At 94, Jackie Returns to Dancing After Transcatheter Heart Procedure at OU Health

At 94 years old, Jackie Smith of Midwest City, OK still gets her hair done every Friday. She goes to lunch with her girlfriends every other Monday and meets her high school classmates from Will Rogers High School in Tulsa on the first Tuesday of every month. And until recently, she was taking ballroom dancing lessons every week with the same instructor she has had for more than 25 years.

Jackie has more energy and a busier social life than many people half her age. So, when she felt herself tiring more than usual, she knew something was off.

Answers That Led to Action

Jackie’s cardiologist ran tests which revealed that her aortic valve had narrowed significantly, with blood flow reduced to about 30% of normal. Her heart was working harder than it should, and over time, that was wearing her down.

For most of her life, Jackie — a retired nurse practitioner born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and raised in Tulsa — had been active and well. She raised a family in Midwest City, Oklahoma, where she and her husband, an ophthalmologist, built their practice and their life together after relocating from Kansas City in 1965. She has lived independently in the same home for 18 years. The idea that her heart was starting to limit her active lifestyle was something Jackie was not happy about.

When her cardiology care team at OU Health, the University of Oklahoma's academic health system, identified a procedure that could help Jackie without requiring open-heart surgery, the decision felt straightforward.

“She didn't hesitate,” said Carla, Jackie’s daughter. “Once they explained what was possible, she was ready. That’s just who she is.”

Leading her team was OU Health interventional and structural cardiologist Dr. Parasuram Melarcode Krishnamoorthy, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, associate professor of medicine in the Department of Interventional Cardiology at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.

What Is a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement?

The heart’s aortic valve opens and closes with every heartbeat, directing blood from the heart out to the rest of the body. When that valve narrows and stiffens — a condition called aortic stenosis — the heart has to work much harder to push blood through, which over time causes fatigue, shortness of breath and a gradual loss of energy. Left untreated, severe aortic stenosis can be life-threatening.

For decades, the only way to fix a damaged aortic valve was through open-heart surgery. It was a major procedure that carried significant risk, particularly for older patients or those with other health conditions. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, commonly known as TAVR, changed that.

TAVR allows doctors to replace a failing heart valve without opening the chest. Instead, a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is guided through a small incision typically in the groin, all the way to the heart, where a new valve is carefully put in place while the heart keeps beating. There are no large incisions and no need to stop the heart. The procedure typically takes less than two hours, and most patients are up and moving within a day, compared to a 10- to 14-day hospital stay following traditional open-heart surgery.

Research shows that elderly patients who undergo TAVR have significantly better survival rates both at 30 days and one year after the procedure, along with a faster, more complete return to quality of life. Age alone is not a barrier. TAVR is specifically designed to offer a safer path forward for patients who are older, frail, or living with other health conditions that would make traditional surgery too risky.

How the Procedure Works — A Quick Breakdown

• A catheter is inserted through a small incision
• The new valve is guided into place
• The heart continues beating during the procedure
• No large incisions or a bypass machine are required
• Most patients walk the same day and go home within 24–48 hours

A Historic First for Oklahoma City — and Why It Matters for Patients

Jackie's procedure was not only life-changing for her — it marked a milestone for the entire region. On Jan. 12, 2026, she became the first patient in Oklahoma City to receive the Abbott Navitor™ valve, a next-generation self-expanding TAVR device approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for older adults and others at high risk for open-heart surgery.

“The Navitor™ valve is specifically designed to address one of the more challenging aspects of TAVR — patients with a smaller aortic valve opening, such as Jackie’s,” Dr. Krishnamoorthy said. “It offers superior blood flow performance and easier access for any future procedures if ever needed and shows what is now possible in structural heart care.”

OU Health’s ability to perform this procedure using the Abbott Navitor™ valve reflects the expertise and dedication of Dr. Krishnamoorthy and his team.

Why Was OU Health the Right Place for Jackie’s Procedure?

At OU Health, Dr. Krishnamoorthy, inaugural director of the structural heart program, specializes in complex heart valve interventions and has performed more than 1,000 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures in his career. He leads a highly specialized team with the training, technology, and experience required for complex cardiac care, bringing advanced treatment options close to home for patients who once had to travel out of state.

“As a family, knowing she wouldn’t have to go through open-heart surgery at 94 was a huge relief,” Carla said. “The team at OU Health was so thorough in explaining everything. We felt like we were in really good hands.”

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Transcatheter Valve Procedure?

Good candidates often include:

• Adults over 65
• People with multiple health conditions
• Patients wanting to avoid open heart surgery
• Individuals experiencing progressive fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath

This procedure may not be ideal if:

• Open-heart surgery is required for other conditions
• The patient’s body isn’t shaped in a way that allows for this procedure.

What Was Jackie’s Recovery Like?

Jackie was expected to stay one night at the hospital after the procedure, but her team kept her for a few days to make sure her blood pressure, and oxygen levels were stable.

The first week at home was rough for Jackie as she had the flu and was coughing a lot. The coughing was exhausting and she had no appetite, but by the third week, she had turned a corner. The fatigue lifted, and her appetite came back. She started doing her usual exercises and walking laps around her cul-de-sac. At the follow-up appointment, Jackie’s echocardiogram looked good. She had no dizziness or headaches, and her blood pressure was in a manageable range. And then came the news she had really been waiting for.

When Could Jackie Return to Dancing?

At her cardiology checkup, Jackie was given the green light to return to ballroom dancing once a week. More than that, Jackie’s nurse told her it was exactly the kind of exercise her heart needed.

Jackie had danced in her last competition in Oct. 2025 — a big event that included a performance with her instructor and his partner. Carla described it as her mother’s last hurrah before the procedure. Now she is heading back to the studio, to the teacher she has worked with for more than two decades.

She is also busy working to get her driving privileges back. Independence has always mattered to Jackie.

“She wears me out, honestly,” Carla said with a laugh. “But watching her come back to herself after the procedure — back to her routines, her friends, her dancing — that has been everything. OU Health didn't just fix her heart. They gave Jackie her life back.”

Dr. Krishnamoorthy said this achievement marks a significant advancement in OU Health’s ability to deliver the most up-to-date, minimally invasive therapies for patients with complex heart valve disease right in our community.

“The successful procedure underscores our commitment to providing a full spectrum of advanced treatment options for both valvular (aortic, mitral, and tricuspid) and non-valvular structural heart conditions,” he said. “A defining feature of the OU Health structural heart program is its integrated, team-based approach. Patients benefit from a multidisciplinary approach among cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac imaging specialists, heart failure experts, and cardiac anesthesiologists — ensuring seamless, coordinated care tailored to each individual.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is 94 too old for a transcatheter heart procedure?
A: No. Age alone does not determine eligibility. Many patients in their 80s and 90s tolerate TAVR-type procedures very well.

Q: How long is the recovery from a transcatheter valve procedure?
A: Most patients resume light activity within days and return to normal routines within weeks.

Q: Is TAVR safe for people with multiple health conditions?
A: Yes. It is specifically designed for patients who may not tolerate open-heart surgery.

Q: What is the Abbott Navitor™ valve?
A: The Abbott Navitor™ is a next-generation, FDA-approved self-expanding TAVR device designed for elderly, frail patients at high surgical risk. It offers superior blood flow performance and is particularly well suited for patients with a smaller aortic valve opening.

Q: Who performs these procedures at OU Health?
A: Dr. Parasuram Melarcode Krishnamoorthy and a team of multidisciplinary experts who all form part of the structural heart program.

How Is Jackie Doing Today?

OU Health gave Jackie more than just a repaired valve. It was more energy, more capacity, and more years to keep doing what she loves. At 94, Jackie is already thinking about her next dance lesson, her next lunch with the girls, and catching up with old school friends in Tulsa.

Her story is also a reminder that a diagnosis of severe aortic stenosis is not the end of the road and that age is not a reason to stop asking what is possible.

If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of heart valve disease — including unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, or reduced energy — talk to your doctor about whether a structural heart evaluation at OU Health may be right for you. To schedule an appointment, visit the cardiac experts at OU Health or call (572) 244-0079.