A heart that beats for family and dogs

Dale Marlatt has spent over 53 years with his beloved wife, Joyce. They have raised two children and always had at least one dog, usually more, and a cat or two.

Being surrounded by family and pets (whom Dale considers family) is what makes him happy. They make his heartbeat with joy.

“As it became harder to breathe while doing everyday activities, I knew I had to do something,” Dale said. “Too many loved ones were counting on me.”

Dale requested advice from his doctor and was referred to Kinan Kassar, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Interventional and Structural Cardiologist, and Trevor Ellison, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Medical Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute.

This was when Dale learned his aortic valve between the lower left heart chamber and the body’s main artery, called the aorta, had narrowed, leading to a condition called aortic stenosis. The disease reduces blood flow from the heart to the body.

Dale’s choice

After meeting with Dr. Kassar and Dr. Ellison, Dale knew he was in the right place. “They explained everything in detail,” said Dale. “They made me feel relaxed and confident in choosing Genesis for help, which was important as my life was on the line.”

Soon after, Dale was scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). It is a minimally invasive alternative to open heart surgery.

“We started performing TAVR at Genesis in 2019,” said Dr. Kassar. “As a minimally invasive procedure, it offers several benefits, including a much faster healing process.”

Replacing heart valves through a tube 

Dr. Kassar and Dr. Ellison performed the TAVR procedure by inserting a small tube called a catheter through the skin in his right groin and into the blood vessel.

They then maneuvered the artificial valve through Dale’s body until it reached the damaged valve. At that point, the valve expanded and replaced the damaged valve and returned blood flow to normal.

“TAVR was the easiest surgery I ever had,” said Dale.

“I felt 10 years younger as soon as I came out of surgery.”

Dale spent one night in the hospital before returning home to his wife, dogs and cats.

“The procedure changed everything in my life,” said Dale. “I am stronger and able to breathe much better.”