First-in-Pennsylvania heart procedure gives new hope to York County patient
WellSpan York Hospital
Pennsylvania
Patient Ken Moritz visits with Dr. Jeremy Rier weeks after his successful procedure. Courtesy of WellSpan.
For years, Dover-area resident Ken Moritz struggled with a worsening heart condition caused by a severe mitral valve leak, which left him fatigued, dealing with ankle swelling, and unable to keep up with daily responsibilities. The complexity of his condition made Ken a less-than-ideal candidate for traditional open-heart surgery. Instead, physicians at WellSpan York Hospital offered him a new minimally invasive option: transcatheter mitral valve replacement.
In July 2026, Ken became the first patient in Pennsylvania to undergo a commercial TMVR procedure, which used a catheter inserted through a blood vessel in Ken’s leg to replace his damaged mitral valve without opening his chest. The procedure was successful, and he was discharged less than 24 hours later, calling the experience “a piece of cake.”
WellSpan York Hospital leaders say the procedure demonstrates how clinical expertise, innovative technology and modernized facilities can improve patient outcomes.