Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) is proud to announce the successful completion of its first solo MitraClip procedure. The groundbreaking, minimally invasive procedure was performed by Maen Assali, MD, an Interventional Cardiologist at the Heart & Vascular Institute of Eastern KY, offering a new, life-changing treatment option for patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) who are considered too high-risk for open-heart surgery. 

MitraClip is one of the world’s first mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) therapy, also referred to as TMVr (transcatheter mitral valve repair), that delivers a minimally invasive treatment option for select patients. It is a well-established procedure with more than 20 years of clinical use and over 200,000 patients treated globally. MitraClip has the highest reported-to-date MR reduction. 

Mitral regurgitation is a condition in which the heart’s mitral valve leaflets do not close tightly, causing blood to leak back into the heart. If left untreated, it can lead to heart failure and other serious cardiac complications. The MitraClip device repairs the leaky valve without the need for a heart-lung bypass machine or a large chest incision. 

“The successful launch of our independent MitraClip program marks a major milestone for Pikeville Medical Center and the patients we serve throughout the region,” said Dr. Assali. “While this marks our first procedure performed completely on-site by our local team, our program is uniquely backed by a collaborative partnership with leading structural heart specialists from Cincinnati. This gives patients throughout the community access to university-level expertise without the stress of traveling. For those with severe MR who aren’t candidates for open-heart surgery or would respond better to non-surgical options, we can now offer a life-changing, minimally invasive solution close to their families. Because this technique is minimally invasive, most patients can go home the next day.” 

During the procedure, Dr. Assali attached a small clip to the patient’s mitral valve leaflets, helping it close more completely and restore normal blood flow. The procedure typically takes one to three hours and allows for a shorter recovery time than open heart surgery. Patients who undergo the procedure are twice as likely to see major improvements in quality of life compared to medication alone. 

About Pikeville Medical Center 

Pikeville Medical Center is a 348-licensed-bed regional referral center and Kentucky’s only level II trauma center. PMC offers over 400 services, including most major specialties and many subspecialties and features the region’s most advanced medical technology. PMC employs over 3,500 people and has over 600 credentialed healthcare providers. 

PMC’s mission is to advance the health and well-being of our region through comprehensive care in a Christian environment. For more information, visit www.pmcky.org. 

About Abbott Laboratories 

Abbott is a global leader in cardiovascular care, diabetes management, diagnostic testing, nutrition, pain and movement disorders and more. In addition, the company helps raise awareness for chronic disease prevention and other issues that impact global health through its various partnerships. 

Most people expect heart problems to feel dramatic… sudden chest pain or a medical emergency. But many heart conditions begin with small warning signs that are easy to brush off or explain away.

You may think:
– “I’m just getting older.”
– “I’m out of shape.”
– “I’ve just been tired lately.”

But sometimes, your heart may be trying to tell you something.

COMMON WARNING SIGNS OF HEART DISEASE
Not every symptom means you have heart disease. But if you notice any of these signs, especially if they continue or worsen, it may be time to talk with a heart specialist.

1. Shortness of Breath
Do everyday activities leave you more winded than usual?

If walking uphill, climbing stairs, carrying groceries or doing simple chores suddenly feels harder, your heart may not be pumping as well as it should.

2. Chest Pressure or Discomfort
Heart-related chest pain is not always sharp or severe. Some people describe it as: 

• Pressure 

• Tightness 

• Heaviness 

• Burning, like indigestion 

• Fullness 

It may come and go, especially during activity.

3. Unusual Fatigue
Feeling tired all the time can have many causes, but extreme fatigue may also be linked to heart problems. If you feel exhausted doing things that never used to wear you out, don’t ignore it.

4.  Swelling in the Legs or Feet
Swelling in the lower legs, ankles or feet may happen when the heart struggles to move blood effectively through the body.

5.  Dizziness or Fainting
Feeling lightheaded, dizzy or faint can sometimes signal problems with blood flow or heart rhythm.

KNOW YOUR RISK FACTORS
Some people are more likely to develop heart disease than others. Risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Family history of heart disease 

If you have one or more of these risk factors, even if you feel fine, regular checkups with your primary care doctor are important so that problems can be detected and treated early.

DON’T WAIT TO GET ANSWERS
Most importantly, if something doesn’t feel right, listen to your body. It may be time to schedule a visit with a heart specialist. The early diagnosis and treatment of heart disease can make a big difference. 

The good news is that advanced heart care is close to home. With an expert team of cardiac specialists and leading-edge facilities and technology, The Heart and Vascular Institute at Pikeville Medical Center has comprehensive capabilities and is nationally recognized for the care it provides. They provide that care with one focus… YOU. 

To learn more about the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky, its providers and clinic locations in Pikeville, Prestonsburg, South Williamson, Whitesburg and Grundy, click here.  To schedule a consultation, call (606) 430-2201.

About Pikeville Medical Center

Pikeville Medical Center is a 348-licensed-bed regional referral center and Kentucky’s only level II trauma center. PMC offers over 400 services, including most major specialties and many subspecialties and features the region’s most advanced medical technology. PMC employs over 3,500 people and has over 600 credentialed healthcare providers.
PMC’s mission is to advance the health and well-being of our region through comprehensive care in a Christian environment. For more information, visit www.pmcky.org

About Medtronic

Medtronic is one of the world’s largest medical device companies, specializing in life-transforming healthcare technologies and therapies. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Ireland (with operational headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota), the company employs over 90,000 people globally.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 20, 2026) — UK HealthCare is proud to welcome Pikeville Medical Center to the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute Affiliate Network.

By joining the Gill Affiliate Network, Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) will gain access to the latest cardiovascular expertise. This collaboration will provide PMC providers and staff with comprehensive cardiac education and training, strengthening their ability to improve the cardiovascular health of patients in Pike County and the surrounding area.

One way this affiliation is making a tangible impact is through the launch of an adult congenital heart disease clinic in Pikeville. UK cardiologist, Dr. Ashley Brunmeier, a specialist in adult congenital heart disease, now provides care through this outreach clinic, bringing advanced expertise closer to home. This initiative allows patients to receive specialized treatment at Pikeville Medical Center rather than traveling to Lexington, improving convenience and access to subspecialty cardiovascular care for patients across the region.

“Joining the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute Affiliate Network is an important step forward for Pikeville Medical Center and the patients we serve,” said Dr. Aaron Crum, Chief Medical Officer at PMC. “This affiliation strengthens our ability to deliver advanced cardiovascular care locally by expanding access to specialized expertise, education and collaboration.”

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Kentucky, with the state ranking among the highest in the nation. In response, the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, a leader in cardiovascular care, is working to combat these health challenges through its Gill Affiliate Network. This initiative aims to reduce the prevalence of heart disease by fostering collaborative relationships with health care facilities across the state.

“This affiliation reflects our ongoing commitment to improving heart health for our community,” said Dr. Chase Reynolds, Medical Director of the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern KY at Pikeville Medical Center. “Through the Gill Affiliate Network, our providers gain access to leading cardiovascular resources and training that enhance the care we provide every day. Expanding services like the adult congenital heart disease clinic provides patients in eastern Kentucky with specialized cardiac care without the burden of traveling long distances.”

As part of these measures, the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute collaborates with a large network of 28 regional and community hospitals across the state to enhance access to high-quality cardiovascular care, allowing Kentuckians to receive care where and when they need it.

Through the Gill Affiliate Network, PMC will join a community of hospitals across Kentucky working together to enhance patient care, share best practices and strengthen cardiac programs through education and collaboration.

“We are thrilled to welcome Pikeville Medical Center to the Gill Affiliate Network,” said Dr. Navin Rajagopalan, Director of the Gill Affiliate Network. “Pikeville has a long-standing reputation for delivering exceptional cardiac care to its community, and this collaboration strengthens our shared commitment to advancing cardiovascular health across Kentucky. By working together, we can combine expertise, resources and innovation to ensure patients receive the highest quality care close to home.”The Gill Affiliate Network will give PMC providers and staff access to specialized cardiovascular education and training, assistance in achieving and maintaining cardiac accreditations and support for the growth and development of their cardiac program. This collaboration ensures comprehensive heart care — from medical cardiology to vascular and cardiothoracic surgery — is accessible to Pike County residents and beyond, enabling patients to receive high-quality care close to home for as long as possible.

About Pikeville Medical Center

Pikeville Medical Center is a 348-licensed-bed regional referral center and Kentucky’s only level II trauma center. PMC offers over 400 services, including most major specialties and many subspecialties and features the region’s most advanced medical technology. PMC employs over 3,700 people and has over 600 credentialed healthcare providers.

PMC’s mission is to advance the health and well-being of our region through comprehensive care in a Christian environment. For more information, visit www.pmcky.org.

About UK HealthCare

UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated health care professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.

As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the health care landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.