Mary Washington Healthcare Offers Mitral Valve Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair using the MitraClip™ System

Innovative and Minimally Invasive Treatment Expands Advanced Heart Care in Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg, VA, (May 13, 2026) – Mary Washington Healthcare has expanded its advanced cardiovascular services with the introduction of the mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) using the next‑generation MitraClip™ system, a minimally invasive treatment option for select patients with mitral valve regurgitation without the need for open‑heart surgery. The procedure will be performed at Mary Washington Hospital by Arijit Chanda, MD, and John C. Cardone, MD, FACS, further strengthening access to advanced structural heart care for patients across the Fredericksburg region.

TEER is an innovative, catheter‑based procedure used to treat mitral valve regurgitation, a condition in which the heart’s mitral valve does not close properly, allowing blood to leak backward. During the procedure, physicians guide a small device through the femoral vein in the leg to the heart and clip together a portion of the mitral valve’s two leaflets, helping it close more effectively. This approach can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for appropriately selected patients.

“I have been performing TEER procedures for the past seven years, and bringing this therapy to Mary Washington Hospital allows patients in our region to receive advanced care safely, close to home,” said Arijit Chanda, MD, Structural Heart and Interventional Cardiologist at Mary Washington Hospital. “Offering this procedure also opens the door to emerging minimally invasive transcatheter valve therapies, and we are excited to continue growing the structural heart program for the Fredericksburg region and surrounding communities.”

“This is an important advancement for our cardiovascular program and for patients in our community,” said Mike Brown, CCP, Program Director of Cardiac Surgery and Structural Heart and Chief Perfusionist at Mary Washington Hospital. “By offering the TEER procedure, we are bringing highly advanced, minimally invasive structural heart treatments closer to home, allowing patients to receive leading‑edge care without traveling outside the region.”

An expert, multidisciplinary structural heart team evaluates each patient to determine whether TEER is the most appropriate treatment option, using advanced imaging, collaborative clinical expertise, and minimally invasive techniques. The program is designed for patients who may not be candidates for open‑heart surgery and who could benefit from an option that helps relieve symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue while supporting improved daily function.

“The TEER procedure offers meaningful benefits for patients who otherwise have limited treatment options,” said John C. Cardone, MD, FACS, Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Structural Heart Medical Director at Mary Washington Hospital. “What makes this program especially strong is the teamwork behind it bringing together cardiology, cardiac surgery, imaging, and nursing expertise to tailor treatment plans that prioritize safety, recovery, and quality of life for each individual patient.”

Mitral valve regurgitation can range from mild to severe and may lead to symptoms that interfere with everyday activities, including fatigue, shortness of breath, and reduced exercise tolerance. For patients at higher risk for traditional surgery or with complex medical conditions, mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair may provide an effective alternative with a shorter recovery time compared to open‑heart procedures.

Patients diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation are encouraged to speak with their physician about evaluation and treatment options. Mary Washington Healthcare’s structural heart team partners closely with referring providers to determine the most appropriate care approach for each patient.

To learn more about TEER and structural heart services at Mary Washington Healthcare, visit heart.mwhc.com.

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About Mary Washington Healthcare

Mary Washington Healthcare is a fully integrated, regional healthcare system that provides inpatient and outpatient care at more than 80 facilities including Mary Washington Hospital, a 471-bed tertiary hospital, Stafford Hospital, a 100-bed community hospital, four emergency departments, and a multi-specialty graduate medical education program. Mary Washington Healthcare is a non-profit health system with a longstanding commitment to providing care regardless of patients’ ability to pay. For more information about our services and facilities, visit mwhc.com.