Via Christi St. Francis pioneers new minimally invasive heart procedure
Via Christi St. Francis Hospital
Wichita, Kan.
Photo courtesy of Via Christi St. Francis Hospital
Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita has become the first site in Kansas to perform a new procedure as part of the JOURNEY IDE clinical trial, aimed at treating severe aortic regurgitation (AR). The trial is evaluating the Edwards J-Valve Transfemoral (TF) System, a catheter-based technology designed to replace the aortic valve without the need for open-heart surgery. AR is a serious condition where the aortic valve fails to close properly, causing blood to leak backward into the heart, potentially leading to fatigue, shortness of breath and heart failure.
“Current treatment options for high-risk patients with AR are limited,” said Brett Grizzell, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon and co-medical director of the Via Christi Structural Heart Program with Bassem Chehab, M.D., interventional cardiologist. “This pioneering clinical trial offers the potential for a less invasive approach without the need to have our patients travel to other faraway centers in the nation.”
The Edwards J-Valve TF System is delivered through a catheter inserted in the groin and guided to placement in the heart, without the need for a breathing tube or heart-lung bypass machine. This approach significantly reduces recovery time and procedural risk.
“We’re extremely proud of our participation in this clinical trial,” said Kevin Strecker, CEO of Via Christi. “With this and over 50 other ongoing cardiovascular and structural heart trials globally, our cardiac team is demonstrating Via Christi’s commitment to advancing the treatment of complex heart conditions through research and innovation.”