Andrea Johnson/MDN Dr. Nayan Desai examines patient Magdalena Duchsherer of Drake on Monday. Sanford Northwest Clinic has a 2-D echocardiogram machine, which means many Sanford patients can have tests done in Minot instead of traveling to Bismarck.

Magdalena Duchsherer of Drake said she is feeling a lot better these days since she had a transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure done at Sanford Health in Bismarck earlier this summer.

She and her daughter-in-law, Marsha Duchsherer, are also glad that Magdalena Duchsherer was able to have her follow-up echocardiogram done at Sanford Northwest Clinic in Minot instead of in Bismarck on Monday.

“It’s so much more convenient because it’s only half the way,” said Magdalena Duchsherer, 89.

Drake is about 120 miles from Bismarck but only about 50 miles from Minot.

Marsha Duchsherer, who drove her mother-in-law to her appointment at Sanford Northwest Clinic on Monday, said a trip to Bismarck would take a whole day but the trip to Minot meant they could go to and from the appointment and she would then have time to get baling done.

Sanford Northwest Clinic in Minot began using its 2-D echocardiogram machine for procedures earlier this summer, said Dr. Nayan Desai, an interventional cardiologist who travels to the clinic from Bismarck and sees patients on certain scheduled days.

Desai said the availability of the equipment is far more convenient for his patients. It will also be convenient for patients who won’t have to travel so far in the winter.

Sanford Northwest Clinic now offers full cardiology services and are served by Dr. Desai and cardiologist Dr. Diane Kraft. Desai’s cardiology patients will only have to travel to Sanford in Bismarck for more specialized procedures.

The transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure is less invasive than an open heart surgery procedure and seems to be getting good results. For instance, Magdalena Duchsherer was in congestive heart failure and was using a wheel chair when she had the procedure. Now she is able to resume her daily activities, her quality of life is dramatically improved and her life will also be extended, said Desai.

TAVR, according to an article at the American Heart Association website, essentially involves putting a new, collapsible valve inside the old, diseased valve, usually by guiding a catheter through the artery toward the heart, via a tiny incision in the patient’s leg. The collapsible valve is then expanded and takes over the job of regulating blood flow. TAVR is considered a good option for patients such as Magdalena Duchsherer, who might be at higher risk for open heart surgery because of other health conditions or due to age.

Desai said Sanford is the only healthcare system in the state that offers the TAVR procedure.

The 2-D echocardiogram machine at Sanford Northwest Clinic will likely be used for patients in other practice areas, such as patients with high risk pregnancies who need ultrasounds, said Jon Berg, senior media relations specialist for Sanford Health.