Pioneers in minimally invasive procedures to replace damaged heart valves
Traditionally, if a damaged valve needed to be replaced, open-heart surgery was the only option. Less invasive approaches to these procedures are developing rapidly, and the doctors in our structural heart and valvular disease program are at the forefront of these developments. We offer multiple percutaneous valve treatments, or those done through the skin, that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including five catheter-based aortic valve replacement options.
These less invasive valve replacement procedures are generally designed for people who are high risk and may not be able to tolerate open heart surgery for multiple reasons. However, we are involved in clinical trials to expand the use of these new techniques.
During procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR), your doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into an artery in your groin, chest, or arm and guide it to the valve. Once in place, a new valve that is attached to the end of the catheter will be opened and secured.
Percutaneous valve treatments offer several advantages, including:
- Faster recovery time
- Less pain
- Less trauma to the body
- Reduced blood loss
- Reduced risk of infection
- Smaller, less-noticeable scars
Conditions
Aortic valve disease
Aortic valve disease is a type of heart valve disease that occurs when the valve between your aorta (the largest blood vessel) and the left ventricle (the heart’s main pumping chamber) doesn’t work as it should.
Mitral regurgitation
Mitral regurgitation occurs when the mitral valve allows blood to flow backward through the heart.
Mitral stenosis
Mitral stenosis causes the mitral valve to become narrow and decrease blood flow through the heart.
Mitral valve disease
Disease of the mitral valve, which controls blood flow between the two left chambers of the heart.
Mitral valve prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse causes the leaflets that form the mitral valve to bulge into the left atrium.
Pulmonary valve disease
Pulmonary valve disease includes several conditions that affect the pulmonary valve, through which blood passes as it travels from the heart to the lungs.
Tricuspid valve disease
Tricuspid valve disease refers to several diseases of the heart’s tricuspid valve, through which blood passes as it travels from the heart’s right atrium to the right ventricle.
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
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Gaby Weissman, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Cardiac Imaging
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Our locations
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MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving St. NW Washington, DC 20010
MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
201 E. University Pkwy. Baltimore, MD 21218
Additional information
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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.