Florence — McLeod Regional Medical Center (MRMC) has been recognized amongst the Top 5% in the Nation for outstanding patient outcomes in performing transcatheter aortic valve replacements, a procedure commonly known as TAVR. This recognition from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)/American College of Cardiology (ACC) TVT Registry of Public Reporting is based on one of the most sophisticated and highly respected measures of quality in healthcare.

As a participant in this national database, McLeod voluntarily reports their TAVR procedural outcomes for analysis with three-years of data. This participation earned their top five percent recognition over 800 participating TAVR programs across the United States.

“The outcomes of the McLeod TAVR program exceeded the TVT registry average significantly in all metrics during the three-year review period” said Dr. Brian Blaker, Director of Structural Heart Disease at McLeod Regional Medical Center. “I want to thank all of our team members whose unparalleled dedication and excellent care was instrumental in achieving this recognition for quality outcomes in performing the TAVR procedure.”

“The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and American College of Cardiology congratulates McLeod for their continuing efforts to improve the safety and outcomes of transcatheter valve procedures,” said David M. Shahian, MD, co-chair of the Task Force of TVT Public Reporting. “Participation in the database registry demonstrates a commitment to quality improvement in health care delivery and provides patients and their families with meaningful information to help them make informed decisions about health care.”

Since 2017, the McLeod Structural Heart Program has replaced diseased aortic valves using the TAVR procedure for more than 550 patients. TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure that allows physicians to replace a patient’s diseased or damaged heart valve without opening the chest to remove the old valve. Instead, the new valve is inserted through a small tube, and it expands inside the diseased valve to restore normal blood flow out of the heart.

The TAVR procedure is commonly performed for a disease called aortic stenosis. Patients with aortic stenosis, as with other forms of valve disease, often experience symptoms such as profound fatigue or shortness of breath, particularly with exertion. This can make everyday tasks difficult to manage, which negatively impacts quality of life. Other symptoms patients might encounter include chest pain, fainting, swelling, or a generalized feeling of weakness. Patients experiencing any of these symptoms should inform their primary care provider or request an evaluation with McLeod Cardiology Associates.

The McLeod Structural Heart Program includes a dedicated team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, technologists, pharmacists, case managers, and rehabilitation specialists. The team carefully assesses each patient to develop optimal treatment plans, striving for the best possible outcome.

The TAVR procedure, including the pre-procedural evaluation and post-procedure care, requires a collaborative, multidisciplinary team effort. “We could not do this without the physicians and staff working together for the benefit of the patient,” said Dr. Blaker. “We evaluate the patient, review each case together, and perform the TAVR procedure as a team. Everyone brings to the team their experience and expertise for the optimal care of the patient.”

The physician team includes: Structural Heart Cardiologists Dr. Brian Blaker and Dr. Ravi Parikh; Cardiothoracic Surgeons Dr. Cary Huber and Dr. Srinivas Kolla and; Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Dr. Daniel Fox, Dr. Robert Savage, Dr. Robert Casella, and Dr. Yaroslav Yatsky.

Amongst the invaluable support provided by all the team members is the coordination of care from start to finish that is provided by dedicated Structural Heart Navigators Chelsea Matthews, RN; and Traci Berry, RN; and Structural Heart Physician Assistant Chelsea Atkinson.

The McLeod Structural Heart team works tirelessly to ensure the process of evaluation and treatment is as seamless as possible for patients in their time of need.

In 2024, The American College of Cardiology (ACC) also awarded McLeod Regional Medical Center the Transcatheter Valve Certification. Hospitals that achieve Transcatheter Valve Certification are equipped with best practices for identifying opportunities and implementing strategies to ensure high quality patient care. McLeod was the second program in South Carolina to receive this prestigious certification.

McLeod Health is committed to delivering advanced, compassionate care to patients across the Carolinas. With a team of highly skilled specialists and a dedication to innovation, McLeod continues to set the standard for excellence in heart and vascular care.

About McLeod Health
Founded in 1906, McLeod Health is a locally owned and managed, not for profit organization supported by the strength of more than 900members on its medical staff and more than 2,900 licensed nurses. McLeod Health is also composed of approximately 15,000 team members and more than 90 physician practices throughout its 18-county service area. With seven hospitals, McLeod Health operates three Health and Fitness Centers, a Sports Medicine and Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, Hospice and Home Health Services. The system currently has 988 licensed beds, including Hospice. The hospitals within McLeod Health include: McLeod Regional Medical Center, McLeod Health Dillon, McLeod Health Loris, McLeod Health Seacoast, McLeod Health Cheraw, and McLeod Health Clarendon.

About STS
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) is a not-for-profit organization that represents more than 7,300 surgeons, researchers, and allied health care professionals worldwide who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for surgeries of the heart, lung, and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest. The Society’s mission is to advance the ability of cardiothoracic surgeons to provide the highest quality patient care through collaboration, education, research, and advocacy.

About the ACC
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is a non-for-profit organization that represents more than 55,000 cardiologists, researchers and allied health professionals worldwide whose vision is a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes.

The College’s mission is to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health along with core values comprising patient centered care, teamwork and collaboration, and professionalism and excellence.