KC's Rocket Man Undergoes TAVR for Severe Aortic Stenosis

Mix93.3 FM’s morning radio personality Rocket is doing the same job today he wanted to do as a kid. "I am happy to go to work every day," he said. "I want to wake up and talk to Kansas City every morning. It's the most amazing thing if I can make one person laugh, get them through the day, play their favorite song or give them hope."

But in December 2019, Rocket’s life changed. "I had been having trouble breathing, but I thought it was my COPD or asthma acting up," Rocket recalled. "I thought it would go away." When his condition worsened, Rocket’s daughter convinced him to go to North Kansas City Hospital's emergency room.

Undiagnosed Heart Problem

In the ER, Rocket learned he was in heart failure and had severe aortic stenosis. His symptoms were severe. "His heart function had started to decline, and he was having a lot of issues with heart failure," said James Mitchell, MD, the Meritas Health interventional cardiologist who treated Rocket.

"It was good he came to the hospital when he did because his condition was life threatening," Dr. Mitchell added. "Once someone develops symptoms of severe aortic stenosis, if the valve isn't fixed, they will likely die within two years.

Rocket's heart failure and severe aortic stenosis were caused by bicuspid aortic valve disease, a rare heart condition that affects 1%-2% of the population. BAVD is a birth defect that occurs when the heart’s aortic valve has two leaflets instead of the three needed to properly regulate blood flow.

BAVD and related severe aortic stenosis often go undetected for years because symptoms develop slowly.

"Many people don't realize they have aortic stenosis until it's progressed far down the road," Dr. Mitchell said. "Someone in their 80s may think their increasing shortness of breath and fatigue is because of their age. With Rocket, he started noticing fatigue but didn't realize it could be heart-related because of his fairly young age."

Lifesaving TAVR Treatment

Based on his diagnosis, Rocket needed his heart valve replaced, but his overall health put him at too high of a risk for open heart surgery. Fortunately, he qualified for transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR

"TAVR is basically a valve on a stent," Dr. Mitchell explained. "We sedate the patient and insert a thin catheter with the valve attached into a small incision in the groin. Under X-ray, we guide the catheter to the heart and implant the new valve inside the old one."

The TAVR procedure takes about 45 minutes and usually requires an overnight hospital stay. "Recovery time with TAVR is just a couple of days after you go home instead of the two months with open heart surgery," Dr. Mitchell said.

Moving Forward

As his first step toward a full recovery, Rocket started NKCH’s cardiac rehabilitation program. Cardiac rehab helps people rebuild their strength and endurance after a major heart event.

Then COVID-19 hit. The hospital temporarily discontinued its cardiac rehab program. Gyms closed, too. Rocket had few options for regular exercise, which was essential to his recovery.

"I worried I'd end up back in the hospital," he said. "All I could think of was my daughter and how I wanted to be here for her. She is the No. 1 thing in my life. I live for her."

With support and encouragement from his daughter, his radio team and legions of loyal listeners, Rocket kept moving forward. He found ways to exercise, made changes to his diet and worked to keep his stress level low.

At his one-year checkup, the news was good. “Rocket’s heart function had completely come back to normal," Dr. Mitchell said. "His new valve works perfectly, and all of his symptoms of heart failure have resolved."

"It's scary when the doctor says you are lucky to be alive,” Rocket said. “The doctors, nurses and staff saved my life. I can never repay them. To be here is amazing. We think we're invincible, but we're not. This is the only life we have, so we need to take care of ourselves."

Aortic Stenosis: Explore Your Options

"One of the most important points from Rocket's story is that if you are diagnosed with aortic stenosis, make sure you explore all your treatment options with your cardiologist," Dr. Mitchell advised. "Open heart surgery may not be your only option. TAVR is approved for low-, moderate- and high-risk patients who meet a few qualifications."

In 2015, NKCH became the first hospital in the Northland to perform the TAVR procedure. Since then, the TAVR team has performed more than 300 procedures.