SHARON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER LAUNCHES LESS INVASIVE CARDIAC PROCEDURE, EXPANDING ACCESS TO ADVANCED CARE

The TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) procedure marks Beginning of Sharon Regional’s Structural Heart Program

Sharon, PA – Late last month, Sharon Regional Medical Center – a Steward family hospital – completed its first successful TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) procedure. The successful procedure marks the start of the community’s expanded access to cutting edge, advanced cardiac care.

TAVR is an innovative technique for cardiac patients who may be high-risk or too sick for traditional open-heart surgery. The procedure uses a catheter to replace a failing heart valve, making it much less invasive than traditional open-heart operations.

“By making investments in new technologies like TAVR, Sharon Regional Medical Center is continuing to elevate the standard of care for our community and provide a first-class patient experience,” said Dr. David Shellenbarger, Chief Medical Officer at Sharon Regional. “This builds on Steward’s offering of TAVR in other states and will revolutionize patients’ access to advanced cardiac care in the region.”

Chinedu Angela E. Igwe, M.D., MPH, a structural heart trained Interventional Cardiologist at Sharon Regional performed the first TAVR procedures at the hospital on June 28, 2021. Sharon Regional uses the Edwards SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter heart valve to treat high-risk and intermediate-risk patients with aortic stenosis (AS), one of the most common heart valve diseases. Although aortic stenosis – a potentially life-threatening condition without treatment – impacts more than 2.5 million Americans over the age of 75 annually, many patients refuse or are denied open-heart surgery, the traditional treatment for aortic stenosis.

“TAVR will save lives and provide another option for patients, who may not qualify for open-heart surgery,” said Bob Rogalski, President of Sharon Regional Medical Center. “We are proud to be able to bring this transformative and much-needed procedure to the region.”

Sharon Regional Medical Center is part of the Steward Health Care Network, the nation’s largest private, physician-owned and led hospital system, which leverages technology, innovation, and care coordination to provide safe and high-quality care in patients’ communities.