Health Briefs

+ Orlando Health utilizes new heart tech 

A new heart-valve technology is helping improve patient outcomes and giving doctors greater accuracy when implanting replacement valves.

Interventional cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons at the Orlando Health Heart Institute are the first in Central Florida to use the newly approved re-capturable, self-expanding CoreValve Evolut R System. The first and only recapturable and repositionable device available in the United States, the Evolut R System is approved for transcatheter aortic valve replacement in severe aortic stenosis patients who are at high or extreme risk for surgery. Untreated, aortic valve stenosis can lead to serious heart problems including heart failure and even death.

“TAVR itself was a generational leap forward for patients who were unable to receive the benefits of surgical options,” said Dr. Deepak Vivek, interventional cardiologist and director, Orlando Health Heart Institute Valve Center. “This new valve system is a refinement to the major advance of TAVR. The new technology brings more safety, less complications and shorter recovery times for patients.”

The system replaces a diseased aortic heart valve through a minimally invasive procedure, without open-heart surgery and without surgical removal of the diseased valve. The device is typically inserted via an artery in the leg and then guided through the arteries into the heart. Once in place, the device expands and takes over the original valve’s function to enable oxygen-rich blood to flow efficiently out of the heart.

Because the valve is recapturable and repositionable, cardiologists and surgeons are able to place the valve with greater accuracy and ease. Greater accuracy in placement reduces leaky valve problems that can lead to heart failure and other complications for patients. More accurate valve placement also reduces the need for a permanent pacemaker.

The new valve also is designed for use in smaller leg arteries, as opposed to previous valve size requirements for larger arteries or chest incisions (in instances when leg arteries were not large enough to accommodate).

Aortic stenosis is a common heart problem caused by a narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve because of excessive calcium deposited on the valve leaflets. When the valve narrows, it does not open or close properly, making the heart work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Eventually, this causes the heart to weaken and function poorly, which may lead to heart failure and increased risk for sudden cardiac death. Aortic stenosis typically occurs in people older than 65.

“Age is only a number,” Vivek said. “Many patients who are in their 80s or 90s are able to reap dramatic benefits. Not only are we helping to add longevity to their life expectancies, we are able to add quality to the years of their lives. We are hoping to reduce the number of hospitalizations due to shortness of breath or heart failure, and help patients maintain independence as they age.”

+ Sign up for PAL’s Donut Dash

So, maybe this isn’t the healthiest race in West Orange County, but it sure benefits a great cause.

The Winter Garden Police Athletic League will host its Donut Dash 5K at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves. 

For those looking to avoid the carbs, you can just run the race as a regular 5K. However, runners who can consume donuts at one of two zones along the route will earn 30 seconds off their time for each donut they eat.

Each adult entry comes with one free child’s entry to the accompanying Mini Donut Fun Run for children ages 5 to 12. 

The Winter Garden Police Athletic League provides two community-based programs: the Holiday Gifts for Kids program and the PAL summer camp program.  

For more more information, visit active.com/winter-garden-fl/running/distance-running-races/donut-dash-5k-2015.

+ Service league to host third 5K

The West Orange Junior Service League will host the sixth annual 5K at Oakland Park from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Oakland Park, 15241 E. Oakland Ave., Winter Garden.

Cost to participate is $25 through Sept. 19, $30 from Sept. 20 to 25 and $35 on race day.

Funds raised will benefit the West Orange Junior Service League.

Interested runners can register online at trinrun.com.

+ Ocoee to host free CPR class

The Ocoee Fire Department will join the Florida Department of Health and other agencies across Florida to offer free hands-only CPR training Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Ocoee Fire Station No. 25, 563 S. Bluford Ave., Ocoee. A morning class is scheduled from 8 to 11 a.m., and an afternoon class is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m.

Participants will receive a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the class.

Participants are encouraged to pre-register for the event by contacting Ocoee Fire Department at (407) 905-3140.