Sentara Structural Heart Center first in Virginia to implant heart device

The Sentara Structural Heart Center at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital implanted the first JenaValve Trilogy™ Heart Valve in Virginia as part of a clinical trial using the non-surgical valve replacement for the treatment of severe aortic regurgitation. The JenaValve Trilogy™ Heart Valve is an investigational device so it has not yet received FDA approval.

Sentara completed the first two procedures in Virginia and is the only site in the Commonwealth with this technology.

Sentara Cardiologist Matthew Summers, M.D., a principal investigator for this study, said, "This was a tremendous effort from our team, and we are so proud to be the only site in Virginia offering patients this less invasive treatment option."

Aortic regurgitation is a condition where the heart’s aortic valve does not close tightly and allows large amounts of blood to leak back into the heart chamber, which can lead to severe symptoms of fatigue and shortness of breath.

"This procedure will be a game changer for those who are too high-risk for surgical aortic valve replacement. These patients currently have no other treatment options available to them," said Sentara Cardiothoracic Surgeon Clinton Kemp, M.D., who is part of the implantation team involved in this study. "I'm proud to be a part of the Sentara Health Research Center and to have this as an option for our patients."

To learn more about this clinical study and the work being done at the Sentara Health Research Center, click here.