Vern and Claudia Krebs of Bismarck, North Dakota, have a lot in common. They love to fish, they have a large and loving family, and they have been married for more than 60 years.
They also share a heart condition called atrial fibrillation, or AFib, which causes irregular and rapid heartbeats. Because of their AFib, both Vern and Claudia have undergone heart surgeries at Sanford Health in Bismarck, with the same doctor, Nayan Desai, M.D., an interventional cardiologist.
Claudia, 83, had her surgery in 2020, when Dr. Desai implanted a device in her heart called a Watchman, which prevents blood clots from forming and traveling to the brain, causing strokes.
She had already suffered two mini strokes and a heart attack in the past, and she could no longer take blood thinners due to other health issues. The Watchman device, which is made of metal and fabric, acts as a filter that blocks the area of the heart where most clots form.
Claudia’s surgery was successful, and she no longer needs blood thinners.
Vern, 90, had his surgery in 2021, when Dr. Desai replaced his aortic valve with a new one made of cow or pig heart tissue. His valve was either narrow or leaky, which affected the blood flow from his heart to the rest of his body.
Vern also had blockages in the arteries of his neck, legs, and abdomen, which reduced his circulation and mobility. His surgery, called a TAVR procedure (transcatheter aortic valve replacement), involved inserting the new valve through a small incision in his groin and guiding it to his heart with a catheter.
Vern’s surgery was also successful, and he now has a better functioning valve and improved blood flow.
Both Vern and Claudia are grateful for their surgeries and their doctor, who they say saved their lives and improved their quality of life. They are also thankful for each other, and for their long and happy marriage, which they attribute to their faith, their friendship, and their sense of humor.
They enjoy spending time with their three children, six grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren, and they hope to resume their fishing hobby soon.
