Southlake Health is the first hospital in North America to meet a major milestone of successfully implanting 1,001 sutureless heart valves.
Renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. Kevin Teoh not only completed the 1,000th surgery using the Perceval valve, which is the only fully sutureless heart valve currently used in aortic valve replacement surgery around the world, but he also lays claim to implanting the first Perceval valve in North America, according to a news release.
The same day as the 1,000th procedure, Dr. Stacy O’Blenes, division head of cardiac surgery at Southlake Health, also implanted the 1,001st Perceval sutureless heart valve.
Only six health-care organizations worldwide have implanted 1,000 sutureless heart valves. Southlake is the only hospital in North America to reach this milestone, with all other organizations to reach this milestone in Europe.
“We’re incredibly proud of the world-class team at the regional cardiac centre. They are at the forefront of ground-breaking research and ensure patients can access the latest advancements – because they deserve nothing less," said Derek McNally, executive vice-president of clinical services and chief operating officer at Southlake Health.
Dr. Teoh's significant experience with this technology began in 2011 when he participated in the first-ever Perceval implant in North America at Sunnybrook.
"His leadership and expertise have been instrumental in establishing Southlake as a global leader in sutureless valve technology," the hospital stated.
“This incredible achievement reflects not only Southlake’s commitment to leading-edge cardiac care, but also the dedication of our exceptional health-care team,” said Dr. Teoh. “Less invasive technology like the Perceval valve supports faster recovery times and improved outcomes for patients. We are honoured to have played a key role in bringing this technology to more than a thousand patients as part of their cardiac care journey.”
“As the regional cardiac centre, Southlake cares for cardiac patients from as far north as Muskoka to as far south as North York,” said Elizabeth Lalingo, director, of the department of cardiac health at Southlake Health. “Our commitment to patients and excellence, drives us to innovate, so that every patient who walks through our doors can be confident that they’re receiving comprehensive, leading-edge care.”
The regional cardiac care program at Southlake was an early adopter of the Perceval valve, an innovative heart valve made from bovine pericardium that is used in aortic valve replacement surgery, the hospital said. The valve’s sutureless and collapsible design enables minimally invasive access and simplifies surgical implantation to support faster recovery times and reduce the risk of postoperative complications when compared to traditional valve replacement surgeries.
“Congratulations to Dr. Teoh, Dr. O'Blenes and the team at Southlake Health for gaining their place in the Perceval 1000 Club and for being the first to reach it in North America,” said Christian Mazzi, chief executive officer of CORCYM. “This achievement is a testament to their trust in our Perceval valve as an innovative solution for their patients suffering from aortic stenosis.”
As a Level 7 regional cardiac program, the medical staff and staff provide almost every type of cardiac care, with the exception of heart transplants and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), to patients who no longer need to travel far distances to Toronto.
"As leaders in their fields, the team actively participate in ground-breaking research and are often the first to perform leading edge procedures in Ontario, Canada and even the world. Southlake continues to collaborate with international experts to enhance cardiac care and improve patient outcomes globally," the hospital said.
