Curtis' TAVR Story
“I’ve never been one to think about age, and the TAVR at Cottage gave me a fantastic new chapter in my life.” – Curtis Janhke, 96, Santa Ynez Valley
Curtis Janhke turned 96 this past January. If you met him, you would never guess he had the aortic valve in his heart replaced just a few months ago.
Prior to his heart issues, Curtis had a healthy, active lifestyle, but he began experiencing high blood pressure and chest pains. His physician referred him to the Cottage Heart & Vascular Center and to Bina Ahmed, MD, an interventional cardiologist affiliated with Cottage Health.
Tests at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital revealed Curtis had severe aortic stenosis, which means his heart's aortic valve had thickened and calcified, so it was not opening fully. The aorta is the largest artery in the body and is the main artery that carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. Aortic stenosis limits blood flow and can result in chest pain, fatigue, fainting, leg swelling and shortness of breath.
Fortunately, Curtis was a good candidate for a recent medical breakthrough called TAVR. TAVR stands for transcatheter aortic valve replacement and is a minimally invasive heart procedure to replace a damaged aortic valve. It does not require open-heart surgery.
However, before Curtis could receive the TAVR, he needed a procedure called carotid revascularization, which treats carotid artery disease and helps prevent strokes. Alois Zauner, MD, neurosurgeon affiliated with Cottage Health, performed the procedure.
Curtis then underwent a successful TAVR performed by Dr. Bina Ahmed and has done well since.
“I was able to go home after a couple of days at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital,” Curtis said, “where the medical staff was outstanding.”
After he returned home, Curtis participated in the outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program at Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital, which included exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.
These days, Curtis is back to enjoying the life he loves – woodworking in his shop, tending to his tree farm and managing a sawmill he acquired when he was 92.
“I felt great after receiving my TAVR,” Curtis said. “It was hugely successful, and my energy level is so much better.”