The LewisGale Medical Center structural heart team surpassed its 100th case since launching the program in 2021.
Surgeons at LewisGale Medical Center perform two types of structural heart procedures, left atrial appendage closure (LAAC), which reduces stroke risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), which treats aortic stenosis. The procedures are both minimally invasive, reduce risk of complications, and require less time in the hospital than open heart surgery.
Owusu Asamoah, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist with LewisGale Physicians, performs many of the TAVR procedures and laid the groundwork for the program.
“The TAVR procedure provides less trauma to the patient with no surgical opening of the chest, which has led to tremendous outcomes for our patients,” Dr. Asamoah said. “It’s incredible to see the success patients have, with life changing results.”
B. John Hynes, MD, a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist with LewisGale Physicians – Electrophysiology, performed the first LAAC procedure at LewisGale Medical Center and also sees improvements to patient care made through these types of procedures.
“It’s been very gratifying to be on the forefront of this life-saving technology,” Dr. Hynes said. “We anticipate conducting more of these types of procedures as we provide these new services to the community and work to enhance patient outcomes.”
For additional information about LewisGale Medical Center’s Structural Heart Program, contact Heather Snyder, structural heart navigator, at 540.581.2477.
