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New Aortic Valve Treatment Shows Promise

 

A new study featured in this month's New England Journal of Medicine finds that some people suffering from a life-threatening heart condition known as severe aortic stenosis could benefit from an experimental treatment that avoids open-heart surgery to replace the aortic valve.   

Beaumont Hospital cardiologist, Dr. George Hanzel, says this procedure saves lives. 

"It's been a long haul, but hopefully we will have this valve available for clinical use within the next 12-to-18 months.  In the meantime, there are going to be clinical trials ongoing that patients can enroll in to potentially afford some benefit from this less-invasive therapy," Hanzel said. 

The study is referred to as the PARTNER trial, which compared results between transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and typical medical therapy in patients deemed too sick for valve replacement surgery. 

Beaumont Hospital will be involved in the next phase of the study.  For those interested in taking part in the study, call Dr. Hanzel at 248-898-5000. 

Click here for the New England Journal of Medicine article. 

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