NEW LIFE AT 87

Sanford Offers Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Procedure

Alice Braniff recognized something was wrong while golfing. Ordinarily she walked the course and her golf clubs rode the cart. But last summer, she wanted to ride.

“All of a sudden I didn’t have pep like I used to,” said the 87-year-old from Fargo.

Mystery solved

Tests at Sanford Heart Center led to answers. Braniff had aortic stenosis (AS) — narrowing or closing of an aortic valve.

Affecting up to 1.5 million people in the United States, AS is often caused by the gradual buildup of calcification over many years. Severe AS with symptoms typically occurs in patients older than 75.

“ Imagine how hard my heart had to work to push that blood through,” said Braniff. “It’s no wonder I didn’t have much energy left for anything else.”

Open h eart s urgery a t 8 7?

T he traditional approach to an ailing heart valve involves open heart surgery to replace it. But often those with severe AS are unable to undergo such an extensive procedure due to advanced age and several medical conditions. That was true for Braniff.

“ But then Dr. Haldis told me about something else that could help,” she said. “It was mystifying, but I kept listening. The more you listen, the more you learn.”

Dr. Thomas Haldis, Sanford interventional cardiologist, explained a new heart valve replacement procedure -- no open heart surgery needed.

Sanford is one of approximately 100 heart programs in the country qualified to perform the procedure — and the only one in North and South Dakota.

Groundbreaking technology, advanced expertise Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) involves threading a catheter — a long, flexible tube — through the leg and up to the heart. The catheter contains a collapsible heart valve that replaces the ailing valve.

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the minimally invasive procedure offers hope and more years of quality life. Research shows that without valve replacement, people with severe AS often don’t survive more than two years.

Braniff was well aware the technology was new, but didn’t fear it. She weighed her risks and moved forward, recognizing Sanford had three key factors:

• Sanford’s multi-disciplinary team required to safely perform TAVR includes Cardiothoracic surgeons Roxanne Newman, MD and Cornelius Dyke, MD, and Interventional Cardiologists Thomas Haldis, DO and JoEllen Kohlman-Petrick, MD

• Comprehensive training specific to the complex procedure

• A top-notch cardiac catheterization lab staffed by skilled, experienced professionals

“I trusted Dr. Haldis and his team,” she said.

Pep returns!

Braniff underwent TAVR on August 24, becoming the fifth patient in Fargo to benefit from the procedure.

“I felt the difference right away,” she said. “So much more energy and a better appetite, too.”

After four days in the hospital, she was back home in her senior-living apartment with Donald, her husband of 56 years.

Bright-eyed and lively, Braniff now participates in twice-a-week exercise at Sanford Outpatient Cardiac Rehab. She also plans to work one-on-one with a physical therapist for added strengthening and conditioning.

“To be able to walk around and feel good — absolutely that’s a great thing,” she said.

“It’s a different world when you have your pep back!” [AWM]