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Heart Surgery Without the Big Cut: The Magic of THVR
One In-Person Session
Tue., May 13, 2025, 6:30-8 pm MT
FREE

It’s called transcatheter heart valve replacement (THVR) and it’s revolutionizing how physicians are treating structural heart disease. “In essence, THVR combines advanced engineering and clinical expertise to replace damaged heart valves and transform patient care,” says DU mechanical engineering professor Dr. Ali Azadani. “It’s also important to note that THVR is a minimally invasive procedure that replaces valves without the need for open-heart surgery, so it significantly reduces recovery time and associated risks. The data points are in and we know that THVR has demonstrated remarkable success and improved patient outcomes.” Azadani adds that from an engineering standpoint, the transcatheter valves’ design relies on intricate computer simulation that ensures precise fit, durability and functionality, while also allowing healthcare workers to better predict potential issues, such as blood clot formation. In this single in-person session, Azadani takes you behind the scenes where he shares the details of how the engineering and medical worlds merged to create THVR, how it came to market and why it works so well. Azadani also explores how combining engineering excellence with clinical insights is allowing THVR to continue to evolve, offering patient-specific therapeutic strategies and advancing cardiovascular healthcare. Come away with a fresh understanding of one of medicine’s biggest breakthroughs in cardiac care.

is a professor of mechanical engineering and the director of DU’s Cardiovascular Biomechanics Lab, which he established in 2013. He researches structural heart disease, particularly the development of transcatheter heart valve replacements and patient-specific therapeutic strategies. His lab is recognized for its expertise in computational modeling and experimental testing of cardiovascular devices.