Columbia Structural Heart & Valve Center

Katherine Angell’s cardiologist diagnosed her with severe aortic stenosis. Her cardiologist was concerned because Katherine needed surgery to replace her aortic valve. However, because of her age she was not a good candidate for open heart surgery. Thankfully Katherine’s cardiologist had heard of a new procedure being done at Columbia University Medical Center called Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

Katherine was seen by Dr. Susheel Kodali who confirmed that she was a candidate for TAVR. Katherine was scheduled for her procedure on a Tuesday in June. Her son, Joe, drove her to her Columbia the morning of her procedure. When Katherine woke up she felt so good, she wondered whether they were unable to do the procedure. It was a miracle; she didn’t have a cut in the front of her chest… just a little prick on her leg and no pain or discomfort.

When Katherine was back in her room, one of the RNs asked if she would be willing to go for a walk. With her son’s encouragement she was up and walking just hours after the procedure. Prior to her procedure, Katherine was so winded she was required to lean on a wall in her home to walk from one room to the next and was often dizzy. The day of the procedure Katherine was able to walk unaided.

The following day Katherine was discharged from the hospital. Her daughter Pat could not believe the difference. Instead of crawling along the wall Katherine was walking from room to room in her home. Katherine’s son said “Mom, you have been given a second chance.”

Katherine had a very positive experience in the hospital stating that everyone was very attentive... in fact, per Katherine “you would hiccup and someone would be in your room immediately to make sure you are OK.”

Katherine describes her experience as “coming out of the gray into the light.” Katherine will turn 90 this January and claims that being alive for even one more year is a joy. Katherine is committed to spreading the word about this therapy as she is living proof that it saves lives.

I have always been an extremely independent person. I live alone in a rural area, I do my own grocery shopping and I go to church every Sunday. When I started to have trouble breathing and could no longer take care of my home because I didn’t have the strength my cardiologist suggested I have an evaluation at the Columbia Heart Valve Center. Dr. Susheel Kodali evaluated me and determined I had severe aortic stenosis and without treatment, I learned that it would worsen over time. I had my valve replaced through a procedure called Transcatheter Aortic Valve Repalcement (TAVR).

Throughout the evaluation, procedure and recovery process Dr. Kodali and the Physician Assistant, Michael Querijero (pictured) were extremely attentive and accessible. They were available to answer all my questions and they continually checked in on me to see how I was doing.

The procedure has been a great success. After being discharged from the hospital I lived with my daughter for a few weeks so she could help me with the recovery. However, shortly thereafter I moved back home and I am back doing my own grocery shopping, taking care of my home, including mowing my own lawn and going to church every Sunday.

My cardiologist cannot get over how great I look and how well I am doing. I would recommend Dr. Kodali and their wonderful team at the Columbia Heart Valve Center to anyone. In fact I tell everyone I know about them! My mantra throughout the process was “Just relax because they will take good care of you at the Columbia Heart valve Center.” And they did.

Greta Vanderburgh
Heart Valve Surgery Patient