During assessment of a hip injury, patient Debbie Davis was found to have a failing aortic valve. But a congenital abnormality made the typical valve-replacement approach risky, and the impending hip repair meant she wasn't viable for open-heart surgery.  What to do?

UW Medicine cardiologist Danny Dvir pioneered a technique that involved cutting her aortic valve -- via catheter -- that reduced the risk of the replacement-valve implant.  Davis is recovering well at home in Ellensburg, Washington.

He discusses the topic in this downloadable video segment.  Read the blog item here.