AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin physicians are trying new ways to treat chronic heart conditions.

Five cardiologists at Heart Hospital of Austin are the first in the nation to administer a valve replacement system to treat severe mitral annular calcification — a calcium buildup preventing blood from being pumped to the rest of the body.

"In the past the only option was open heart surgery to replace that valve, which for many patients that's just too high risk, and their anatomy doesn't allow for that," said Dr. Faraz Kerendi, one of the five who performed the procedure. "This is really exciting that we now have alternative technology that we can address those issues."

Kerendi, surgical director of the Heart Valve Clinic at Heart Hospital of Austin, said the patient would have developed worse hea

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