Structural Heart & Valve Clinic
The Mary Washington Hospital Structural 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.
What is Aortic Stenosis?
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.
Collaborative Heart Care 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
Dr. John Cardone and Dr. Alex Na, cardiothoracic surgeons, Dr. Harish Chandra
and Dr Arijit Chanda, interventional cardiologists, work with cardiologists
and primary care physicians in the region to make life-saving aortic stenosis
treatment options available to patients.
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.
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
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 the carotid artery or an artery in the
groin -- 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 2-4 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’s Cardiac Hybrid Room, designed specifically
for TAVR procedures, combines equipment and features found conventional
operating rooms with state-of-the-art imaging technology.
Please contact your cardiologist with additional questions or for a referral
to one of our surgeons.
