Rarely used procedure helps retired preacher's heart beat strong

Tommy Butler, 63, was born with a narrowing of the aorta above the heart, meaning his heart had to work harder to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body.

By 1988, Butler’s aortic valve began failing, so he got a new pig valve in its place. Later, he had heart bypass surgery, and by 2006, the pig valve was failing.

He had to retire as pastor of a Union County church, and his only hope was a fourth major heart surgery, but he barely survived the last one. Three hospitals said no.

Last December, Butler came to First Health Moore Regional Hospital with chest pain. Heart surgeon Dr. Peter Ellman and interventional cardiologist Dr. Steven Filby said they knew one minimally invasive option was now possible.

“It was an option that we wouldn't have had even three or four years ago,” Ellman said.

Through an incision between two ribs, Ellman created a small access point through the bottom tip of the heart. Filby then used a catheter to reach the failing valve. A balloon then expanded a new stent valve, pushing the old valve aside.

“Once the valve gets fully deployed, the balloon gets deflated and the delivery system gets withdrawn,” Filby said.

There's not a lot of long-term research about the life of the stent valve, but Butler's doctors says it should work well for at least 10 years.