Structural Heart & Valve Clinic
The Mary Washington Hospital Structual Heart & Valve Clinic evaluates
patients with aortic valve stenosis to determine the most appropriate
treatment option for the patient. Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic
valve narrows and obstructs blood flow from leaving the heart into the
aorta and the rest of the body. As the condition progresses, the heart
weakens as it works harder to pump blood across the narrowed valve.
Meet Mae... our first TAVR patient at Mary Washington Hospital
A multidisciplinary heart team reviews patient test results in conjunction
with the patient’s cardiologist or referring physician to determine
an appropriate treatment plan which may include Transcatheter Aortic Valve
Replacement (TAVR), surgical aortic valve replacement or medical therapy.
A dedicated Valve Clinic Coordinator assists potential patients with navigating
the evaluation and testing process and facilitates the recommendations
of the Collaborative Heart Team and referring cardiologist.
Collaborative Heart Team
Mary Washington Hospital’s Structural Heart & Valve Clinic Team
consists of specialists with various areas of expertise that review each
patient’s tests and results to develop a customized treatment plan,
including:
- Anesthesia
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Diagnostic Radiology
- Structural Heart & Valve Clinic Coordinator
- Cardiac Surgery Navigator
- Nursing
- Other allied health care professionals
Valve Clinic Evaluations
Medical testing and patient evaluation enable the heart team to assess
the potential for the less invasive TAVR approach for valve replacement.
Tests include:
- Blood tests
- Gated cardiac CTA
- Abdominal and pelvic CTA
- Pulmonary function testing
- Trans-esophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
- Frailty testing
If you suffer with symptoms of aortic stenosis, talk to your cardiologist
about an evaluation at Mary Washington Hospital’s Valve Clinic to
see if there is an alternative treatment plan for you.
TAVR – Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) is a minimally invasive surgical
technique that makes heart valve replacement a treatment option for many
patients who have aortic stenosis but are considered moderate risk or
are not surgical candidates for traditional open heart surgery. TAVR is
a less invasive option that enables surgeons to use a catheter to guide
an artificial heart valve through an artery in the groin or directly into
the heart, position it within the patient’s native heart valve and
implant the new valve allowing it to restore blood flow.
Because it is less invasive, TAVR typically has a shorter recovery time
and lower risk for complications than traditional open heart surgery.
Post-procedure hospitalization is typically 3-5 days. Risks for stroke
and other complications are similar to traditional surgical valve replacement.
Your physician can help you determine the best treatment options based
on your condition.
Cardiac Hybrid Room
Mary Washington Hospital recently completed construction on a new 1,000
square foot Cardiac Hybrid Room. This highly technical room, a requirement
for TAVR procedures, is equipped with state-of-the-art imaging in addition
to traditional equipment and features found in a conventional operating
room. Drs. John Cardone and Alex Na, cardiothoracic surgeons, and Dr.
Harish Chandra, interventional cardiologist, are working with cardiologists
and primary care physicians in the region to make this life-saving treatment
option available to qualified patients in our community.
The Mary Washington Healthcare TAVR Team also includes:
- Anesthesiologists
- Nurse anesthetists
- Cardiac cath lab technicians and nurses
- Cardiac surgery nursing team
- Perfusionists
- Cardiac surgical assistants
- Echo technicians