When 95-year-old Ventura Latorre arrived at Atrium Health Union West struggling to breathe, his family feared they were running out of time. Over the previous six weeks, the once-energetic father and grandfather had been hospitalized twice for worsening heart failure. He went from brisk daily walks and independent living to relying on a walker and fighting to stay awake.
“He went downhill fast,” his son Richard said. “Just weeks earlier he was cooking, driving and going to the gym. Suddenly, he was barely eating and getting sicker by the day. We knew he wasn’t going to survive much longer.”
What the family didn’t know then: Ventura’s heart valve had become critically narrowed due to severe aortic stenosis, a condition that restricts blood flow out of the heart. Without intervention, patients can experience sudden worsening of symptoms — or even death.
His family made a quick decision. They chose to go directly to Atrium Health, hoping he could be evaluated by the structural heart team at Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute.
“They saved his life,” Richard said.
A High-Risk Case — and a Team Willing to Listen
After stabilizing at Union West, Ventura was transferred to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center. There, the family met Dr. Michael Rinaldi, interventional cardiologist and medical director of Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute’s Structural Heart Program.
Rinaldi didn’t sugarcoat the situation.
“Ventura was very frail and very sick,” Rinaldi explained. “At 95, one complication can bring down the whole house of cards. But his family showed us videos of him walking, robust and enjoying life just weeks earlier. They knew who he truly was, outside of a hospital bed and we took that seriously.”
Ventura also had a leaking mitral valve, reduced heart function and repeated fluid overload. The procedure he needed — TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) which is a minimally invasive but still carries risk, especially for elderly patients with multiple medical problems.
The family understood the stakes. They also believed there was no other chance to save him.
“We told them, ‘Either you do this procedure or he’s going to die,’” his son said. “We were praying they’d take the risk. And they did.”
Rinaldi credits shared decision-making as the centerpiece of the team’s approach.
“We were honest about the risks,” he said. “But we also listened. Ninety-five-year-olds’ lives are valuable too. Our job is to educate, to hear what families want and to make thoughtful decisions together.”
The Procedure That Changed Everything
On the day of the TAVR procedure, the family brought chocolate-covered fruit to the nursing team in gratitude for their care. Ventura was in a fragile state, but Rinaldi and his team moved forward.
“Repairing his valve really helped him,” Rinaldi said. “The moment we restored blood flow, everything changed.”
Ventura’s recovery was not just good — it was extraordinary.
Within days, he was breathing comfortably and walking again. Three weeks later he returned to the gym. A follow-up echocardiogram showed his heart’s pumping ability — measured by ejection fraction — had improved from 35% to 55%, considered low-normal. His once-severe mitral valve regurgitation improved to mild.
“He’s like Lazarus,” his son said. “They brought him back from the dead. Now he’s jogging up our driveway and climbing 10 flights of stairs without getting out of breath.”
A Heart Team Committed to Every Patient
Throughout their journey, the family says they felt supported at every step — from the emergency department at Atrium Health Union West to the inpatient team and structural heart specialists at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center. They described the care as attentive, compassionate and steady during some of the most uncertain days of their father’s life.
“The whole Sanger team was top-notch,” his son said. “If I ever need heart surgery, I’m going to Atrium Health without hesitation.”
For Dr. Rinaldi, Ventura’s case reflects something larger than one successful procedure.
“This is what happens when teams slow down, listen deeply and look beyond the chart,” he said. “It’s not just about technology — it’s about understanding a patient’s life, their goals and their family’s hopes. That’s what guides us.”
What TAVR Means for Older Patients
Years ago, older adults in their 80s and 90s were rarely candidates for valve replacement because open-heart surgery carried too much risk. Today, minimally invasive approaches like TAVR are transforming what’s possible.
At Sanger, many patients undergoing TAVR are in their late 80s or 90s. Each case involves an in-depth evaluation of the patient’s overall health, anatomy and quality-of-life goals. Teams spend significant time ensuring families fully understand the risks, benefits and expected outcomes.
“We can help many patients who never would’ve had options before,” Rinaldi said. “But the key is careful evaluation — sometimes less is more, and sometimes more is life-changing. Ventura’s case shows what happens when we get that balance right.”
A Life Reclaimed
Today, Ventura is back to walking, exercising and enjoying time with his seven children and 11 grandchildren. He’s returned to the activities he loves and is regaining the independence that defined his life before he became sick.
“We’re so impressed with Atrium Health — the doctors, nurses, everyone,” his son said. “This procedure didn’t just save my dad’s life. It gave us our dad back.”
Related Posts
News
From Frail to Full Strength: How a 95-Year-Old Regained His Life After Heart Valve Procedure at Atrium Health
News
Stroke Can’t Stop Santa: Patient Delivers Holiday Cheer at Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation
