Dixie Regional Medical Center surgeons performing unique heart valve replacement procedure


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ST. GEORGE — Repairing a heart valve may not require open heart surgery for some residents in southern Utah.

The unique procedure is called transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR procedure for short. Just weeks ago, Intermountain's Dixie Regional Medial Center doctors began performing the procedure.

Mark Jamison, a baseball-loving 62-year-old, feared he wouldn't be around much longer with his family after being diagnosed with aortic stenosis.

"I started losing my breath walking fast or lifting something," Jamison said. "I'm like, 'What's going on? I was always athletic my whole life.'"

Jamison's condition was very serious. "They heard it and said it was real loud. In fact, he (doctor) said, 'I can hear it from here.' He was across the room," Jamison said.

They considered open heart surgery, but Jamison is diabetic and had trouble healing wounds. After a lot of paperwork, doctors approved Jamison for the first TAVR procedure at Intermountain Dixie Regional Medical Center.

"It's surprising how many patients have been sitting at home waiting for the advent of the procedure here in St. George," said Intermountain cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Jason Bowles. "While they could travel to Salt Lake City, a lot of people prefer not to."

Bowles and Intermountain cardiologist Dr. Blake Gardner traveled to Salt Lake City to receive training from other heart surgeons at Intermountain Heart Institute.

Normally, only hospitals in larger cities or academic centers perform this type of procedure. Due to St. George's growing population, Dixie Regional Medical Center administrators and surgeons knew patients would appreciate not having to travel to another facility.


Amazing thing about this is the results are immediate. You'll see changes like that, and all of a sudden the heart is getting relief in ways that it hasn't had in maybe years, which is quite an impressive thing.

–Dr. Blake Gardner


Gardner explained the surgery. "We put up a catheter through their femoral artery down in their groin all the way to their heart," he said.

During the hour-long procedure, a team of doctors relies completely on cardiac imaging. Doctors use a catheter to navigate the new valve to the heart. Then the surgeons expand the valve into place. The new valve takes over the job of regulating blood flow immediately.

"Amazing thing about this is the results are immediate," Gardner said. "You'll see changes like that, and all of a sudden the heart is getting relief in ways that it hasn't had in maybe years, which is quite an impressive thing."

Mark Jamison, a baseball-loving 62-year-old, feared he wouldn't be around much longer with his family after being diagnosed with aortic stenosis. (Family photo)
Mark Jamison, a baseball-loving 62-year-old, feared he wouldn't be around much longer with his family after being diagnosed with aortic stenosis. (Family photo)

This minimally invasive surgery gets patients back on their feet and gives them back a normal life expectancy.

In Jamison's case, he got back to work. After surgery on a Thursday, he was out of the hospital two days later and lifting luggage while working his regular skycap shift the following week.

He is grateful his rock star doctors, as he calls them, have given him more time with his family.

"I'll live longer," a tearful Jamison said.

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Erin Goff

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