Physicians at the Stony Brook Heart Institute Valve Center have expanded its current array of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) approaches with two innovative techniques for treating patients with severe aortic stenosis (a narrowing of the aortic valve opening). Aortic stenosis, which affects up to 20 percent of older Americans, can lead to significant heart problems and, for those with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, the mortality rate within a couple of years can go as high as 50 percent if left untreated. 

The experienced TAVR team is made up of cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiology interventionalists, echocardiographers, radiologists and supporting staff. The team is led by cardiovascular surgeon, Henry Tannous, MD, Co-Director, Stony Brook Heart Institute, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Surgical Director, Structural Heart Program; Smadar Kort, MD, Director, Valve Center and Director, Interventional Echocardiography; and interventional cardiologists Robert Pyo, MD, Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Director, Structural Heart Disease Program, and Puja Parikh, MD, Director, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Program. 

“Many of our patients diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis will be able to opt for the most innovative, minimally invasive valve therapies that best ensures their safety and outcomes,” shares Dr. Tannous. “It is an exciting and transformative time both for patients and the medical community alike.”

“Our TAVR clinicians now have more ways to provide quality care that is customizable to the patient’s needs,” says Dr. Pyo. “Our ever-growing TAVR program continues to raise the bar for cardiac care on Long Island and we are proud to provide our community with the full array of the most comprehensive aortic stenosis diagnostics and treatments under one roof.”

“Our TAVR program is patient-focused in every aspect, from patient selection to procedure planning to treatment and postoperative care,” advises Dr. Kort. “The treatment provided at the Stony Brook Heart Institute Valve Center is distinguished by easy access to our entire team of specialists and our wonderful and dedicated nurse navigator who acts as a liaison between the medical team and the patient and family.”

“The combined expertise of our multidisciplinary teams allows us to bring the best approach to each patient, treating our cardiovascular patients with some of the most advanced technological breakthroughs for optimal outcomes and quality of life,” says Dr. Parikh.

The TAVR procedure involves placing a replacement valve into the aortic valve’s location through a catheter. For those with severe AS who are considered high-risk for conventional open-heart surgery, the minimally-invasive alternative eliminates the need for traditional open-heart surgery, providing a viable option. TAVR is also a surgical treatment option for patients with severe AS who are considered low- or intermediate-risk for conventional open surgery. Stony Brook was the first in Suffolk County to offer transcatheter aortic valve replacement.