WellSpan Leads the Way in Structural Heart Programs

By Barry Sparks

WellSpan cardiologists have become so adept at repairing heart defects with the latest techniques that they teach others around the country and the world.

Dr. James Harvey, an interventional cardiologist and director of WellSpan’s structural heart program, has taught at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Groups of cardiologists from Texas and India have traveled to WellSpan York Hospital to observe Harvey perform procedures.

“We have taught our techniques to physicians from more than 100 hospitals across the United States and around the world,” says Harvey.

In particular, Harvey shares his expertise in performing a transcatheter aortic valve replacement, called TAVR. WellSpan’s high volume of TAVR cases and quality outcomes has generated tremendous interest.

TAVR is one of several structural heart procedures performed at WellSpan York Hospital. Structural heart disease refers to a defect in the heart’s valves, walls, or chambers. The condition can be present at birth or develop over time. The chances of developing structural heart disease increase if you have high blood pressure or atherosclerosis, are taking certain medications, or have had a previous heart attack, rheumatic fever, endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, or certain other infections.

TAVR is a nonsurgical procedure that involves the insertion of a catheter into the patient’s leg artery. Through this catheter, a new valve is delivered to the heart through the aorta and supported by an expandable metal cage. It replaces the diseased valve with a new and normally functioning valve.

Because the procedure is minimally invasive, most patients are able to go home within one day. Patients usually feel better immediately.

“TAVR use to be reserved for patients who were too sick for surgery, but over the years we’ve found it works well for patients who also are at moderate or low risk for surgery,” says Harvey. “There’s been a paradigm shift. And technology has made the difference.”

WellSpan York Hospital has one of the busiest structural heart programs in the region, performing more than 500 procedures in 2022, including nearly 300 TAVR procedures.

“We have a comprehensive structural heart program,” says Harvey. “We can perform every cardiovascular procedure with the exception of heart transplants. We have a wellestablished and highly experienced team trained to recognize patients at risk and how to properly treat them.” WellSpan brings together the expertise of diagnostic cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiac surgeons, vascular surgeons, advanced practice clinicians, and clinical staff to treat structural heart conditions. WellSpan’s team of cardiologists treats a wide range of structural heart conditions, including: • Aortic stenosis • Atrial fibrillation Dr. James Harvery, interventional • Mitral regurgitation cardiologist at WellSpan and director of WellSpan’s structural • Mitral stenosis heart program. • Atrial or ventricular septal defect (a hole in the heart) • Failing surgical valves • Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy • Paravalvular regurgitation As part of its improvement process, WellSpan’s Heart and Vascular Service Line participates in clinical trials and conducts its own research. Clinical trials are designed to identify the newest and most effective treatment methods for cardiovascular disease. Harvey attributes much of the success of WellSpan’s structural heart program to its team approach. “In our program, all the heart and vascular physicians are located in the same building, often with offices next to each other. We interact with each other, share information, and work toward a common goal — the improved health of the patient. There’s incredible synergy,” he says. The result is a broader, multidisciplinary perspective that benefits patients. “Our care is designed around the patient,” Harvey says. “As a result, it’s a seamless experience, one that has generated a lot of positive feedback.”