Robotic heart surgery with TAVR, angioplasty may be first in country

Marilyn’s Heart Journey

Marilyn Reckling, 85, of Rochester Hills, Michigan, was scheduled for knee replacement in January 2020. But when she visited her cardiologist for clearance prior to surgery, Sindhu Koshy, M.D., discovered Marilyn had critical aortic valve stenosis–a narrowing of the opening of the aortic valve that restricts blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta. The knee surgery was put on hold so her heart issues could be addressed.

Marilyn, a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, was referred for evaluation with Samer Kazziha, M.D., an interventional cardiologist and Henry Ford Macomb Hospital’s Chief of Cardiovascular Services. A cardiac catherization revealed significant coronary artery blockages in addition to the severe aortic valve stenosis.

Based on her age and 40-year history of high blood pressure, Marilyn was considered high risk for open-heart surgery. Henry Ford Macomb’s Structural Heart team evaluated her case and formed a multi-faceted plan of care that incorporating the hospital’s leading-edge, minimally invasive treatment options.

Pandemic put treatment on hold

To buy Marilyn some time at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kazziha performed aortic valvuloplasty, which opened the valve area with a balloon and helped to temporarily improve her symptoms.

COVID-19 forced all but the most urgent surgeries to be postponed at Henry Ford Macomb and most other hospitals in the area. As soon as surgical services were approved to resume, Marilyn’s surgeries were rescheduled.

Robotic heart surgery with TAVR, angioplasty may be first in country

“All of these preceding steps were done so we could eventually do TAVR in the safest manner possible and not put Marilyn through open-heart surgery,” said Dr. Kazziha.