Life-saving heart care: How TAVR gave Dr. Ansel a second chance

For Dr. Justin Ansel, the 2024 holiday season was unlike any other. Just months ago, the 84-year-old retired dentist faced a life-threatening heart condition. After undergoing an advanced Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) at Lakeview Hospital, part of LCMC Health, he’s now celebrating milestones he once thought impossible – including a Thanksgiving trip to Disney World with his family and his 50th wedding celebration.

“After my TAVR surgery, I felt like a new person. It was like night and day,” Dr. Ansel said. “Being able to share that experience with my family was something I never imagined would be possible.”

From crisis to care: Addressing his life-threatening heart condition

Dr. Ansel’s health challenges began years ago with an aortic valve replacement in 2014. At first, the procedure improved his condition, but by late 2023, troubling symptoms returned. Walking across his yard became a near-impossible task. His legs grew weaker, and he eventually had trouble maintaining his breath. Each passing day brought new struggles, signaling that something was deeply wrong.

A visit to his cardiologist revealed the severity of his condition: his aortic valve was leaking significantly, allowing less than 30% of normal blood flow. Compounding the danger, a potentially serious blood infection was complicating his health further.

Recognizing the urgency, Dr. Ansel was referred to the Heart and Vascular Care Clinic at Lakeview Hospital, where his condition was officially diagnosed as severe aortic stenosis. This condition, where the heart’s aortic valve thickens and stiffens, reduces its ability to fully open and effectively regulate blood flow to the body. If left untreated, it can lead to heart failure or death.

His condition rapidly worsened, leaving him in and out of consciousness. During his hospital stay, he recalled experiencing hallucinations, a sign of how gravely his health had deteriorated. For his wife and family, these episodes were a sobering reminder of how close he was to losing his life.

Traditional treatment for severe aortic stenosis often involves open-heart surgery to replace the valve. However, due to the complexities of Dr. Ansel’s condition, this option was not ideal. Instead, the team at Lakeview Hospital turned to an advanced, minimally invasive alternative: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

The procedure, a collaboration between John Breaux, MD, a thoracic and cardiac surgeon, Dr. Bruce Ennis, a cardiologist, and Hamid Salam, MD, an interventional cardiologist, replaced Dr. Ansel’s diseased valve without the need for open-heart surgery. This innovative approach is particularly beneficial for patients with complex medical profiles, offering quicker stabilization and significantly reducing risks.

During the TAVR procedure, a catheter was inserted through a small incision in the groin and guided to the heart using advanced imaging. The team delivered a fully collapsible replacement valve to the site of the failing valve. Once expanded, the new valve “piggybacked” onto the old one, pushing its leaflets aside and immediately taking over the job of regulating blood flow.

This innovative technique eliminated the need to open the chest, significantly reducing risks and recovery time. Within one day of surgery, Dr. Ansel was discharged from the hospital – a remarkable turnaround considering the severity of his condition.

Life after TAVR: Renewed energy and a grateful heart

Today, Dr. Ansel reflects on the improvements in his health since undergoing TAVR. He continued to build his strength through rehabilitation and weekly antibiotic infusions administered at home by his wife to manage the infection that had further complicated his condition. Her care continues to play a critical role in his ability to regain his strength and return to a sense of normalcy.

Lakeview Hospital’s nursing staff also left an impression on Dr. Ansel during his hospitalization. One morning, disoriented and confused, he was found sitting on the side of his bed, trying to remove the wires attached to him. A nurse discovered him and calmly reassured him, helping him back into bed with compassion and care. For Dr. Ansel, this small act of care reinforced his trust in the hospital’s dedication to his well-being.

“It’s incredible how far I’ve come in such a short time. I feel stronger every day, and I have hope again. There’s no chance I would’ve been able to make it to Disney with my family without the support of the Lakeview Hospital team. I’m so grateful for them,” he said.

For cardiology patients like Dr. Ansel, advancements like TAVR offer more than just survival – they provide the opportunity to truly thrive. The procedure has become a groundbreaking option for individuals who might not be candidates for traditional open-heart surgery, offering new avenues to extend and improve quality of life.

His advice to others experiencing symptoms of aortic stenosis is clear: don’t wait. “You have to trust the doctors and the hospital,” he said. “Have faith and don’t give up. They saved my life, and they can help you too.”

Whether it’s sharing laughter with his grandchildren or planning his next family outing, Dr. Ansel is embracing life’s everyday milestones with renewed energy and gratitude. Severe aortic stenosis is a serious condition, but innovative procedures like TAVR are helping patients regain their quality of life. Dr. Ansel’s experience shows how skilled care and modern technology can transform lives, offering hope to those facing similar challenges.

For more information about heart care and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, visit Lakeview Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Treatment website to learn more about your options for better heart function.