TAVR program surpasses milestone at Marian Regional Medical Center

Marian Regional Medical Center structural heart team performs 100th TAVR procedure

The team at Marian Regional Medical Center’s Heart Catheterization Lab successfully completed its 100th TAVR procedure in September.

The milestone was a swift one for the structural heart team as the TAVR procedure was introduced at the hospital in 2023. 

Mansoor Arain, MD, FACC, FSCAI, the Director of Complex Percutaneous Coronary Interventions and Structural Heart/Valve Disease, performed the 100th TAVR at Marian. Dr. Arain also performed the first TAVR procedures at the hospital. 

"Reaching 100 successful TAVR procedures at Marian Regional Medical Center is a testament to the dedication of our team and the life-changing impact this technology has on our patients,” Dr. Arain says. “It's a privilege to be a part of this journey, offering hope and a new lease on life to those who need it most."

TAVR, or transcatheter aortic valve replacement, is a minimally-invasive procedure to replace the aortic valve in patients with severe aortic stenosis, or thickening of the valve. The procedure does not require open-heart surgery, reducing recovery time.

"Reaching 100 successful TAVR procedures is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our entire team,” says Jessica Bower, the Senior Director of Perioperative and Cardiovascular Services. “It's not just a number, it represents 100 lives touched, 100 families given hope, and 100 victories against heart disease. We are incredibly proud of this milestone and remain committed to providing the highest quality care to our patients."

Prior to the FDA’s approval of TAVR, the only way to replace the aortic valve was through open heart surgery. Before TAVR’s approval, patients with narrowed aortic valves who did not wish to undergo surgery or were considered to be at high risk for surgery had limited options.

TAVR uses a catheter to deliver a collapsible replacement valve to the site of the narrowed valve through a roughly quarter-inch incision in the groin. When the new valve has been expanded, it pushes the old valve leaflets out of the way and takes over regulating blood flow. 

Marian Regional Medical Center's Sue J. Sword Heart Center brings advanced technology together with a team of heart care professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of heart conditions to deliver quality care for the Central Coast community. 

Learn more about TAVR and the cardiovascular services at Marian Regional Medical Center. 

For more information about Dr. Arain and Stratford Health Center, a part of Pacific Central Coast Health Centers, click here.