Lakeland, FL – Polk County patients like Earli Sullivan who suffer from a potentially fatal leaky mitral valve but are not candidates for open-heart surgery can now find lifesaving care through an innovative device called MitraClip®. Physicians at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center are the first in Polk County to perform this vital procedure, allowing patients and their families to stay close to home to undergo this vital procedure.
“Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Polk County, but early detection and intervention can help prevent complications,” said Timothy J. Regan, MD, Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center President and Chief Medical Officer. “Our exceptional cardiologists, nurses and cardiac teams work closely to ensure that patients receive the highest caliber of cardiovascular care at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.”
Douglas Ebersole, MD, FACC, and Andres Medina, MD, FACS, became the first specialists in Polk County to implant the MitraClip device. Their first two procedures were recently performed at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. Konstantinos Marmagkiolis, MD, Premier Heart & Vascular Center Interventional Cardiologist, is also specially trained to perform the procedure.
“The MitraClip is a safe and effective way to repair mitral valve disease in older adults,” said Dr. Ebersole, Watson Clinic Interventional Cardiologist. “It is a highly precise and accurate alternative to surgery, particularly with patients who have more complex or advanced valve disease.”
“This new technology ensures that patients and families do not have to leave Polk County to receive leading-edge care for structural heart disease,” said Dr. Medina, Lakeland Regional Health Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon. “Relief from MitraClip is almost immediate and hospital stays are an average of two days. Our hope is patients are able to promptly return to the activities and lifestyles they enjoy.”
A leaking mitral valve, known as mitral regurgitation, is a serious, progressive heart disease in which the flaps of the mitral valve do not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward into the heart. Incidence of mitral regurgitation increases with age, with nearly 1 in 10 people over the age of 75 having moderate to severe cases of this disease. Left untreated, mitral regurgitation leads to a variety of symptoms and complications that will affect one’s way of life and may ultimately lead to heart failure or death.
Before MitraClip, people who were not eligible for open-heart surgery to treat mitral regurgitation could only manage their symptoms with medications that don’t stop the progression of the disease. Mitral regurgitation patients are often not eligible for the standard surgery because of advanced age, frailty, and other chronic diseases or complicating factors. The MitraClip is inserted via a catheter through a blood vessel in the leg, therefore offering a minimally invasive alternative.
MitraClip is the latest addition to Lakeland Regional Health’s comprehensive structural heart program. Structural heart disease refers to any defects in the heart’s valves, walls or chambers. Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center has been Polk County’s pioneer in cardiac care, serving as first in the region to provide many life-saving procedures. The Medical Center’s highly experienced physicians are the first in the area to implant the Watchman device for left atrial appendage closures, and Lakeland Regional Health, Watson Clinic Center for Research and Watson Clinic LLP were specially selected for an ongoing research trial investigating Amulet devices.
When considering structural heart care, choosing physicians with extensive experience is important. Specialists at LRH Medical Center have performed nearly 200 transcatheter aortic valve replacements since 2013 and have just completed their 700th atrial fibrillation ablation.
“The entire team, particularly Dr. Ebersole, at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center was excellent,” said Mr. Sullivan, 83, who is one of the first two patients to receive the MitraClip device in July. “I pretty much couldn’t do anything because I would lose my breath, but yesterday I was able to climb the stairs. Any activity I can do is an improvement.”
Mitral valve disease does not always give warning signs, but when symptoms do occur, they can include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath, especially when lying on one’s back or exercising
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Chest tightness
- Heart beating irregularly or quickly
Those wishing to learn more are encouraged to discuss MitraClip with their physicians.
About Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center
Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center is Florida’s fifth largest hospital. Founded in 1916 as Morrell Memorial Hospital, this 892-bed, comprehensive tertiary referral hospital operates a Level II Trauma Center, a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the eight-story Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children, and the nation’s busiest single site Emergency Department. It handles over 1,300 trauma visits annually and holds accreditations for its Advanced Primary Stroke Center and Chest Pain Center. Three hybrid operating rooms and a catheterization lab offer patients the least invasive surgeries possible and enhanced safety. Its Emergency Department earned the 2014 Innovation of the Year from the Florida Hospital Association and the 2014 EmCare Genesis Cup Award. The state-of-the-art, 32-bed Bannasch Institute for Advanced Rehabilitation Medicine provides evidence-based, innovative inpatient physical rehabilitation services designed to dramatically improve patient outcomes.
About Watson Clinic LLP
As one of the largest multispecialty medical clinics in the southeast, Watson Clinic provides comprehensive healthcare services to residents of Lakeland andsurrounding communities. First established in 1941, Watson Clinic has grown to include over 220 board-certified physicians representing more than 40 medical and surgical specialties. The Clinic is proud to deliver quality healthcare to every generation from our Main Clinic location at 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard in Lakeland, as well as at multiple convenient locations throughout Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. More information is available at: www.WatsonClinic.com.