Study: Less-invasive surgery may be option for heart valve replacement
Posted: Updated:St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn has a new procedure that may offer some patients a less-invasive alternative to open-heart surgery.
David Gerassi, a 66-year-old from Oceanside, started having heart trouble about a year ago. St. Francis doctors diagnosed him with a failing heart valve. Typically, that would mean invasive open-heart surgery, but Gerassi opted to participate in a national study in which younger people received a new heart valve through a transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR. That invovles a new valve implanted through a blood vessel in the thigh. And for Gerassi, it worked.
"I felt 100 percent better," Gerassi says. "Right there and then, the same day."
Doctors say Gerassi's results helped show that younger adults with low surgery risk were getting positive results with TAVR when it was typically only recommended for higher-risk patients.
Since Doctors say the TAVR procedure could be used by younger patients, the issue of how long the new heart valves will last is a question that they say is being researched right now.
Gerassi is hoping for a positive outcome in the long run. And just two months post-surgery, he already has plans like biking during the summer.
St. Francis says it's one of the leading TAVR hospitals in the country. Last year, the hospital performed nearly 500 of the operations.
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Police: 2 arrested; third suspect wanted in Valley Stream robbery
Police: 2 arrested; third suspect wanted in Valley Stream robbery
Police say two men were arrested and a third is on the loose following a robbery in Valley Stream Saturday.Police say two men were arrested and a third is on the loose following a robbery in Valley Stream Saturday.Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney dies at age 85
Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney dies at age 85
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Multiple people injured after armed home invasion in Riverhead
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Red Cross: Apartment fire displaces 10 in Great Neck
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Paws & Pals: Exotic animals and their care
This week's Paws & Pals segment focuses on exotic animals and the difficulties owners can have when adopting one.
This week's Paws & Pals segment focuses on exotic animals and the difficulties owners can have when adopting one.
This week's Paws & Pals segment focuses on exotic animals and the difficulties owners can have when adopting one.This week's Paws & Pals segment focuses on exotic animals and the difficulties owners can have when adopting one.
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Dog Day Fridays for Dec. 6
Dog Day Fridays for Dec. 6
Manny is a 5-month-old male, Lab/Spaniel mix from Texas. He's an extremely playful, energetic and bouncy pup. He would thrive in a high energy home!
Manny is a 5-month-old male, Lab/Spaniel mix from Texas. He's an extremely playful, energetic and bouncy pup. He would thrive in a high energy home!
This week's dogs are up for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter. The shelter is located at 2259 River Road Calverton, NY 11933. Their phone number is 631-727-5731.This week's dogs are up for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter. The shelter is located at 2259 River Road Calverton, NY 11933. Their phone number is 631-727-5731.Chinese lantern festival lights up the sky above Citi Field for the holiday season
Chinese lantern festival lights up the sky above Citi Field for the holiday season
A new lantern festival has taken over Citi Field, lighting up the sky starting Friday.A new lantern festival has taken over Citi Field, lighting up the sky starting Friday.Your Long Island 2019 Holiday Photos
Your Long Island 2019 Holiday Photos
From sparking holiday lights to fun Santa photos, News 12 wants to see your holiday photos!From sparking holiday lights to fun Santa photos, News 12 wants to see your holiday photos!2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.Your December 2019 Storm Photos
Your December 2019 Storm Photos
Do you have photos of the winter storm from the December 2019 storm? We want to see!Do you have photos of the winter storm from the December 2019 storm? We want to see!