After retirement, San found out she had a valve issue. Her first surgery was complicated by multiple strokes. With her old valve failing, she came to University Hospital for a new, advanced option.
“We found San’s condition shortly after we had retired,” said Al, San's husband. “We were getting screening studies with our cardiologist, and he realized she had a valve issue, and she was going to need surgery. We went through that entire procedure – a valve replacement that ultimately narrowed down her quality of life. She couldn’t walk on her own.”
San’s first heart valve surgery was complicated by multiple strokes. “My cardiologist knew something else was going to have to be done,” San said. “The first valve was degrading, and I wanted more time with my children, grandchildren and my husband.”
With her old valve failing, San came to University Hospital for a new, advanced option: the TAVR procedure.
“The TAVR procedure replaces the aortic valve using catheters without the need for surgery,” Dr. Ahmed Almomani said. “It gave San immediate relief from her symptoms. It’s an amazing technology that allowed a lot of patients like San who were at high risk for surgery to add years to their life and life to their years.”
San now walks for 45 minutes each day and can get on the floor to play with her grandchildren. “San’s quality of life has become so amazing, and it was so exciting to see the possibilities that opened up to her because of this TAVR procedure,” Al said.
The Heart and Vascular team at University Health can provide compassionate care and advanced options, like the TAVR procedure. For more information, please call 210-450-4888.
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