Press Release
Ellis Cardiology Team Celebrates 1000th TAVR Procedure
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Milestone reflects committment to expand life-saving care for Capital Region patients
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — The cardiac team at Ellis Medicine has reached a major milestone, recently performing its 1,000th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure, underscoring the rapid growth and success of a program that has brought advanced, minimally invasive heart care to patients across the Capital Region.
TAVR is an innovative procedure that replaces a damaged aortic valve using a catheter, typically inserted through the groin, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery and giving high-risk patients a new lease on life. The technique has transformed care for many patients with severe aortic stenosis, particularly older adults or those considered high risk for traditional surgery.
The Ellis TAVR program is led by Dr. Aakash Garg, an interventional cardiologist with Cardiology Associates of Schenectady, who performs all TAVR procedures at Ellis with a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, technicians and support staff.
“Reaching 1,000 TAVR procedures is an incredible achievement for our program and for the patients we serve,” said Dr. Garg. “This milestone reflects the dedication and expertise of our entire team and the commitment of Ellis Medicine to bring cutting-edge cardiac care to our community.”
Ellis performed its first TAVR procedure in February 2019, and the program has grown rapidly since then. The team celebrated its 500th TAVR in 2023, and in the years since has continued to expand access to the procedure for more patients.
Advances in care and streamlined processes have also significantly improved the patient experience. The team has reduced the typical hospital stay from two or three days to about one day, allowing patients to recover more quickly while maintaining excellent outcomes.
In addition, the program has broadened eligibility criteria so more patients can benefit from the procedure. Dr. Garg now performs as many as six TAVR procedures each week, helping meet the growing demand for minimally invasive valve replacement in a region with a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease.
“With an aging population in Schenectady County and surrounding communities, programs like this are essential,” said Chris Jordan, Ellis Medicine’s Chief Operating Officer. “Reaching 1,000 procedures highlights the impact this team is having—giving patients a safer option and, in many cases, a new lease on life.”
Ellis Medicine continues to invest in advanced cardiac services to ensure Capital Region residents have access to leading-edge treatment close to home.
Ellis Medicine | Newsroom
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Contact:
Communications
Ellis Medicine
1101 Nott Street
Schenectady, NY 12308
518.232.9288