
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.
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.
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) 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.
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