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\t\t<\/a><\/p>\nIn 2016, Dr. Paul Sorajja<\/a> with Banner University Medical Center Phoenix became the first doctor in the world to use a specialized device called Tendyne<\/a> to treat a patient with MAC. He then went on to lead the study that got the procedure approved by the FDA<\/a> this year.<\/p>\n \u201cThe heart never stops. There\u2019s no heart-lung machine,\u201d Sorajja said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t require any cutting or sewing into the calcification of the valve, which makes it a very safe procedure.\u201d<\/p>\n How does new treatment for heart condition work?<\/p>\n The procedure replaces a leaky heart valve with the Tendyne device through a small incision between the ribs. The device expands inside the MAC patient\u2019s existing valve to stop leakage.<\/p>\n Previous treatment options for the heart condition were far riskier. Surgeons would try to cut or remove the calcification through open-heart surgery, but that often led to fatal tears or leaks. Some even tried using off-label valves not designed for MAC, and patients frequently died.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the previous experiences, the risk of death with traditional surgery was 8% to 10% or more. With the off-label valve therapies that people were trying, the risk of death was as high as 25%. With this new technology, we are now down into the 6% range, which is a lot more favorable for these patients,\u201d Sorajja said.<\/p>\n For Sorajaa, the impact on patients has been indisputable.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re just really grateful for the years they\u2019ve been given,\u201d he said. \u201cYou can think of it as if you had cancer or something life-threatening, and then somebody shows up with a drug that saves your life \u2014 it\u2019s akin to that. It\u2019s lifesaving and life-changing.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the study showed the procedure was effective in 95% of cases \u2014 with nearly all patients reporting an improvement in their symptoms and quality of life.<\/p>\n We want to hear from you.<\/p>\n Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here<\/a>.<\/p>\n