HCA Florida Hospitals collaborate on first-in-state heart surgery

St. Petersburg, FL (October 28, 2024) - In a groundbreaking collaboration, surgical teams from HCA Florida Northside and HCA Florida Largo hospitals have successfully performed the first implantation in Florida of a new, larger valve for a Transcatheter Aortic Valve procedure, marking a significant advancement in heart care for the state. This new, larger valve offers hope for patients with larger anatomies who previously had limited treatment options.

 “The successful surgery was made possible through the collaboration of a multi-disciplinary team from both HCA Florida hospitals, showcasing the strength of our partnership and shared dedication to patient care,” said Phil Marchesini, Northside Hospital CEO. “We leveraged our state-of-the-art operating facility and brought our two teams of experts together to continue the lifesaving care our patients need.”

This first in Florida procedure was performed on an 80-year-old male patient suffering from severe aortic stenosis. Due to his advanced age and other health conditions, the patient was considered high-risk for traditional open-heart surgery, making the TAVR procedure the preferred, less invasive alternative.

The expert team included:

- Dr. Saurabh Sanon, Interventional Cardiologist and Regional Medical Director of Structural Heart

- Dr. Sai Sudhakar Chittoor, Cardiac Surgeon

- Dr. Brendon Hart, Anesthesiologist

This achievement not only highlights the hospitals' technical capabilities but also underscores their role as leaders in Florida's medical community. It reflects HCA Florida Healthcare's ongoing commitment to investing in cutting-edge technologies and fostering collaboration among its facilities to enhance patient outcomes.

For more information about cardiac care services at Northside and Largo hospitals, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.