July 15, 2024
Thanks to Foundation donors, St. Boniface Hospital is renowned for its innovative and courageous approach to patient care. Physicians, researchers, and caregivers are pushing the boundaries of science every day, striving for the best possible care for Manitobans.
St. B has blazed a new trail in cardiac care by being the first centre in North America to offer the MyVal, an artificial aortic valve. This groundbreaking new device provides hope for patients who previously had no surgical options by offering a wider range of valve sizes.
Bridging a gap in care
When a patient has aortic stenosis, their heart valve narrows and can severely restrict blood flow, leading to heart failure. In Canada, there are currently three approved types of replacement valves, which help the majority of patients within a certain anatomical size range. However, there are patients who fall outside of this range, leaving some Manitobans with limited or no treatment options.
Recognizing this critical gap, St. Boniface Hospital’s Cardiac Sciences team has been exploring new and accessible treatment options. Their dedication to education, care, and innovation has led them to getting the first approved MyVal device in North America – a huge win, and a huge step in addressing inequity in health care.
In December of 2023, St. B successfully performed the first MyVal replacement procedure on a patient who needed a larger valve than what was previously available.
“This patient wasn’t a surgical candidate, and many surgeons had turned him down. He had severe valve stenosis and needed something done because of recurrent breathlessness,” recounted Dr. Malek Kass, Cardiologist and Medical Director of the TAVI program at St. Boniface Hospital. “It worked out really, really well. We’re so proud to be trailblazers for this, and for so many other initiatives.”
This set a new standard for cardiac care, demonstrating the Hospital’s ability to deliver leading-edge treatments.
“For a small program, I think we’ve done pretty well for ourselves and Manitobans,” said Dr. Kass, with a smile.
A leader in care and innovation
The introduction of the MyVal has not only provided treatment for patients with severe valve stenosis but has positioned St. Boniface Hospital as a pioneer in future cardiac care. The success of this inaugural procedure shows the Hospital’s commitment to pursuing new paths to provide the best care to Manitobans in need. No one should be left without hope.
As St. B continues to lead the way in breakthrough cardiac care and address inequities, the introduction of the MyVal device is momentous. This innovative solution will not only transform lives of individual patients but will set a new standard in the medical community, showing what’s possible through courageous pursuit and compassionate care.
Featured image caption: An example of an artificial valve that Interventional Operators implant.