TAVR Procedure One-Year Anniversary - Cecil Spear Patient Testimony
May 3, 2022
On May 3, 2021, Drs. Joseph Martinez, Scott Reames, and Barry Crowe performed the first transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure at East Alabama Health. Now, on the one-year anniversary of the first procedure, 25 patients have successfully undergone the TAVR procedure at East Alabama Health, including Mr. Cecil Spear.
Cecil Spear is a healthy and active 86-year-old Auburn resident and recently retired structural engineer. He teaches Sunday School at church, enjoys landscape painting, and played golf regularly until last year, when he began having trouble breathing and pain in his lower legs. Already a patient at Pinnacle Cardiovascular Associates, Cecil discussed his breathing difficulties and leg pain with his physician, Dr. Barry Crowe, and had an echocardiogram performed. It was then determined that he would need his valve replaced, and, fortunately for him, he was a candidate for the TAVR procedure.
The TAVR procedure is a minimally invasive heart procedure that replaces a calcified aortic valve. For patients that are eligible, the TAVR procedure replaces this valve via a catheter, without the need for an open-heart surgery. This means less time spent in the hospital and a quicker recovery for the patient.
On December 27, 2021, Cecil underwent his TAVR procedure. Needing to spend only one night in the hospital, he was discharged home the next day and could immediately tell a difference in his breathing and leg pain. A month later, he began cardiac rehabilitation three times a week, strengthening his heart by exercising on the stationary bicycle and treadmill. As his recovery continues, he hopes to begin playing golf again soon.
When asked about his overall experience, Cecil had nothing but praise for the entire team that helped in his diagnosis, procedure, and recovery. “If we were grading by letter grades with ‘A’ being the best, they would get an ‘A’ from me,” says Cecil. Thanks to his devoted team of nurses, doctors, and physical therapists, Cecil will be back on the golf course in no time.
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