A specialist heart team at The James Cook University Hospital have been named as Heart Team of the Year at the first Global Cardiovascular Awards 2024.
The Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) team scooped the title at London’s Grand Sheraton Hotel on Thursday 14 March.
The awards which are held in partnership with the World Heart Federation celebrate the outstanding contributions to cardiovascular disease treatment worldwide.
TAVI is a minimally invasive heart valve replacement procedure that provides an alternative to open heart surgery for people with aortic stenosis, a disease particularly affecting people aged over 65.
Hilary Hall, service manager in cardiothoracic and vascular care services said: “I am absolutely delighted that the TAVI team have been recognised by this award – underlining the huge team effort that has gone into developing a service that continues to be at the forefront of developments in TAVI services internationally, innovating successfully, increasing efficiency, all whilst dedicated to improving the service experience for patients.”
James Cook is recognised as an International Benchmark centre for TAVI and have pioneered many developments in the UK including the creation of a specialist nurse role to manage patient pathways and a single-point-of-access referral for all patients.
Paul Williams, consultant cardiologist added:
We're very proud that James Cook and the Teesside region have been recognised with this international award. Our unit aims to be at the forefront of minimally invasive treatments for heart valve disease and we have several new developments in progress. Watch this space.”