Heart Valve Repair & Replacement
When you need heart valve treatment, look to the interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons at Adventist HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at White Oak Medical Center. You’ll get skilled care from the Washington, D.C. region’s most experienced heart valve team.
Certified, Fellowship-Trained Specialists
Depending on your procedure, you may receive care from:
- Interventional cardiologist – Specialist in nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedures
- Cardiothoracic surgeon – Specialist in open-heart surgery
You’ll be in the qualified hands of a board-certified physician with fellowship training—the highest level of education in your procedure.
Heart Valve Conditions
Your heart has four valves that control the flow of blood to and from your heart:
- Aortic valve
- Mitral valve
- Pulmonary valve
- Tricuspid valve
The aortic and mitral valves are most likely to need treatment, but any valve can develop problems such as:
- Insufficiency – Inability to control blood flow
- Regurgitation – Leaking of blood in the wrong direction
- Stenosis – Narrowing and hardening
Signs of a heart valve problems include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue and swollen feet or legs. Treatment can help you live a longer, higher-quality life and enjoy more of the activities you need and want to do.
Heart Valve Repair
Depending on your condition, your cardiologist may decide heart valve repair is the best approach. To fix a valve, your doctor or surgeon may reshape the flaps that open and close or place a ring around a loose valve to tighten it.
Heart Valve Replacement
In some cases, your cardiologist may recommend removing a damaged heart valve and replacing it with a long-lasting new valve. The valve is made of titanium, carbon or organic (natural) tissue. Your doctor will recommend the best type for you based on your age, medical history and preferences.
Minimally Invasive Techniques
Whenever possible, we’ll do a minimally invasive procedure instead of traditional open-heart surgery, so you won’t need an incision in your chest. You may be able to go home from the hospital in one to three days instead of the usual five to six days after open-heart surgery.
Minimally invasive approaches use catheters (thin, flexible tubes) and tiny medical devices. Instead of dividing your breastbone (sternum), an interventional cardiologist inserts the thin tools in an artery and guides them up to your heart. Procedures include:
- MitraClip mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis
- Valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis if a surgically placed valve wears out
- Transcatheter mitral valve replacement for mitral regurgitation
- Valvuloplasty for stiff or narrowed valves
Open-Heart Surgery
If surgery is your best option, you’ll benefit from surgeons who have successfully performed thousands of operations for your neighbors in Montgomery County. Ask your Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center team about procedures such as:
- Aortic valve replacement surgery
- Mitral valve replacement surgery
- Mitral valve repair surgery
Continuum of Care
Your surgeon or interventional cardiologist will work closely with your general cardiologist or primary care provider to help make sure you get seamless services before and after treatment. Learn what to expect after surgery, including home healthcare options. Explore our cardiac rehabilitation program that helps you get your energy back, so you can safely enjoy a more active lifestyle.
