Columbia Structural Heart & Valve Center

Katherine Angell’s cardiologist diagnosed her with severe aortic stenosis.  Her cardiologist was concerned because Katherine needed surgery to replace her aortic valve.  However, because of her age she was not a good candidate for open heart surgery.  Thankfully Katherine’s cardiologist had heard of a new procedure being done at Columbia University Medical Center called Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

Katherine was seen by Dr. Susheel Kodali who confirmed that she was a candidate for TAVR.  Katherine was scheduled for her procedure on a Tuesday in June.  Her son, Joe, drove her to her Columbia the morning of her procedure.  When Katherine woke up she felt so good, she wondered whether they were unable to do the procedure.  It was a miracle; she didn’t have a cut in the front of her chest… just a little prick on her leg and no pain or discomfort. 

When Katherine was back in her room, one of the RNs asked if she would be willing to go for a walk.  With her son’s encouragement she was up and walking just hours after the procedure.  Prior to her procedure, Katherine was so winded she was required to lean on a wall in her home to walk from one room to the next and was often dizzy.  The day of the procedure Katherine was able to walk unaided.  

The following day Katherine was discharged from the hospital.  Her daughter Pat could not believe the difference.   Instead of crawling along the wall Katherine was walking from room to room in her home.  Katherine’s son said “Mom, you have been given a second chance.”

Katherine had a very positive experience in the hospital stating that everyone was very attentive... in fact, per Katherine “you would hiccup and someone would be in your room immediately to make sure you are OK.”

Katherine describes her experience as “coming out of the gray into the light.”  Katherine will turn 90 this January and claims that being alive for even one more year is a joy.  Katherine is committed to spreading the word about this therapy as she is living proof that it saves lives.