For Bobby and Marianne Moore, the golden years of retirement in Baker County, Georgia, have been a time of faith, family and productivity. At 86, Bobby maintains a thriving vegetable garden rooted in his farming background, while his wife Marianne, plays the piano for the congregation at Notchaway Baptist Church in nearby Colquitt. The couple has shared their love and wisdom with their two children and two grandchildren, cultivating a life marked by dedication and care.
An unexpected health challenge
However, their retirement routine was upended when Bobby began to experience difficulty breathing. The pair took a visit to their family physician in Dothan, Alabama, who revealed the cause: Bobby had a leaky heart valve. This condition, also known as valve regurgitation, occurs when a valve of the heart does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward in the heart.
A leaky valve can cause the heart to work harder, adding strain and causing symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, heart palpitations and can even lead to heart failure or stroke if not treated.
The doctor recommended Bobby undergo a minimally-invasive procedure for a MitraClip to solve the problem. It would consist of doctors inserting a thin tube, called a catheter, in Bobby’s leg and guiding it through a vein to access his heart. Once there, the doctors would implant a small clip to the mitral valve to help it close more quickly.
Although a MitraClip procedure is far less invasive and risky than open heart surgery, the doctor wanted Bobby to have it done in Birmingham, Alabama — a 4-hour trip the Moores were hesitant to make.
“It’s so expensive going up there, just in travel alone,” Marianne shared. “We’ve done it before, and it takes two to three days just for a first trip. They expect us to come back every time they need to see him again. We didn’t have anyone to drive us either. I just knew there had to be a better option.”
Finding hope close to home
Determined to find a solution closer to their home, Bobby and Marianne’s research led them to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH). Despite initial hesitation from Bobby’s physician, they advocated for a referral to TMH, the most advanced heart and vascular center in the region and only an hour’s drive from their home.
“When we got our appointment, everything got rolling,” Marianne recalled. “We went in on Monday, and by Thursday, they had done everything Bobby needed. They tested his heart, placed a temporary pacemaker, completed the MitraClip procedure, and implanted a permanent pacemaker and defibrillator. Our son came to pick us up, and we were able to go home.”
A minimally invasive solutionAt TMH’s Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, or Cath Lab, Pablo A. Rengifo-Moreno, MD an Interventional Cardiologist who specializes in structural heart procedures, performed Bobby’s MitraClip procedure — a minimally invasive technique that uses a catheter to access the mitral valve through a vein in the leg. By attaching a small clip to the valve, the procedure helps restore normal blood flow to the heart.
“This type of transcatheter mitral valve repair avoids the higher risks of traditional surgery, like opening the chest or stopping the heart,” Dr. Rengifo-Moreno explained. “The MitraClip is smaller than a dime, making it ideal for catheter placement. Most patients, like Mr. Moore, can return home in three days or less.”
Patient-centered care beyond the hospital
Understanding the difficulty the Moores faced in returning for follow-ups, the team at TMH arranged for Bobby’s ongoing care to occur closer to his home in Dothan.
“We worked with a wonderful woman, Marie Strickland (TMH’s Structural Heart Navigator and Valve Clinic Coordinator). She understood our situation and made sure Bobby could go to the vascular clinic in Dothan for follow-ups,” Marianne said. “She has checked in to ensure his doctors have everything they need. She’s been very nice to work with.”
Back to the garden
With Bobby’s breathing improved and his heart rate stabilized, he’s back to enjoying his retirement. Already, his garden is sprouting potatoes and onions, with plans for squash, okra and tomatoes as the weather warms.
“That MitraClip took his breathing to another level,” Marianne noted. “He’s out there mowing the lawn, planting, doing everything he loves.”
A message of encouragement
For others considering a similar path, Marianne offers heartfelt advice: “Go there, put it in the hands of the people at TMH, and they’ll take care of it.”
Take the next step
If you or a loved one are facing a heart health challenge, don’t hesitate to ask for a referral or reach out to our team at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. With compassionate, patient-centered care, fellowship-trained physicians and advanced treatment options, we are here to help you navigate your heart health journey.
Visit TMH.ORG/Heart to see what we can do for your heart.
Members of the editorial and news staff of USA TODAY Network were not involved in the creation of this content.
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