Using advanced, minimally invasive methods to improve heart valve function
The goal of any valve disease treatment is to manage symptoms and prevent further heart damage. If you need surgery to repair or replace a damaged valve, we offer less invasive approaches as an alternative to traditional open-heart surgery.
The doctors in our Structural Heart and Valvular Disease Program treat even the most complex valve diseases using innovative therapies. Our program has been involved in every major clinical trial to evaluate transcatheter aortic valve replacement and we perform an average of 340 TAVR procedures a year.
Monitoring, medication, and lifestyle changes to prevent heart damage
If your valve disease is mild, your doctor may recommend regular tests such as echocardiogram to monitor valve function. Some symptoms may be managed with medications to control your blood pressure or prevent arrhythmias.
Lifestyle changes that also can benefit your heart health include:
-
Eating less sodium
-
Drinking less alcohol
-
Exercising regularly
Surgery to repair or replace a damaged valve
Your doctor may recommend traditional or minimally invasive surgery to reduce the risk of complications or improve symptoms. The type of surgery will vary based on the valve affected, your age, and other existing health conditions.
-
Heart valve repair: Surgeons may be able to improve valve function by reshaping the tissue or inserting a ring to reinforce it. Repairing the valve often is the preferred option because it uses existing tissue that bears a lower risk of infection.
-
Heart valve replacement: If the valve is severely damaged, it may need to be replaced. Our surgeons may use natural body tissue or synthetic tissue to replace your valve.
Conditions
Adventitial Cystic Disease
Adventitial cystic disease is a rare type of peripheral vascular disease in which a fluid-filled sac called a cyst forms next to the artery and blocks blood flow.
Endocarditis
Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers or valves. It occurs when bacteria in the bloodstream attach to damaged areas of the heart.
Heart Valve Disease
Heart valve disease occurs when at least one of the four heart valves doesn’t work properly, disrupting the normal flow of blood.
Tetralogy of Fallot
Tetralogy of Fallot is a combination of four congenital structural heart that disrupt the normal flow of blood through the heart.
Tests
Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat a variety of heart and vascular conditions by guiding thin, flexible tubes called catheters through blood vessels to problem areas.
Chest X-ray
Chest X-rays use a small dose of radiation to create pictures of the structures inside the chest, including the lungs, heart, and chest wall.
Computerized Tomography (CT) scan
The cardiac computed tomography scan, or cardiac CT, uses X-rays to create three-dimensional images of your heart and blood vessels.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your heart.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, measures the heart’s electrical activity.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging, better known as cardiac MRI, is a combination of radio waves, magnets, and computer technology to create images of your heart and blood vessels.
Stress Tests
Stress tests are used to assess how your heart works during physical activity. There are several types of stress tests, including treadmill or bike stress tests, nuclear stress tests, stress echocardiograms, and chemically induced stress tests.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
Valvular Disease Cardiology
-
Ammar S Bafi, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery
-
Itshac Ben-Dor, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
-
Antony George Kaliyadan, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
-
Toby Rogers, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
-
Lowell F. Satler, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
-
Christian Charles Shults, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery
-
Ron Waksman, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
-
John Chung-Yee Wang, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
-
Gaby Weissman, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Cardiac Imaging
Show All Valvular Disease Cardiology
Our locations
Distance from Change locationEnter your location
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7503 Surratts Rd. Clinton, MD 20735
MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
201 E. University Pkwy. Baltimore, MD 21218
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18101 Prince Philip Dr. Olney, MD 20832
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving St. NW Washington, DC 20010
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Rd. NW Washington, DC, 20007
Ask MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute
Have general questions for our heart and vascular program? Email us at AskMHVI@medstar.net. If you have clinically-specific questions, please contact your physician’s office.