Northwest Health Reaches Two Major Milestones in Advanced Cardiac Care
5/28/2026
Northwest Health - Porter recently celebrated a major cardiovascular milestone with the completion of its 1,000th left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) procedure, while also recognizing another key procedural achievement that highlights the continued growth of its heart program and commitment to advanced patient care.
Left atrial appendage closure procedures are designed for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm disorder that significantly increases the risk of stroke. The minimally invasive procedure implants a permanent device that closes off a small area of the heart where blood clots can form, helping reduce stroke risk and potentially allowing patients to discontinue long-term blood thinner medications over time.
The hospital also recently completed its 500th transcather aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure – a minimally invasive heart procedure used to treat aortic stenosis, a condition in which the heart’s aortic valve becomes narrowed and does not open properly. This condition affects up to 2.5 million Americans, and the TAVR procedure can help improve blood flow while reducing symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue – offering patients a less invasive alternative to traditional open-heart surgery.
An estimated 6 million Americans are affected by atrial fibrillation, which causes the heart’s upper chambers to beat irregularly and increases stroke risk by up to five times. While blood-thinning medications are commonly prescribed to help reduce that risk, many patients are unable to tolerate them because of bleeding concerns or other complications.
Northwest Health - Porter was among the first hospitals in northern Indiana approved to use left atrial appendage closure implant devices in 2016 and has continued to expand its structural heart program in the years since. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes about an hour.
Northwest Health provides cardiovascular services across Northern Indiana through its hospitals in Valparaiso, LaPorte and Knox, offering patients access to diagnostic, interventional and surgical heart care services.
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