BCH is first in Colorado to introduce newest technology to treat aortic stenosis

Foothills Hospital performs first procedure in Colorado using the Evolut™ FX+ TAVR system to treat patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis

Boulder Community Health (BCH) today treated its first patient using the Evolut™ FX+ transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system, a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgical aortic valve replacement. BCH’s Foothills Hospital is the first facility in Colorado (full market release) to offer this latest technology to treat symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (ssAS) for patients across all risk categories (extreme, high, intermediate and low).

Experienced interventional cardiologist Srinivas Iyengar, MD and his Structural Heart & Valve team performed the milestone procedure utilizing the newest TAVR system, which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In the United States alone, more than 270,000 people are diagnosed annually with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

“On behalf of my team, I’m very proud that BCH performed one of the first Evolut™ FX+ implants in the country,” says Dr. Iyengar, Boulder Heart’s Director of Structural Heart & Interventional Cardiology. “We’re excited about this milestone, as we’re continuously exploring the latest treatment solutions for the growing patient population in need of advanced solutions to treat ssAS.”

Aortic stenosis – which occurs when the aortic valve leaflets become stiff and thickened and have difficulty opening and closing, making the heart work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. If left untreated, 50% of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis can die from heart failure in as little as two years. Patients turn to TAVR - a minimally invasive, catheter-delivered procedure - to boost blood flow, allowing patients greater quality of life and return to their favorite activities. TAVR is available for younger and active patients and those whose age or physical condition disqualifies them from open heart surgery.

As leaders in cardiovascular care, the integrated team of specialists at Foothills Hospital is continuously exploring the latest treatment options that support our patient-centered approach to symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (ssAS) care, a growing cardiac concern in the United States. BCH was at the forefront of transformation in Oct. 2022 when Dr. Iyengar and our Structural Heart team launched the Medtronic Evolut™ FX transcatheter aortic valve system – which at the time was the newest, innovative technology available for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis patients across all risk categories. In Feb. 2024, BCH was the first hospital in Colorado to offer patients the newest technology in non-valvular atrial fibrillation - WATCHMAN FLX™ Pro Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) Device.

The newest iteration of the Evolut TAVR system offers larger coronary access windows through a modified diamond-shaped frame design, which is four times larger than previous iterations of the Evolut TAVR system. The Evolut FX+ system provides increased space designed for catheter maneuverability to facilitate access to the coronary arteries of varying patient anatomies. Additionally, the modern design maintains the valve performance, excellent hemodynamics and radial strength that clinicians expect from the Evolut platform.

Talk to your doctor

This latest advancement is an exciting milestone that demonstrates BCH's commitment to improving cardiac care for heart valve disease patients. If you or someone you know are a patient with ssAS, talk with your doctor about TAVR to determine if the procedure is the right treatment option for you. For more information about the Evolut FX+ TAVR system, click here.

About Srinivas Iyengar, MD

• Leader of the most experienced Structural Heart & Valve team in the northern Front Range, performing TAVR, WATCHMAN, MitraClip ® therapy and Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)

• A national proctor for TAVR & WATCHMAN procedures

• A peer-reviewed author and active structural heart speaker at national academic conferences

• The highest volume interventional cardiologist in Colorado implanting WATCHMAN – the only FDA-approved implant proven to reduce stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation (AFIB) that is not caused by a heart valve problem. Dr. Iyengar also has a 100% WATCHMAN success rate.

• Dr. Iyengar and his team in the advanced Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Foothills Hospital use the latest technologies, including the WATCHMAN FLX™ Pro Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) Device and Evolut™ FX+ transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system.

• Fellowship-trained at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University, the first site to pioneer TAVR in 2007.

About Boulder Heart
Four locations: Anderson Medical Center (Boulder), Erie Medical Center, Community Medical Center (Lafayette) and Longmont

BCH’s Boulder Heart is recognized as a trusted leader in the Boulder Valley, providing patients with the very best in cardiac care. Our expert surgeons, cardiologists, electrophysiologists, and advance practice providers (APPs) excel in preventative, surgical and life-saving treatments. This includes care for: coronary artery disease (CAD); atrial fibrillation (AFIB) and other arrhythmias; structural heart & valve diseases, heart failure (CHF); mitral valve repair; and more.

Beyond medication management, heart-healthy lifestyle guidance and cardiopulmonary rehab, our team also provides innovative treatments ranging from minimally invasive catheter and robotic-assisted procedures to complex open-heart surgeries performed by some of the most respected and experienced physicians and surgeons in Colorado and a multi-state region.

Learn more at bch.org/heart or watch recent lectures and videos at bch.org/youtube

About Boulder Community Health
Boulder Community Health is a non-profit, independent, integrated, regional health system with facilities throughout Boulder and Broomfield counties. Boulder Community Health is known across Colorado for its clinical excellence in heart care, neurosurgery, stroke care, orthopedics and cancer care. Our mission is to provide our community with the highest value health care in an innovative, patient-centric environment. Our vision: We are partnering to create and care for the healthiest community in the nation. For more information, visit bch.org.