Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons, in collaboration with Heart Hospital of Austin, first in Texas to implant Solo Smart Aortic Pericardial Heart Valve

AUSTIN, Texas—On Oct. 16, 2014, surgeons with Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons became the first in Texas to implant the Solo Smart Aortic Pericardial Heart Valve. Faraz Kerendi, M.D. and Stephen J. Dewan M.D., cardiothoracic surgeons at Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons, performed the procedure at Heart Hospital of Austin.

The Solo Smart valve is the first valve with a removable stent to be approved in the U.S. market. Designed from bovine pericardium, the valve is fully biological, with no synthetic material added. This unique prosthesis mimics the healthy native aortic valve, preserves the aortic root physiology, and by eliminating excess synthetic material, maximizes blood flow.

The Solo Smart valve also features a removable nickel-titanium alloy stent, which provides support during implantation, but it is completely removed once the valve is sutured in. Once the stent is removed following implantation, the Solo Smart valve becomes an entirely stentless valve, providing low pressure gradients and large openings.

“We are pleased with the outcome of our first case,” Dr. Kerendi said. “The new Solo Smart valve has great potential for patients with valvular heart disease. Its performance is very similar to a native heart valve, and because it requires less suturing time, it can ultimately decrease the amount of time a patient is on a heart-lung-bypass machine.”

The Solo Smart Aortic Pericardial Heart Valve was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in late July 2014. Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons will be training surgeons on how to implant the new valve at Heart Hospital of Austin, which is one of four current training sites across the United States.

Heart Hospital of Austin

Heart Hospital of Austin, located at 3801 North Lamar Boulevard, is part of St. David’s HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas, which was recognized as one of the top 15 health systems in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters in January 2012. Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, Heart Hospital of Austin is a shared vision of local cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons. Working with hospital leadership, the physicians created an atmosphere of quality, resulting in the leading cardiac program in Texas for six consecutive years as ranked by HealthGrades—a leading independent health ratings organization. In July 2009, a study funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services revealed that Heart Hospital of Austin was the leading hospital in the United States for treatment of a heart attack. Heart Hospital of Austin has also been named one of the top cardiovascular hospitals in the nation by Truven Health Analytics for seven years, and it was also named to the list of 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals in 2013 and the list of 100 Top Hospitals in 2014 by Truven Health Analytics in conjunction with its parent campus, St. David’s Medical Center. In addition to providing a full range of cardiovascular services and an advanced Executive Wellness Program, Heart Hospital of Austin has a comprehensive 24-hour emergency department. Heart Hospital of Austin is a St. David’s Medical Center facility.

Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons, PA

For over five decades, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons (CTVS) has been proud to offer Central Texas the most specialized and innovative cardiothoracic, vascular, and pediatric surgical care available. The most sophisticated diagnostic and surgical techniques are provided by more than 20 CTVS surgeons from offices in Central Austin, Williamson County, Hays County, and all area hospitals. Individually and collectively, CTVS surgeons have amassed a record of medical “firsts” in Central Texas, including performing the first heart and kidney transplants in the area. Since 1958, the surgeons along with the clinical team of physician assistants, nurses, and technicians, have shared a commitment to patients, their health and the community.