A Volusia County resident is regaining his strength after undergoing a new minimally invasive heart procedure at AdventHealth Daytona Beach, according to a Mar. 30 announcement from the hospital.
The development is significant for patients who are not candidates for open-heart surgery, as it provides an alternative treatment option for those suffering from severe heart valve conditions.
Mark Sorenson, 77, of Port Orange, experienced years of fatigue and swelling due to a leaking tricuspid valve. “I just did not feel well all the time,” Sorenson said. “The swelling was constant. It was uncomfortable, but more than that, it was concerning. I didn’t know what was wrong, and that weighs on you.” After being referred to AdventHealth Daytona Beach and diagnosed with a malfunctioning heart valve causing fluid buildup, Sorenson became the first patient at the hospital in February to receive a transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement—a less invasive alternative now available locally.
Dr. Dinesh Arab and Dr. Cary Meyers led the procedure by guiding a thin tube through a vein in Sorenson’s leg to reach his heart and placing a replacement valve inside the damaged one without open-heart surgery. “For a long time, his valve was leaking severely, and it was making him very sick,” Arab said. “Many patients with this condition are high risk for open-heart surgery, so treatment options have been limited. Now we’re able to treat this in a less invasive way and help them feel better.” Since then, Sorenson has noticed improvements: “I feel better than I have in a long time,” he said.
Dr. David Sinclair, president and CEO of AdventHealth Daytona Beach, said this milestone reflects broader efforts to expand advanced cardiac care in the region: “We’re here to help people feel like themselves again,” Sinclair said. “When someone who’s been struggling for years can finally breathe easier, walk farther, and return to the life they love, that’s what this work is all about.” The hospital has recently expanded its cardiovascular services by adding advanced procedures such as structural heart treatments including LAMPOON procedures and robotic-assisted cardiac surgery; an ongoing expansion will increase critical care capacity dedicated to heart care with completion expected in September.
AdventHealth Orlando—the flagship location—was founded in 1908 in Orlando, Florida; its current president is Terry Shaw. The hospital includes pediatric wards and serves as a training facility according to official information.
