MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center’s John Bahadorani, M.D., is a leader in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) – a Minimally Invasive Way to Treat Heart Disease
When it comes to heart conditions, valve disease is very serious, since it impacts one of the biggest arteries in the body: the aorta. Aortic stenosis is when the valve between the lower left heart chamber and the aorta cannot open fully. Because of this, blood fl ow from the heart to the aorta is reduced or blocked altogether, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. If left untreated, aortic stenosis can lead to heart failure, stroke, blood clots, bleeding, irregular heartbeat, infections that affect the heart, or even death.
Aortic stenosis was typically only treated with open-heart surgery, requiring long hospitalization, posing a greater risk of infection, causing more pain and requiring a longer recovery time. Currently, specialists from MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Saddleback Medical Center, including Dr. John Bahadorani, Dr. Michael Gault, Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, Dr. Jeffrey Altshuler, and Dr. Colin Joyo, are performing a minimally invasive procedure called Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) to treat aortic stenosis.
TAVR replaces a damaged aortic valve by implanting a catheter through an artery in the groin or chest and replacing the artery without ever needing open heart surgery.
“TAVR is a low risk, minimally invasive procedure that allows the aortic valve in your heart to be replaced with a new valve, all while your heart is still beating,” says John Bahadorani, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, interventional cardiol-ogist, MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Saddleback Medical Center.
“TAVR is a good treatment option for those with severe aortic stenosis. Patients at intermediate or high risk, or those not suitable for open-heart surgery, should speak with their doctor to determine if TAVR might be the right treatment for them.”
Dr. Bahadorani is a board-certified interventional cardiologist, well-versed in the opening of blocked blood vessels with minimally invasive catheter procedures. He devotes his time to treating patients, and teaching other cardiologists what he has learned from his many years of experience.
“Having a healthy heart is extremely important to ensure your entire body is functioning properly,” Dr. Bahadorani explains. “I am blessed to have these years of experience in helping patients keep their heart healthy, and I will do all I can to help other cardiologists do the same.”
The MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Saddleback Medical Center completed its 500th structural heart procedure in under five years, making it a leader in structural heart case in Southern Orange County.
The MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Saddleback Medical Center offers comprehensive, personalized care for the most complex cardiac and vascular conditions. The care team at Saddleback Medical Center coordinates all aspects of a patient’s heart and vascular care – from prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
For more information about TAVR, visit memorialcare.org/MHVI.
