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.
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.
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 who review each
patient’s tests and results to develop a customized treatment plan.
John Cardone, MD, and Alex Na, MD, cardiothoracic surgeons; Arijit Chanda,
MD, and Micaela Iantorno, MD, 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.
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 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.
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.
