Mary Eustace is a leader. At 74-years-old, the Pearl, IL, resident, was recently elected first vice president of the more than 5,500-member Illinois Association for Home and Community Education (HCE).

But it is a group of 32 for whom she led the way that most changed her life.

“This has just been the best thing in the whole world for me,” Mary exclaimed.

In December 2019, she was the first Blessing Hospital patient to have her damaged aortic heart value replaced through a minimally invasive procedure called Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, or TAVR.

Over the next 12 months, 32 other people, ages 54 to 94 from throughout the Tri-State area, experienced the life-changing effects of TAVR.

Who TAVR helps

In most cases, people age 60 and over experience damage to their heart’s aortic valve through a naturally occurring process called stenosis. Stenosis is scarring or deposits that leave the aortic valve unable to open completely, making the heart muscle work harder, leading it to wear out more quickly.

Before TAVR, replacing the aortic valve required open heart surgery. That left some people with no care option, because their advanced age and pre-existing health conditions did not allow them to be surgical candidates.

TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure, during which the aortic valve is replaced through a catheter, using X-ray guidance. The replacement valve device deploys without having to stop the heart, as is required during surgery.

Blessing Physician Services cardiologist, Dr. Jeffrey Cook and Blessing Hospital heart surgeon Dr. John Arnold, work together in the operating room to treat TAVR patients.

“Mary and the 32 other patients who received a replacement valve in the first year of TAVR at Blessing Hospital were able to get the care they needed locally, in familiar and comfortable surroundings,” said Dr. Cook. “These are patients who otherwise would not have been a candidate for a surgical valve replacement due to age or other health issues.”

“During the first year of TAVR, 33 people experienced symptom relief and prolonged life expectancy,” added Dr. Arnold.

How TAVR changes lives

Mary loves volunteering, as many as 1,500 hours a year. Stenosis robbed her of that job.

“It made me very tired,” Mary recalled. “I would get exhausted doing small chores. I went from an active person to one who had to rest often”

Less than a month after the procedure, she said her energy level was back to normal.

“I feel like my old self,” Mary said. “I don’t run out of breath. I don’t get tired and exhausted. I get to do the things that I love to do.”

Amy Bates, APRN-AGACNP, Valve Clinic Coordinator, Blessing Health System, provides testing and care to TAVR patients before and after the procedure, and frequently hears stories like Mary’s.

“I hear them talk about how they can no longer fish or go mushroom hunting or play with their grandchildren because of their shortness of breath or fatigue,” Amy recounted.

“I then hear how they were able to go back to doing the things that they love,” she concluded with a smile.

Mary shared with Amy that as a result of her stronger heart and restored energy level she decided to renew her passport.

“I feel so good I am going to be skipping all around the world,” Mary declared.

For more information about TAVR at Blessing Hospital click here.