St. Joseph’s Performs First Procedure Today for Investigational Heart Valve in Low-risk Aortic Stenosis Patients

Syracuse, NY (August 12, 2016) – Dr. Ayman Iskander, an Interventional Cardiologist with SJH Cardiology Associates, will perform the first heart procedure in Central New York today as part of a nationwide study that started just a few months ago.

This procedure is part of the nationwide Medtronic clinical trial for expanding the use of the CoreValve® Evolut® R System in low-risk aortic stenosis patients. The Evolut R System is the first and only next-generation recapturable, self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system commercially available in the United States for patients who are at a high or extreme risk for surgery. Medtronic is a global leader in medical technology – alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. And St. Joseph’s is the only hospital in Central New York participating in this study.

*Media Note: Both Dr. Iskander and the patient will be available for interviews as early as this afternoon.

Please contact Adam Herringshaw to request an interview.*

This procedure is for low-risk patients who require surgery for the treatment of Aortic Stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve opening. This system is designed to be minimally invasive while improving the re-sealing following the procedure, and improving blood flow and performance at the same time.

“This is an FDA-approved procedure that has previously been limited only to high- and extreme-risk patients, but we are now able to start expanding it to mid- and low-risk patients,” said Dr. Ayman S. Iskander, MD, FSCAI, FAAC, FACC. “It is a landmark trial that will be critical in changing the landscape of medical practice. And it is so impressive because these patients are often up and walking around a few hours after the procedure, as opposed to needing to stay in the ICU for several days.”

The valve is delivered through a new catheter delivery system, which is the smallest in the market (less than 1/5 inch). This low profile enables treatment of patients with vessels down to 5mm through the preferred transfemoral access route, and may minimize the risk of major vascular complications in some patients. The trial has a 2-year endpoint and allows for a one-year analysis for early FDA submission.

(Images from Medtronic)

Dr. Iskander was also one of the first surgeons, along with St. Joseph’s Dr. Ronald P. Caputo, to perform the first MitraClip cases in Central New York back in 2015.

Since performing the first open heart surgery in 1958, and as the third center in the United States to perform angioplasty, St. Joseph's has continued to lead the way in the prevention, detection and treatment of heart disease. St. Joseph’s cardiac care is recognized by U.S. News & World Report, HealthGrades, Excellus, the Society of Chest Pain Centers, and the Society for Thoracic Surgeons; and is a regional Structural Heart Disease Center of Excellence. It is also ranked among Top in the Nation for Heart Surgery by Consumer Reports and has received a Five Star rating for Valve Replacement Surgery, among many other awards and designations.

About St. Joseph’s Health

St. Joseph’s Health is a non-profit regional health care system based in Syracuse, N.Y., providing services to patients throughout Central New York and northern Pennsylvania. From primary to specialty to home care, to our Magnet-recognized hospital, and in collaboration with our community partners, St. Joseph's Health is advancing the health of the communities we serve through an expanding range of healthcare services to ensure our patients achieve optimum long-term health. Ranked by Consumer Reports among the top 15 heart surgery centers in the country, U.S. News “Best Regional Hospital” and a 15-time winner of the National Research Corporation Consumer Choice award, St. Joseph’s is widely recognized for quality, value and delivering the highest patient satisfaction. St. Joseph’s Health is affiliated with Franciscan Companies and St. Joseph’s Physicians and is a part of Trinity Health.

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