Luci Gardner
Q. What brought you to Portsmouth Regional Hospital?
A. Prior to TAVR, I had been monitored for a heart murmur, and had to undergo testing each year for 23 years. I didn’t have any symptoms, but recently my test results showed an increased risk of stenosis as the opening of my aortic valve was narrowing. After seeing the latest results, my cardiologist referred me to Portsmouth Regional Hospital for TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement).
Q. Tell us about your experience at Portsmouth Regional Hospital?
A: I knew nothing about TAVR when my cardiologist first referred me for the procedure. I met with the Valve Clinic team in early February, and each team member spoke to me individually, each anticipating separate components of my worry and fears and filling in a piece of the process.
I was given a comprehensive booklet describing the process. Dr. (Christopher) Terrien showed me the proposed valve by diagram and mock up and I was told what pre-tests I would need to determine my TAVR candidacy and a schedule for those tests.
Overall, I felt the team hoped I would qualify; each member was very friendly and encouraging and I left with a test plan timetable and a soup to nuts TAVR replacement plan.
I was approved for the procedure, had the surgery in March 2023 and everything went very well. I stayed one night at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, and all of the staff -- nurses, phlebotomists etc. were exceptionally careful and considerate.
The results have been amazing, my most recent follow up indicated that the valve has performed even better than expected.
Q. How have you been feeling since having TAVR?
A. I felt very well shortly after my procedure, and continue to do well. I’m very active, have great energy at age 82, and I am very glad I have gained a new young aortic valve.
But the best improvement is knowing that at a few months out, I will be doing even better, and who can say where I might be by my one-year appointment?
Q. What would you say to a friend who is considering TAVR at Portsmouth Regional Hospital?
A. At Portsmouth Regional Hospital, you have a team -- the valve clinic -- in the midst of a hospital, a team you become familiar with, a direct line just for TAVR patients.
The TAVR team offers information about the procedure to patients in cohesive parts for the patient’s understanding, and they will not be satisfied until the end result, as well as the patient experience, is perfect.
