The
On-X® Aortic Prosthetic Valve with Anatomic Sewing Ring is the most advanced
mechanical heart valve and first to address the important concern of
distorting the adjacent structures within the heart. The innovative valve is
the only mechanical valve that matches the contour of the heart.
The first implant was performed by Marc Gerdisch, MD, chief
of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at Franciscan St. Francis Health and
surgical director of the St.
Francis Heart Valve Center. Gerdisch, a partner with Cardiac
Surgery Associates, collaborated on the design of the device with On-X®
Life Technologies, Inc.
Gerdisch, an independent physician who chooses to practice at
Franciscan St. Francis Health, successfully implanted the device in, a
35-year-old male, from Ellettsville, Ind. The patient sought help at Franciscan
St. Francis Health when his condition eluded diagnosis for several months.
Physicians at the Franciscan St. Francis Heart Valve Center found
that infection had destroyed the patient’s aortic valve and severely damaged
the mitral valve. Although Gerdisch was able to repair his mitral valve, the
aortic valve required replacement. Fortunately, the advanced On-X valve
technology was available at St. Francis Heart Center.
According to Gerdisch, there are several types of aortic valve
disease and all of them pose a threat. Aortic valve
disease often progresses slowly without obvious symptoms. Once symptoms
appear, untreated patients have a poor prognosis. Aortic valve disease is
responsible for more than 25,000 deaths yearly.
Studies indicate that up to 50 percent of
untreated patients will not survive beyond an average of two years after the onset of
symptoms. Fortunately, surgery that replaces the aortic valve can
extend the lives of those who suffer from aortic valve disease.
“The
On-X heart valve with Anatomic Sewing Ring is a major advancement and allows us
to again improve the quality of life for younger patients with aortic valve
disease,” said Gerdisch. “The new valve permits preservation of normal
cardiac architecture and tension is reduced on the tissue where the valve
attaches. This type of innovation is designed to facilitate implantation and
reduce trauma to the heart, ensuring a greater likelihood of long-term
benefit.”
On-X
valves are designed with breakthrough technology that causes less blood cell
damage than traditional mechanical valves.
Franciscan
St. Francis Health is one of the leading hospitals for the Prospective
Randomized On-X Valve Reduced Anticoagulation Clinical Trial (PROACT). The
purpose of this trial is to determine if patients that receive the On-X valve
can be safely maintained with reduced levels of blood thinner or eliminating
the use of Coumadin (warfarin) altogether.
This
landmark trial has already produced important findings that could impact the
future for patients that receive a mechanical valve. Gerdisch will be
presenting study results at professional conferences internationally this year.
The Franciscan St.
Francis Heart Valve Center is the first dedicated
multidisciplinary center for evaluation and treatment of heart valve disease in
Indiana. As the only Healthgrades 5-Star valve repair and replacement surgery
program in Indianapolis for two years in a row, its team of heart surgeons and
cardiologists are experienced in managing complex valve disease. By offering
advanced surgical techniques not available at most hospitals, the center’s
staff offers new life and hope to patients.
 |
The
On-X® Aortic Prosthetic Valve with Anatomic Sewing Ring is the first mechanical
valve with a sewing ring to address the important concern of maintaining a
more natural anatomy after implant.
|
