June 24, 2024
Your unwavering support fuels cutting-edge innovation and compassionate care within the Hospital’s walls. Albert McMurdie, of Winnipeg, felt that innovation and care firsthand when he made history by undergoing the first same-day transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure in Manitoba.
Understanding how TAVI changes lives
The aortic valve plays a crucial role in your heart’s function, allowing blood to flow from the heart to the rest of your body. If you have aortic valve stenosis, this can put immense strain on your heart. Traditionally, open heart valve surgery has been the standard treatment. If you are older, have other health concerns, or are too ill, open heart surgery is too risky.
For those patients, a TAVI is the best option. Interventional operators insert a new aortic valve using a long, narrow catheter. A minimally invasive surgery means a lower risk for complications, more positive outcomes, and a shorter hospital stay and recovery.
Dr. Malek Kass, Cardiologist and Medical Director of the TAVI program, celebrates the innovation happening at St. B. “The median recovery time in the Hospital is just one day, which is fantastic. St. B ranks above average across Canada,” said Dr. Kass.
Revolutionizing patient care, thanks to you
Because of your generous donations, the Cardiac Sciences team has significantly improved the efficiency of the TAVI program. Typically, patients would be admitted in the morning, undergo the procedure at some point during the day, and stay overnight for observation and recovery. However, most people want to be at home; they want to be with their loved ones and sleep in their own beds.
Recognizing that compassionate care involves listening to patients and accommodating their preferences wherever possible, St. B has introduced same-day discharges for patients who meet the criteria.
Albert McMurdie was one of these lucky patients when he arrived on the morning of September 22, 2023. For McMurdie, open heart surgery would have been too risky. After a successful TAVI and follow-up ultrasound, he was able to go home that very day. His quality of life has greatly improved, and he has nothing but positive things to say about his procedure. McMurdie was happy to step into the spotlight as a historic surgery recipient.
“The attentive care I received from the cardiac care team was outstanding. In the operating room, the efficient atmosphere spoke to the surgical team’s confidence, and relieved any anxiety I had,” said McMurdie.
Since that first same-day procedure, the team has completed a handful more same-day procedures, all with excellent outcomes. The key to success lies in carefully selecting which patients would be safe to discharge in the same day, ensuring they have appropriate support at home and close monitoring.
What’s best for Manitobans
Dr. Kass, one of the interventional cardiologists who performed McMurdie’s TAVI, emphasized how rewarding it is to be part of such a pioneering program like St. B’s Cardiac Sciences.
“We’re early adopters of same-day discharge TAVIs, and early adopters of many other approaches and technologies. We are very proud of our innovation here, and our outcomes are among the best in Canada. It’s a small, but mighty, team here, and we want to do what’s best for Manitobans,” said Dr. Kass.
Your support has not only made these advancements possible but has provided hope and healing to patients who had no other options.
“It’s great to be the first to do something, but these patients need us,” remarked Dr. Kass. “We’re a small program, and a small team, but we’re committed to helping people. That’s just a part of St. B.”
Featured photo, from left: Dr. Malek Kass, Interventional Cardiologist; Dr. David Allen, Interventional Cardiologist; Dr. Aaron Spooner, Cardiac Surgeon; Albert J. McMurdie; Dr. Ashish Shah, Interventional Cardiologist; Emily Phillips, Clinical Nurse Specialist.