St. Luke’s Medical Center — Bonifacio Global City (St. Luke’s BGC) marked a major milestone on 14 January 2026 after successfully performing more than 300 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedures since the program began in 2012.

Led by Dr. Fabio Enrique Posas and the hospital’s cardiovascular care team, the achievement underscores the institution’s long-term commitment to making advanced cardiac interventions accessible to patients across the Philippines, including those from remote and underserved areas.

“When we started this journey over a decade ago, our goal was to ensure that this kind of advanced intervention would be made available locally, and that no one would have to travel abroad to receive world-class cardiac care,” Dr. Posas said.

TAVR is regarded as one of the most significant advances in heart surgery in recent years. Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, which requires a large incision and direct access to the chest, TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure.

Through the technique, physicians replace a diseased aortic valve using a bioprosthetic valve delivered via a catheter, typically inserted through the groin or wrist. This approach significantly reduces surgical trauma, shortens hospital stays, and accelerates patient recovery.

According to St. Luke’s cardiovascular team, most patients are discharged within three days after the procedure — a sharp contrast to the longer hospital stays commonly associated with conventional open-heart surgery.

The minimally invasive option is particularly beneficial for elderly patients and those considered high-risk for traditional surgery due to preexisting medical conditions.

While preparation and recovery vary per patient, the advantages of TAVR have made it a preferred treatment option for many individuals with severe aortic stenosis.

The milestone comes at a critical time, as heart disease remained among the country’s leading causes of death in 2025, with more than 200,000 recorded fatalities from January to April alone — highlighting the urgent need to expand access to advanced cardiac care.

Expanding services beyond Metro Manila is a central goal of the program. Dr. Posas is actively training physicians from hospitals and medical centers in various provinces, enabling them to perform TAVR with the same level of expertise available at St. Luke’s.

By strengthening local capabilities, more patients may soon access life-saving procedures without the financial and logistical burden of traveling long distances.

“What we’re doing, with what we do, is actually encouraging other institutions to improve their services,” Dr. Posas emphasized.