Holston Valley Medical Center performs first procedure using new minimally invasive heart valve replacement technology

Hospital among first 60 in the nation to offer Edwards SAPIEN M3 system

Patients across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia now have access to one of the newest treatments for heart valve disease without having to travel far from home.

On Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, interventional cardiologist Dr. Gaurav Rana, cardiac surgeon Dr. Stanley Gall and non-invasive cardiologist Dr. Anjali Sharma performed the first procedure using the Edwards SAPIEN M3™ system at Holston Valley Medical Center, making the hospital among the first 60 hospitals nationwide to offer this technology. The procedure offers a new way to replace a damaged mitral heart valve without open-heart surgery.

The Edwards SAPIEN M3™ system is designed for patients with a wide range of mitral valve disease, including mitral regurgitation, a condition in which one of the heart’s valves does not close properly, and mitral valve stenosis, a condition in which the mitral valve does not open properly. Both conditions make it harder for the heart to pump blood throughout the body.

This transcatheter procedure does not require open-heart surgery. Doctors guide the new valve through a catheter placed in a blood vessel in the leg. The new valve is placed while the heart continues beating. Most patients can go home the next day and return to normal activities much sooner than they could after traditional open-heart surgery.

“Being chosen as one of only a small number of hospitals in the country to offer this technology is an incredible honor,” said Love Hobson, vice president of cardiovascular services for Ballad Health. “It reflects the skill of our cardiovascular team and our commitment to expanding treatment options for patients with complex heart conditions. Our patients deserve access to the care they need without having to leave the region.”

“Our team continues to find new ways to bring advanced treatments to the people we serve,” said Kevin Rinks, CEO of Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital. “For eligible patients, having this procedure available at Holston Valley means they can receive specialized heart care closer to their families, support systems and homes.”

Heart valve disease often develops slowly, and many people mistake the symptoms for simply getting older. Patients should talk with their healthcare provider if they notice:

• Shortness of breath
• Increasing exercise intolerance
• Increasing fatigue/tiredness
• Swelling in the feet or legs
• Increased coughing at night due to congestive heart failure

“Many people live with heart valve disease for years without knowing it,” said Rana. “The good news is that getting checked is simple. If we find a problem, our heart team can determine the best treatment. For some patients, this new procedure gives us another way to treat a damaged mitral valve without traditional open-heart surgery.”

Dr. Rana said the minimally invasive approach can be especially important for patients at higher risk for traditional surgery. “Every patient is different, and our goal is to find the safest and most effective treatment for each person,” Dr. Rana said. “For the right patients, the SAPIEN M3 system can provide a less invasive option, which may mean a shorter hospital stay and a faster return to everyday activities.”

Holston Valley Medical Center is nationally recognized for its structural heart program and offers many minimally invasive treatments for patients with heart valve disease and other complex heart conditions. The addition of the Edwards SAPIEN M3 system gives more patients access to advanced care that was previously available at only a limited number of hospitals across the country.

“Heart valve disease is often progressive, but it is also highly treatable when identified early,” Hobson said. “Anyone experiencing symptoms or who has been told they have a heart murmur should speak with their primary care provider or cardiologist. Our team can evaluate each patient and determine whether advanced therapies like the SAPIEN M3 system are appropriate, ensuring patients receive the right treatment at the right time.”