AFAR 2011 Center of Excellence Fellow, Dr. Dae Hyum Kim, and 1996 Beeson Scholar, Dr. Harlan Krumbolz were cited in a March 12 piece in The New York Time’s New Old Age blog to compare the popular new Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, T.A.V.R., procedure with more traditional surgery for patients with the heart condition, aortic stenosis.
With one third of elderly patients facing a fatal risk from traditional aortic stenosis surgery, the procedure is not suitable for everyone.
Though early praise pointed to T.A.V.R., which replaces the valve without a major incision, as a solution for high-risk aortic stenosis patients, Dr. Kim and Dr. Krumbolz do not believe there is sufficient the data supporting the claim that the new process is safer.
Higher rates of complications such as stoke, kidney failure, and fatality, prompt, Dr. Kim and Dr. Krumbolz to remind aging patients to fully research their options before undergoing the procedure.
Dr. Dae Hyum Kim is a gerontologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and Dr. Harlan Krumbolz is Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) and Professor of Investigative Medicine and of Public Health (Health Policy) at the Yale School of Medicine.
