The Saint Thomas Heart Team recently completed the 1,000th TAVR procedure since the program launch in 2012. TAVR is a minimally invasive heart procedure that replaces the aortic valve through catheters and wires.

Less than 20 heart programs in the country have achieved this level of success with TAVR procedures.

Because the procedure is minimally invasive, patients experience rapid healing and are often able to return home the day following their procedure.

"Saint Thomas Heart is proud to be a continued healthcare leader in the region by providing comprehensive cardiac services, from the treatment of chest pain all the way to heart transplantation," said Dr. Brian Wilcox, Chief Physician Executive, Saint Thomas Heart.

Saint Thomas Heart continues to be a leader in outcomes and advancements, including device research and the implementation of new technology. Due to being one of the top TAVR sites in the country, Saint Thomas Heart is currently the only health system in the state to offer continued access to the Partner 3 Trial. This trial is evaluating the use of TAVR for low-risk patients with aortic stenosis as a less invasive therapeutic option.