treatment options available exclusively in the Big Bend region through the Tallahassee Memorial Heart & Vascular Center. Performed by Dr. Dixon and Dr. Katopodis, TMH now offers Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) for Chronic Total Occlusions (CTO). Or simply, a minimally invasive treatment for patients with completely blocked arteries who are not candidates for bypass surgery. This specialized CTO procedure is the most complex type of angioplasty. It is performed by developing an alternative path for blood flow within the wall of the artery to keep the treatment minimally invasive. Within the region, Tallahassee Memorial is the only hospital offering this procedure. Until this treatment was available, patients with this type of blockage were placed on medication, but continued to experience chest pains, shortness of breath and difficulty being active. STRUCTURAL HEART A collaboration of interventional cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and cardiac anesthesia, the structural heart program is led by a multidisciplinary team of physician specialists who work jointly to evaluate
patients and select the best treatment options for their individual needs. From TMH Physician Partners Cardiac & Internal Medicine Specialists, Services Provided by Southern Medical Group, PA, Dr. Batchelor and Dr. Noel make up the interventional cardiology component of the team. Together, these physicians focus on offering innovative techniques and procedures for treating structural heart issues, such as replacing heart valves, for patients in the Southeast. In 2012, at the Tallahassee Memorial Heart & Vascular Center, the structural heart team performed the first Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). This is a innovative treatment option for patients in need of a new aortic valve due to aortic stenosis, but who do not qualify for open-heart surgery. Instead, the valve is replaced through a very small incision in the groin or in the anterior chest. This treatment allows physicians to replace the heart valve without opening the chest and allows for an easier and faster recovery. TMH was the first non-teaching hospital in the state of Florida to successfully perform TAVR and recently celebrated the treatment of the 100th TAVR patient — a testament to the program’s growth. Last
TOP LEFT: Dr. Thomas Noel directing the team during a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). TOP RIGHT: (From left to right) J. Galt Allee, MD, FACC; Farhat Khairallah, MD, FACC, FHRS; Gadi Silberman, MD; Wayne Batchelor, MD, MHS, FACC, FSCAI; Frank Gredler, MD, FACC; Marilyn Cox, MD, FACC; John Katopodis, MD, FACC; David Tedrick, MD, FACC; Thomas Noel, MD, FACC; William Dixon, IV, MD, FACC; David Smith, MD, FACC; Akash Ghai, MD, FACC. Not pictured: Venkata Bavikati, MD, MPH BOTTOM LEFT: Dr. John Katopodis and Dr. William Dixon performing a procedure in the catheterization lab. BOTTOM RIGHT: Dr. Wayne Batchelor and Dr. Farhat Khairallah perform the WATCHMAN procedure to help reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.
year, TMH became the second hospital in Florida to offer the MitraClip procedure for the treatment of mitral regurgitation, or “leaky valve,” in patients ineligible for open-heart surgery. Similar to TAVR, the MitraClip procedure is performed in the catheterization lab without opening the chest and allows for an easier recovery compared to traditional surgery.
To learn more about these treatment options, or to be referred to TMH Physician Partners Cardiac & Internal Medicine Specialists, Services Provided by Southern Medical Group, PA, please visit TMH.org/heart or call 850-216-0100. SPONSORED REPORT TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM July–August 2015
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