The Cottage Heart & Vascular Center team at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (SBCH) recently performed its 1,000 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a minimally invasive procedure used to treat aortic stenosis.

With more TAVR procedures performed than any other hospital in the region, SBCH reports it is the first hospital on the Central Coast to achieve this milestone.

TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat patients with aortic stenosis, a condition characterized by the narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve, which restricts blood flow and can cause debilitating symptoms, such as shortness of breath, lightheadedness, palpitations, chest pain, fatigue, and shortened lifespan, the hospital said.

Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, TAVR allows patients to receive a new valve with a significantly shorter recovery time, greatly enhancing patients’ quality of life, SBCH explained.

“We are incredibly proud to have reached this achievement,” said Dr. Joseph Aragon, interventional cardiologist. “This milestone not only highlights our team’s expertise and dedication but also reinforces our commitment to providing advanced cardiovascular care.”

During the TAVR procedure, a catheter is used to guide an artificial valve, usually through an artery in the leg, to the heart, SBCH said. Once in position, the new valve is opened, and it begins to function immediately.

This minimally invasive approach offers patients a safer alternative with a quicker return to their regular activities, the hospital said.

“It’s rewarding to witness the program’s growth and see the hundreds of lives we’ve touched thanks to TAVR,” said Dr. Michael Shenoda, interventional cardiologist. “Reaching this milestone is made possible by a strong commitment to excellence across multiple departments.”

SBCH began offering TAVR in 2015, becoming the first hospital on the Central Coast to introduce the life-saving procedure.

The Heart and Vascular Center at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is a nationally recognized regional destination for cardiovascular expertise and medical management of complex heart and vascular conditions.

For more on TAVR, visit cottagehealth.org/TAVR.