b'26 2021 I N N O V A T I V E T E C H N O L O G Y A N D P R O C E D U R E S | E X P E R T C A R E | W E A R E H E R E OPEN-HEART SURGERY PATIENTVirginia BlackmerWhen Virginia Blackmer ofI am young and had no other Sanbornton was diagnosed withmedical problems, so I was pretty a malfunctioning heart valve,low risk for the surgery and if I she and her treatment team atneed further work in the future, Concord Hospital Cardiovascularthe TAVR is an option, said Virginia, Institute discussed twowho was 65 when she had approaches: a newer, minimallythe procedure. invasive procedure and traditionalVirginia said her team explained open-heart surgery. there are no long-term studies After a comprehensive evaluationyet on how long TAVR valves for both procedures, the team,are eff ective in younger, healthy with Virginia as an active partner,patients, and if she had a decided on open-heart surgery tocomplication in the future, major replace her aortic valve. A buildupopen-heart surgery at an older age of calcium deposits had narrowedwould pose a higher risk. Simply put, we dont advocate the the valve, causing some fatigueIt was very much, Lets looklesser invasive approach if it is not and likely to worsen over time andat what works best for thisthe best therapy for the patient, damage her heart.situation, she said, rather thanhe said.The less invasive Transcatheteronly advocating for the newerDr. Francalancia performed the Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)approach. valve replacement in February would have been easier, withDr. Nicola Francalancia, of Concord2021, after a fi nal discussion on shorter recovery,| See story on pageHospital Cardiothoracic Surgery,Virginias preference.12 | but Virginia, a long-time nursesaid a multidisciplinary cardiac practitioner in Laconia, said she andteam discussed Virginias conditionDr. Francalancia said If you really her team decided on traditionaland options before recommendingwant to do the TAVR, we will do surgery for several reasons. open-heart surgery as the bestthat. Here are the reasons why option for her. we would do one or the other and they would have gone with whichever one I chose, she said.Virginia was pleased the surgical team updated her husband regularly during the'