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Trinity Health is excited to announce that the first two Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedures in the northwest North Dakota region’s history were successfully performed recently.

The clinical leadership of Drs. Isaac Tea, MD, MSc, FACC, FSCAI, Interventional Cardiologist; Peter Mikhail, MD, FRCS (C), FACS, Cardiothoracic Surgeon; and Samir Turk, MD, Interventional Cardiologist, helped bring this transformational procedure to the region. Both procedures were performed by Drs. Isaac Tea and Sean Russell, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon.

The innovative, advanced TAVR procedure is a minimally invasive procedure for patients with severe aortic stenosis, in which the heart’s aortic valve has become narrowed or stiff. This procedure utilizes a catheter that goes through a small incision in the leg/groin area to replace the damaged heart valve without needing to remove it.

“Dr. Tea’s and Dr. Russell’s leadership in performing Trinity Health’s first TAVR procedures marks a significant milestone for our cardiac program and organization. This program is about expanding access to advanced cardiac care. Patients with severe aortic stenosis in our region have often had to travel significant distances to receive this type of advanced heart treatment,” said Amy Bergrude, RN, Service Line Administrator (Cardiovascular & Orthopedic Services) at Trinity Health. “Bringing TAVR to the Minot region allows patients to receive this care closer to home and their families. It took tremendous collaboration across our cardiovascular program to reach this milestone, and we are very proud of what this means for patients throughout our region.”

The addition of the TAVR program to Trinity Health’s services reflects the organization’s mission to expand access to advanced heart care throughout the region, reducing the need for patients to travel for specialized treatment.

Expanding access to care through the addition of the TAVR program was made possible by community support at the Trinity Health Foundation Heart of Gold Fundraising Gala in March 2026. The funds raised have helped bring lifesaving, minimally invasive treatment options, like the TAVR program, to patients throughout the region.