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URMC marks a surgical milestone

University of Rochester Medical Center

For many people in Rochester and beyond who suffer from heart problems, a high-tech treatment offered through the University of Rochester Medical Center has proven life-changing.

And earlier this year, URMC marked a milestone when it performed its 200th transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR.

UR Medicine Heart Valve Center introduced the procedure to the area in 2012 as a new therapy for people who are considered too fragile to endure traditional open-heart surgery.

Beverly Kluge, who had TAVR surgery in December, said she felt a difference right away.

“My blood pressure was good, everything went along smoothly,” she said.

According to URMC, specialists are now studying the effectiveness of performing the minimally invasive procedure for people with low and intermediate surgical risk.