Dr. R. Allen Ligon and Thaddeus: Memorial Cardiac & Vascular Institute Replacing Heart Valves Without Open-Heart Surgery
Memorial Cardiac & Vascular Institute is performing minimally invasive procedures that delivers life-changing results: Replacing heart valves without open heart surgery.
By the age of 12, Thaddeus Holmes had already endured four open-heart surgeries to address issues related to congenital heart disease. Holmes trusted his care to the Memorial Cardiac & Vascular Institute (MCVI) after learning the pulmonary valve pediatric surgeons had repaired more than two decades ago was now blocking the flow of blood and leaking, leading to shortness of breath and chronic fatigue. Finding out the valve could be replaced, using catheter-based technology and a minimally-invasive approach that in the past would have required open-heart surgery, was just the news Thaddeus needed to hear. “Knowing I’d only be hospitalized for a day and would recover quickly at home put me in a good head space. It was a huge relief knowing I wouldn’t have to give up the things I loved to do.” Listen to Thaddeus’ story here.