Greig Cuthers (front) and Dr John Ormiston

New Zealand is leading the way in introducing new medical technology to the Asia Pacific Region. A revolutionary technique, which allows the Aortic Heart Valve to be replaced percutaneously (without surgery) has been successfully performed at Mercy Angiography in Auckland.

Mercy Angiography Medical Director Dr. John Ormiston, an internationally recognised interventional cardiologist, led  the team that conducted the first percutaneous aortic valve replacement (PAVR) with a leading French cardiologist, Dr Jean-Claude Laborde. As stated by Dr Ormiston, with this technology, a new valve can be positioned from a small hole made in the groin and there is no need for major surgery or incision in the chest. the recovery is much quicker and the procedure can be performed on patients unsuitable or very high risk for traditional valve surgery.

Four carefully selected patients were the first to benefit from this procedure.
Currently PAVR is used for selected high-risk patients only, but if good long term results are sustained, PAVR may substitute for traditional aortic valve replacement surgery in some patients. The first procedures in Auckland were largely funded by a charitable trust and waived fees from the medical team involved.

Mercy Angiography is the largest private angiography facility in New Zealand.

Related Links:

 CoreValve successfully treats the first Pacific Rim patients
 CoreValve announces successful completion of initial series
  'Good as new' a day after heart op 
  Learn more about Percutaneous Aortic Valve Replacement (PAVR)

Video Demonstrations:

  View PAVR procedural animation
  View CoreValve Prosthesis deployment: Radiographic illustration
  View TV3 Close Up: PAVR video