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Pima Heart and Vascular is proud to announce that Dr. Thomas Waggoner, Cardiologist for Pima Heart and Vascular, successfully conducted the 4th Millipede Transcatheter Annuloplasty Ring System implant in the world and 3rd in the United States.

“We are honored and privileged to be one of the very first cardiovascular centers in the world to implant the Millipede transcatheter mitral repair system and offer our patients the most leading-edge technology for their cardiovascular care.”  – Thomas Waggoner, DO, FACC, FSCAI, FSVM, RPVI

The Millipede Transcatheter Annuloplasty Ring System is a repair device used for treating mitral valve regurgitation (MR). The system consists of several components: a transcatheter annuloplasty ring (implant) which remains in the body and a delivery system and intracardiac echocardiography catheter (imaging device) used to deliver the implant to the mitral valve.

There are only few sites trusted with an early feasibility study for this system, and Pima Heart & Vascular was 1 of the 11 sites selected. The Principal Investigator, Dr. Thomas Waggoner, was the primary implanter, and Sub-Investigators on this study are Dr. William Thomas and Dr. Neil Gheewala.

“Being selected on an early feasibility is a testament of the programs’ (both clinical research, fellowships, and structural heart disease), the clinical team, and physicians’ work. More importantly, our team is grateful that we are able to bring in this leading-edge device to our community.” – Natalia Elias Calles, MPH, Director of Clinical Research at TMC HealthCare

At Pima Heart and Vascular, we have expert and highly trained physicians who offer comprehensive services including disease prevention, advanced diagnostics, cardiac and pulmonary disease management, cardiothoracic surgery, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology studies, structural heart care, sleep studies and nuclear medicine. Through continued research and innovative treatment methods, our physicians provide comprehensive care and superior outcomes. We offer same-day, next-day, and virtual appointments at one of our many offices throughout Southern Arizona as well as at our Vascular Lab, Vein Center, Ambulatory Surgery Center, and at most area hospitals. To schedule an appointment, call (520) 838-3540.