Bronson Celebrates 13 Years of Life-changing Heart Valve Procedures
Restoring heart health and quality of life—without open-heart surgery
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The heart team at Bronson Methodist Hospital and Bronson Advanced Cardiac Healthcare is celebrating 13 years of performing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), a minimally invasive procedure that has given hundreds of southwest Michigan residents a second chance at life. Since launching the program in 2012, Bronson’s heart care team has completed more than 840 successful TAVR procedures, achieving an impressive 98 percent success rate.
TAVR has transformed the treatment of severe aortic stenosis – a condition where narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve restricts blood flow, often causing fatigue, chest pain and potentially leading to heart failure. Without timely treatment, nearly half of those affected may not survive beyond two years.
“For many patients, open-heart surgery simply isn’t an option,” says Dr. Thomas Keller, interventional cardiologist at Bronson Advanced Cardiac Healthcare. “TAVR allows us to replace the valve through a small incision, often while the heart continues to beat. Patients are up and walking within a day or two. It’s truly remarkable to see how quickly they regain their energy and quality of life.”
One of those patients, Judy Covey of Bangor, is grateful to have had access to the procedure close to home. “I was nervous at first, but my care team explained every step and made me feel completely confident,” she recalls. “I went home just a few days later. Before the surgery, I couldn’t even walk to my mailbox. Now, not only do I get my mail, but I am working out twice a week, too.”
Dr. Parth Amin, cardiothoracic surgeon at Bronson, credits the program’s success to collaboration. “Every TAVR procedure brings together a highly skilled team of cardiologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses. We take pride in offering advanced care right here in Kalamazoo, so patients don’t have to travel far for life-saving treatment.”
Bronson’s TAVR team includes interventional cardiologists Thomas Keller, Jr., MD and Christopher Rogers, DO; cardiothoracic surgeon Parth Amin, MD; anesthesiologists Heather Dobbs, MD, Patrick Sandell, MD, and Gregory D. Schrock, MD; and program coordinator Amy Cook, RN.
“Thirteen years in, we continue to see incredible outcomes and inspiring stories of recovery,” says Dr. Keller. “Our goal is to keep advancing cardiac care so our patients can live longer, healthier lives.”
To learn more about TAVR or other heart valve treatments, call Bronson Advanced Cardiac Healthcare at (269) 373-1222, or visit bronsonhealth.com/heart.
Photo Cutline: Bronson Advanced Cardiac Healthcare’s program coordinator, Amy Cook, RN, and interventional cardiologists, Thomas Keller, Jr., MD, celebrate 13 years of TAVR procedures at Bronson.
