A Summerland woman is the first patient in Canada to receive a new heart valve device that is still under study.<\/p>\n
In May, Dixie-Lee Rosher, 83, received an AltaValve at St. Paul\u2019s Hospital in Vancouver to replace her faulty mitral valve.<\/p>\n
The mitral valve regulates blood flow between the left atrium and left ventricle and has traditionally been especially difficult to treat.<\/p>\n
The AltaValve, a minimally invasive transcatheter procedure, treats severe mitral valve regurgitation in patients who are not candidates for traditional treatment methods including surgery.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The valve is inserted through a tube inserted in the groin and moved through blood vessels to the heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has given me my life back,\u201d said Rosher, who is quickly returning to friends, bridge, church and domestic life with her husband of over 60 years, Ron.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI have realist expectations. I simply want to function as a healthy 80-year-old,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Developed by 4C Medical Technology in Minnesota, a clinical trial is underway in the United States, Europe and now Canada to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the new valve.<\/p>\n
Rosher was told she was patient number 200 in the study whose leaders want to recruit a total of 400 patients.<\/p>\n
St. Paul\u2019s is the only hospital in Canada to offer the procedure to a small number of patients who qualify.<\/p>\n
Eventually, if the study yields positive results, the procedure will be established at other Canadian medical centres.<\/p>\n
Rusher said she was able to travel home the same day as the procedure, but the doctors wanted her to stay in hospital for observation according to study guidelines.<\/p>\n
She returned to St. Paul\u2019s for a check-up one-month post-procedure and will return after six months and then annually.<\/p>\n
Rosher\u2019s mitral valve problem started several years ago with symptoms, such as shortness of breath, inability to walk any distance and sluggish thinking, that gradually increased. \u00a0<\/p>\n
About three years ago her local cardiologist said there wasn\u2019t anything more that could be done for her here and referred her to St. Paul\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Late 2025, her symptoms increased significantly.<\/p>\n
Less than 40 percent of the normal amount of blood was flowing through her body.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe medications were no longer working, I was considered a poor risk for surgery, and I knew I couldn\u2019t carry on much further,\u201d Rosher recalled.<\/p>\n
When offered the chance to be part of the study, she didn\u2019t hesitate for a moment.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cLet\u2019s go for it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
With over 35 years of experience as a registered nurse, Rosher understood her precarious position, the risks of the procedure and the potentially life-saving opportunity presented to her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The gift of extra years of life has given Rosher a greater appreciation of the good things in her life\u2014her community, a secure home, friends and family.<\/p>\n
\u201cRon and I have three adult children, eight grandchildren and our third great grandchild is due in September,\u201d Rosher said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It has also given her a purpose.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel strongly that I have a responsibility to tell others not only to enjoy life but also to encourage anyone with mitral valve problems. Currently, there are several good treatment options for the early stages. Research is being conducted on new procedures and devices and should be available in the near future,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
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