Portsmouth, Va. (August 16, 2007) Surgeons with the Bon Secours Heart Institute have successfully performed the region’s first modified DAVID procedure, a complex repair of an aortic root aneurysm and congenitally malformed valve. Typically performed in academic medical centers, this revolutionary achievement demonstrates Bon Secours’ commitment to bring enhanced cardiac care to Hampton Roads. 

The patient, a resident of Chesapeake, had known for four years that he had a leaky aortic valve, but his most recent echocardiogram revealed a more serious problem – a large aortic root aneurysm and a congenitally malformed aortic valve having only two leaflets as opposed to three. 

Aortic root aneurysms are commonly associated with aortic valve insufficiency. In the 1980s, Canadian heart surgeon Dr. Tirone E. David developed a method to repair the aortic root without replacing the valve. By sparing the native valve, patients avoid life-long anticoagulation therapy and limited durability of a tissue replacement valve.

Cardiologist, Dr. George Sarris of Portsmouth Cardiology, knew Dr. Allan Stewart at Columbia University Medical Center, the clinical partner of the Bon Secours Heart Institute, is a leading expert on aortic repairs. Stewart is assistant professor of surgery and director of aortic surgery for Columbia’s New York Presbyterian University Hospital, recently ranked 6th in the nation for cardiac care by US News and World Report.   

Dr. Sarris contacted Dr. Stewart and forwarded the patient’s medical records, and then the decision was made to perform the operation at Bon Secours Heart Institute. Dr. John Artrip, cardiothoracic surgeon with the Heart Institute, and Dr. Stewart operated on the 33-year-old in late July. 

“Normally a patient would have to travel to an academic medical center, such as Columbia University or Duke University to receive care of this complexity,” said Dr. Artrip. “However, because of the Bon Secours Heart Institute’s relationship with Columbia University, local residents now have access to advanced cardiac care in our community.”
The patient said the decision to undergo the surgery was straightforward. “It was either stop everything that I do or try to fix it. I work in construction, and I couldn’t imagine giving up my work.”

He spent six days at the Heart Institute following surgery. Two weeks post-surgery, and he has been feeling a little better each day. His surgeons told him that he could begin returning to normal activity after six weeks of recovery.

“We believe that bringing advanced technology to our community benefits patients in two key ways,” said Dr. Artrip. “Patients with complex cardiac disease have access to innovative procedures not normally done here, and they have the social support of family and friends during their recovery, something that the Heart Institute feels is imperative in the healing process.” 

About Bon Secours Heart Institute

Bon Secours Heart Institute was established to bring open-heart surgery to the people of western Hampton Roads and meet a pressing health care need. This region is not only one of the fastest growing in our area, but is also home to people at high risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other diseases. Western Hampton Roads ranks highest for cardiovascular disease and death in an eight-state region. In the past, hundreds of these residents had to leave their own community each year to receive open-heart surgery — but no longer. Bon Secours Heart Institute provides heart patients the highest quality cardiac care consistent with the “best practices” of Columbia University, with whom we are affiliated.  For more information on Bon Secours Heart Institute, log on www.bshr.com/cardiac.