Aortic stenosis (narrowing) is a potentially life-threatening condition. The aorta is the main artery carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When blood leaves the heart, it flows through the aortic valve, into the aorta. In aortic stenosis, the aortic valve does not open fully. This condition decreases blood flow from the heart. In patients in whom the stenosis progresses and becomes severe, the result is a life-threatening condition.
What is Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)?
TAVR is an innovative procedure that offers a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis, without the complications that can follow traditional valve replacement surgery. The minimally invasive method is used to replace the aortic valve but does not require removing the damaged valve, which eliminates the need for invasive open-heart surgery. Side effects are minimized, and the procedure is safe for those who are at high risk of complications from surgery. For some, TAVR offers a lifesaving option, where none existed for them before.
This offers new hope for low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis in need of valve replacement surgery. Without valve replacement, studies indicate that more than half of all patients with severe aortic stenosis will not survive an average of two years. Unfortunately, many of these patients are too ill to undergo open valve replacement surgery. But now this new, less invasive approach is available for patients, even if they have significant other medical issues.
And, Stony Brook Heart Institute was among the first to offer this minimally invasive procedure to low-risk patients through its involvement in a low-risk TAVR clinical trial.
What Are the Benefits of TAVR?
For most patients, TAVR is performed as an outpatient procedure, requiring minimal sedation. Because it is a gentler procedure, recovery is quicker and easier. Generally, full recovery occurs within days. Patients at higher risks of complications may require a hospital stay of about 48 hours.
Leading the Way in Regional Heart Healthcare
Stony Brook Heart Institute was the first in Suffolk County to introduce transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), an innovative and minimally invasive technique that continues to improve the lives of our cardiac patients.
At Stony Brook, our renowned Heart Institute team’s skill and experience provide world-class healthcare to Long Islanders right here close to home.
If you are a patient with severe aortic stenosis, or if you are a physician caring for a patient with this condition who could benefit from further evaluation, please call (631) 638-2101 to make an appointment, or to obtain more information about our TAVR program.
Our Team
Our multidisciplinary TAVR team has years of training and experience in cardiology including interventional cardiology and in cardiothoracic surgery, including valve surgery. This enables us to use the TAVR technology effectively in treating aortic stenosis and to provide comprehensive care for patients.
Our team includes:
- Cardiovascular Imaging:
Smadar Kort, MD, Director, Valve Center, Cardiology
Neda Dianati-Maleki, MD
Noelle Mann, MD
Howard S. Novotny, MD
Jordan Katz, MD
- Interventional Cardiologists:
Robert Pyo, MD, FACS, FSCAI, Director, Interventional Cardiology and Medical Director, Structural Heart Program, Stony Brook Medicine
Puja Parikh, MD, FACC, FAHA, FSCAI, Director, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Program
Ahmad Alkhalil, MD, Director, Percutaneous Mitral and Tricuspid Interventions and Catheterization Lab Director, Northport VA Medical Center
Jonathan B. Weinstein, DO
Neal Patel, MD
Giridhar Korlipara, MD
Shamin Khan, MD
Daniel Montellese, MD
Arash Ehteshami Afshar, MD, MSC
- Cardiothoracic Surgeons:
Allison J. McLarty, MD, Interim Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Surgical Director, Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program
Jonathan D. Price, MD
- Cardiac Anesthesiologists:
Jeremy Poppers, MD, PhD, FASE, Director of Cardiac Anesthesia
Derek Atkinson, MD
Adrian Fischl, MD
Igor Izrailtyan, MD, FACC
Renata Kowal, MD
Peter Oleszak, MD
Bharathi Scott, MD
Eric Zabirowicz, MD
- Valve Clinic Coordinator:
Kelly Colongeli, PA
- Cardiac Research Coordinator:
Ruth Stein