Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States Marks Historic Milestone: 1,000 TAVR Procedures

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Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States has completed its 1,000th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure, a groundbreaking milestone that underscores its commitment to leading the way in cutting-edge medical technology and improving patient outcomes.

The TAVR procedure is a minimally invasive, technologically advanced, alternative to open-heart surgery for severe aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis is a condition where the main valve of the heart narrows and obstructs blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Without timely treatment the risk of death from severe symptomatic aortic stenosis is over 50% at 1-2 years. TAVR involves accessing the heart through a catheter inserted into a blood vessel in the leg, guiding it to the heart, placing a new valve inside the old one, and expanding it into place. Patients recover faster and spending significantly less time in the hospital than with traditional open-heart surgery, with 90% of our TAVR patients being discharged the day after their procedure

Achieving 1,000 TAVR procedures reflects Kaiser Permanente’s dedication to advancing health care through innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a focus on patient-centered outcomes.

Kaiser Permanente patient Elizabeth “Tookie” Gentilcore, a 78-year-old Maryland Senior Olympics gold medalist, credits her ability to continue to live an active life to the extraordinary care received during and post-TAVR procedure.

“I walked out of the hospital the same day and couldn’t wait to get back to my routine,” said Gentilcore. “If anyone asks if there is life after TAVR heart surgery, I just say: ‘Oh yeah! Lots of it!’ Now, I stay active with my grand-girls, volunteer with Poolesville Seniors, participate in church activities, and host friends for meals. I also play pickleball three times a week, which led to winning gold in the Maryland Senior Olympics pickleball tournament. My doctors at Kaiser Permanente didn’t just treat my condition—they gave me my life back.”

The procedure was performed by a multidisciplinary team led by Benjamin Galper, MD, interventional cardiologist and director of the structural heart disease program at Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Galper has helped establish TAVR as a safer, faster, and highly effective option for treating severe aortic stenosis. Eligibility for the procedure is determined by a team of specialists, who carefully evaluate each patient to ensure it is the best option based on their unique health needs and risks.

“This milestone reflects not just the technical expertise of our team but the deep commitment we have to transforming lives,” said Dr. Galper. “At Kaiser Permanente, we prioritize precision, research, and compassionate care to ensure patients like Tookie receive the best possible outcomes. With TAVR, we’re proving that innovative care can be safer, faster, and more effective.”

Studies published by Dr. Galper have demonstrated the significant advantages of TAVR, including reduced complication risks, shorter hospital stays—often just one day for patients at Kaiser Permanente—and a quicker return to daily activities. Traditional open-heart surgery, by contrast, typically requires a much longer recovery time and carries higher risks for certain patients.

Kaiser Permanente’s achievement highlights its unique ability to combine advanced medical technology with a seamless, patient-focused integrated care model supported by its electronic health record system. This approach ensures that every step, from diagnosis to procedure and recovery, is coordinated for optimal efficiency and outcomes.

The 1,000th TAVR procedure is a testament to the expertise of Kaiser Permanente’s physicians, the dedication of its staff, and the trust placed in its care by patients across the region. Kaiser Permanente will continue to lead the way in providing innovative heart care solutions, furthering its mission to deliver high-quality, affordable health care that transforms lives.

Kaiser Permanente provides health care at 35 medical centers located in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia as well as through many virtual options including video, phone, and secure messaging. Through its uniquely integrated, coordinated approach to care, Kaiser Permanente members experience better health outcomes. Kaiser Permanente’s integrated delivery system, regular disease screenings, cutting-edge treatment plans and successful management of chronic conditions has helped its members live longer and healthier, according to data. With more than 1,800 physicians in more than 60 specialties, the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, which provides care exclusively to Kaiser Permanente members, is one of the largest integrated multispecialty medical groups in the region.

For more information about Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States and its innovative heart care programs, visit kp.org.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

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