Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute

Heart disease is the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. Experts at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Healthcare Institute for Innovations in Quality are on a mission to help solve this crisis through a new nationwide study. KCTV/KSMO/tv talked to Dr. John Spertus, clinical director of outcomes research at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute and founder and director of the Healthcare Institute for Innovations in Quality, about the HOPE Study for Mom and Baby. Watch now: https://heyor.ca/tcHPbj

Dr. Mikhail Kosiborod, cardiologist at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, recently presented new late-breaking data at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in London, UK. The new study is a pooled analysis of four randomized trials, in which the investigators tested the effects of semaglutide in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (the most common type of heart failure). More than 3,700 patients were included in the study. According to the data, semaglutide cut the risk of cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure events by 31%. Results were simultaneously published in The Lancet, one of the world's oldest and most renowned academic journals. “In this pooled analysis of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction across four randomized trials, semaglutide significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure," said Dr. Kosiborod. “Collectively, these results provide the most comprehensive evidence to date supporting the potential of semaglutide as an efficacious therapy in patients with this type of heart failure, who currently have few available treatment options”. Read more: https://heyor.ca/eoqL0L

Friends of Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center recently gathered at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts to formally celebrate the Women's Heart Center’s 30th anniversary of prioritizing women’s heart health. During the celebration, the Saint Luke's Foundation announced the establishment of Saint Luke’s Muriel I. Kauffman Institute for Women’s Cardiovascular Research, the first of its kind in the world, made possible by a donation of $10 million from the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation. The Center will be dedicated to studying the unique aspects of heart conditions in women and narrowing the sex-specific research gaps. The Institute's goal is to narrow sex-specific research gaps, both in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. It will build upon the Women’s Heart Center’s work with an expanded team of dedicated clinician-investigators and initiatives to improve women’s heart care nationally and around the globe. Thank you to Julia I. Dennie-Kauffman, the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation, our cardiovascular team, and all of our supporters for this outstanding milestone! See more from FOX4 News Kansas City: https://heyor.ca/XfVKLa

Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute continues its streak of firsts! Dr. Adnan Chhatriwalla recently led a team that performed the first FDA-approved TriClip transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) in Missouri. TriClip TEER is a minimally invasive option for patients with tricuspid valve regurgitation, which occurs when the leaflets in the heart valve don’t close properly causing the valve to leak. The device holds the leaflets together to restore proper blood flow. Congratulations to Drs. Adnan Chhatriwalla, Chetan Huded, David Skolnick, and the entire clinical team on another notable accomplishment! #TeamSaintLukes ??

Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute was the first in the region to perform a transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement using the newly FDA-approved EVOQUE valve. Ann was the patient. Ann, 66, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure several years ago due to her tricuspid valve leaking. This led to shortness of breath and swollen knees, affecting her walking. “My knee was so severe, I was on a walker,” said Ann. “I just kept getting slower and short of breath.” Ann’s primary care physician referred her to a heart failure specialist at the Heart Institute. They told her how the EVOQUE valve could replace her tricuspid valve without open-heart surgery, a revolutionary procedure in cardiology. She had the procedure in early July and was home two days later. “I feel better. I’m not quite as tired, I have more energy, and I don’t huff and puff anymore when I get up.” Ann recently started cardiac rehab and is on pace to have a healthy heart again. She looks forward to walking and doing more activities with her children and grandchildren. We are delighted Ann is doing well. Congratulations to Drs. Adnan Chhatriwalla, Keith Allen, David Skolnick, Elizabeth Grier, and their clinical teams for performing this successful procedure! #TeamSaintLukes ??

Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute's Vascular Program is the first in the Kansas City metro and the state of Missouri to implant a new medicated, dissolvable vascular stent known as the Esprit BTK System. The FDA-approved Esprit BTK System is a first-of-its-kind dissolvable stent for people with limb-threatening blood clots below the knee. The stent is implanted through a catheter-based, minimally invasive procedure to open the blockage and delivers a drug called everolimus to heal the vessel until it is strong enough to remain open on its own, then the stent dissolves. Dr. Matthew Bunte, Medical Director of Saint Luke's Vascular Program, and Dr. Karthik Vamanan, Surgical Director, performed the first two procedures with their medical teams. "This new treatment option supports healing while reducing the risk of long-term complications," said Dr. Bunte. "We're excited to be able to offer our patients the latest technological advancements." Congratulations to the entire vascular clinical team on this milestone! #TeamSaintLukes ??

Last week, Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute became the first in the region to perform a transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement using the FDA-approved EVOQUE valve. The tricuspid valve is one of four valves in the heart. It opens and closes to ensure that the blood moves in the right direction. When it does not close and seal well, blood flows backward from one chamber to another. When it is severe enough, patients might have symptoms of shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling, and weight loss. This condition was often difficult to treat—until now. The EVOQUE valve replaces the tricuspid valve without open-heart surgery, a revolutionary procedure in cardiology. Drs. Adnan Chhatriwalla, Keith Allen, David Skolnick, and Elizabeth Grier, along with their clinical team, performed the first two tricuspid valve replacements in the region. “Often referred to as the ‘forgotten valve,' we had limited treatment options for tricuspid valve disease," said Dr. Chhatriwalla. "As of today, Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute Valve Center of Excellence is the only program in the region to offer comprehensive valve disease care, including surgical therapies and transcatheter therapies, and that is hopeful for all our patients." Tricuspid valve intervention offers our patients new hope and is the next milestone in the treatment of valve disease. Led by Dr. Adnan Chhatriwalla, Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute Valve Center of Excellence is the region’s leader in the field of transcatheter heart valve intervention. In 2008, we performed the first transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure in Kansas City. Through clinical trials and research, we helped establish this life-saving therapy as the new standard of care. A few years later we participated in the next landmark clinic trial, one that brought a transcatheter-based option for patients with a leaky mitral valve. Way to go, #TeamSaintLukes! ??

The Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute team was the first in the region to perform transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement using the Edwards Evoque Valve. This device is commercially approved to virtually eliminate TR in this patient population and improve symptoms of heart failure. Congratulations to our structural program! Adnan Chhatriwalla, Keith Allen, David Skolnick, Liz Grier, Michael Main, Chetan Huded, Rachel Goodwin, Sarah Heavey, Anthony Hart, amagalski Dr. Anthony Magalski, Kyle Lehenbauer Saint Luke's Health System

Mikhail Kosiborod, MD, cardiologist at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute and vice president of research at Saint Luke's Health System, was named Luminary in Cardiometabolic Medicine at the 2024 Heart in Diabetes Conference in Philadelphia. Dr. Kosiborod was honored for his innovative leadership and unique contributions to better understanding the link between diabetes, obesity and heart disease, generating knowledge about novel treatments, and improving the quality of care for patients living with cardiometabolic conditions. “Throughout his career, Dr. Kosiborod has set the standard for excellence in academic medicine," Darren McGuire, MD, who presented the award, said. "As a result of his unwavering commitment to diabetes and cardiovascular disease research and clinical care, so many have benefitted from his successes and accomplishments, including ourselves, but most importantly patients living with diabetes." Congratulations to Dr. Kosiborod on this prestigious recognition! #TeamSaintLukes ??

Last fall, Mikhail Kosiborod, MD, cardiologist at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute and co-director of Saint Luke's Michael & Marlys Haverty Cardiometabolic Center of Excellence, gained worldwide recognition with findings from his landmark clinical trial: Obese patients who use the weight-loss drug semaglutide can significantly reduce the effects of heart failure. In April, Dr. Kosiborod announced the results of a second trial, which showed semaglutide also proves effective in treating patients with Type 2 diabetes. As the Ben McCallister, MD, Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Research, Dr. Kosiborod's findings illuminate the importance of research for Saint Luke's and the entire medical community. Your support of our mission is a direct investment in the brilliant minds who are revolutionizing medicine. For the health of our community, our region, our country, and the world, thank you for investing in the research taking place at Saint Luke's. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3UzYyFZ