Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Round Rock Offers Minimally Invasive Heart Procedure

Hospital becomes first in Williamson County to offer alternative to open heart surgery

ROUND ROCK, Texas – Baylor Scott & White Health expands its transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) offering, launching a new program at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Round Rock, the first in Williamson County. Baylor Scott & White, home to Texas' largest TAVR program, now has six locations throughout the System having performed more than 3,600 TAVRs and is a top-five provider of TAVR nationally.

"Bringing this option to our patients in the Austin area allows them to stay closer to home during their procedure and recovery," said Angel Caldera, MD, medical director, catheterization lab, Baylor Scott & White – Round Rock. "This new procedure reflects our team's multidisciplinary approach to care and our commitment to provide quality heart care."

Baylor Scott & White – Round Rock offers a comprehensive program that includes heart disease prevention, advanced diagnosis and treatment options for patients living with a variety of heart and vascular conditions.  The program features services that include cardiac rehabilitation, cardiology, electrophysiology, heart failure, and vascular care.  Since 2012, doctors at Baylor Scott & White – Round Rock have been involved with a number of TAVR procedures with the goal of bringing to patients living in Williamson County and surrounding areas. 

In August, the FDA approved TAVR for low-risk surgical patients after U.S. institutions, including Baylor Scott & White hospitals, participated in a number of clinical trials and follows the FDA approval of TAVR for inoperable patients in 2012, high-risk patients in 2014, and medium-risk patients in 2017.  As an alternative to open-heart surgery, this procedure demonstrated fewer complications and a shorter recovery time, with a patient typically discharged the day after the procedure.  With the addition of the new TAVR program, patients diagnosed with aortic stenosis have access to an innovative and convenient treatment. 

"For more than 10 years, we have provided cardiac services to our patients suffering from heart disease," said Robin Watson, MD, chief medical officer of Baylor Scott & White– Round Rock. "With this new program, we continue our commitment to provide quality heart care for patients suffering from aortic stenosis."

Aortic stenosis affects an estimated 1.5 million people in the U.S. and is one of the most common and serious valve diseases. Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve opening, restricting blood flow from the aorta to the rest of the body.  People suffering from heart disease, specifically aortic stenosis, may not experience noticeable symptoms until blood flow is reduced significantly.  Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, palpitations, heart murmur, or a reduced ability to perform normal activities requiring mild exertion.   

Baylor Scott & White hospitals offering TAVR are:

  • Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Round Rock
  • Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – College Station
  • Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital – Plano
  • Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas
  • Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth
  • Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple

TAVR research at all facilities is led through Baylor Scott & White Research Institute. Learn more about Baylor Scott & White Health's TAVR clinical research on Scrubbing.In.

Learn more about Baylor Scott & White Health's heart valve disease treatment options.

 

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Media Contact:
Christy Millweard
Christina.Millweard@bswhealth.org  
 512-366-7877

About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform — MyBSWHealth. Through 52 hospitals and more than 1,300 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com