. I describe it like a miracle.”

Today, John feels like his life has been extended, and continues to lead an active lifestyle.

WATCH HEALTH MATTERS: John Essler, in his own words

Dr. Cervantes says the recovery experienced by John is typical for most TAVR patients. 

To better improve his quality of life, John also participated in Lee Health’s cardiac rehabilitation program. The program develops a comprehensive plan to help heart patients recover, including medical expertise, exercise, education, and counseling. The program helped John with diet and nutrition, as well as mental health with breathing techniques for stress and increased awareness of his overall health.

“TAVR is one of the most rewarding procedures that I do,” Dr. Cervantes says. “People literally feel better the next day. I’ve had many patients say how great they feel and how they never could have imagined feeling that way.”

TAVR is considered a curative procedure. Talk with your doctor if you’re experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue. 

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