Vicich, who goes by "Bingo Irene" at church, had a heart attack in August. Doctors told her she needed an aortic valve replacement, or she would only have weeks to live. She decided to go for the surgery, and instead of open heart surgery, her doctors recommended a newer, less invasive technique: trans-catheter aortic valve replacement [TAVR].
Doctor Nouri Al-Khaled at Christ Medical Center fed a catheter through a groin artery to Vicich's heart. He said someday this procedure may be used for any patient who needs a heart valve replacement because it's an easier recovery and has less risk of complications.
One week later, Bingo Irene is back home, and ready to go out dancing to celebrate her 101st birthday.
