While the study was halted during much of the COVID-19 pandemic, Christ Hospital physicians have recently performed two highly successful life-saving surgeries using this device, which gives hope to patients who are at high risk for surgical valve replacement. Currently there is no FDA approved catheter-based treatment.

“Over the years, we have pioneered numerous leading-edge drugs and medical devices, including the J-Valve transcatheter aortic valve,” said Dean J. Kereiakes, MD, FACC, FSCAI, President of The Christ Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute.

The TAVR valves currently available are designed specifically to address aortic stenosis—which involves dense calcification of the diseased heart valve. Conventional TAVR valves lock onto the calcified valve which then holds them in place. In aortic regurgitation, the valve is leaky, with little or no calcification.

“For these patients, there is no calcium to lock onto and current FDA approved TAVR valves have a greater risk for device migration and embolization, which can require emergency placement of another device.”

For aortic regurgitation, J-Valve has been designed to be safer and more effective. The J-Valve procedure is performed like other TAVR delivery systems, from the groin through the femoral artery, making it a much less invasive procedure. Patients are generally discharged quickly, and their recoveries have been swift.

The Christ Hospital was the first center in the U.S. to implant a J-Valve, and its most recent recipient is Sarann Mock, a 90-year-old Cincinnati resident and former nurse, was enjoying an active lifestyle until heart failure symptoms began to interfere.

“I couldn’t catch my breath” said Mock, a former ultra-marathoner. “I was always fatigued. I was constantly nauseated and I tired so easily. I could no longer comfortably venture outside. Heart failure took away everything that made me feel vital.”

A visit to her doctor revealed that Mock’s mitral and aortic valves were both failing, but they said she was not a candidate for traditional open-heart surgery. Her personal cardiologist had no other options for her—and he referred her to The Christ Hospital.

Mock followed that referral, which proved life changing. The Christ Hospital team repaired her mitral valve in September 2021 with a MitraClip device and in early January 2022 performed the J-Valve procedure to replace her aortic valve.

TAVR devices specific to aortic regurgitation are not yet FDA approved, but patients, like Mock, who have received the J-Valve procedure at The Christ Hospital were granted FDA approval under compassionate care guidelines. Her case demonstrates the importance of seeking a second opinion when treatment options seem limited or nonexistent.

About The Christ Hospital Health Network

The Christ Hospital Health Network is an acute care hospital located in Mt. Auburn, with a remote hospital location in Liberty Township, five ambulatory outpatient centers, and dozens of offices conveniently located throughout the region. More than 1,300 talented physicians and more than 6,000 dedicated team members support the Network. Its mission is to improve the health of the community and to create patient value by providing exceptional outcomes and the finest experiences, all in an affordable way. The Network has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report—for the seventh consecutive year as the #1 hospital in Greater Cincinnati for cardiology and heart surgery—and awarded Healthgrades “America’s 50 Best Hospitals” for being in the top 1% in the nation for providing the highest clinical quality year after year. It is also a Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award recipient, which recognizes top-performing healthcare organizations that achieve the 95th percentile or above for performance in patient experience. The Christ Hospital is among a select number of hospitals in the nation to be awarded Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. For more than 130 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to those it serves.