Aortic Stenosis
What is Aortic Stenosis?
Find out about the causes and symptoms of aortic stenosis.
Learn moreRESEARCH:
Medtronic CoreValve® U.S. Pivotal Trial
The Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center studies replacing a diseased heart valve through a tiny single incision in patients with aortic stenosis..Read more
IN THE NEWS:
Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center implants its first Sapien valves
Houston, TX - 2/20/2012
A multidisciplinary team of doctors at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center implanted the FDA-approved Edwards Sapien transcatheter heart valve into a 90-year-old businessman and 70-year-old woman recently, both too sick to have open heart surgery to treat their narrowed aortic valve. Methodist is one of a small group of centers approved in the country to perform this procedure.
The Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center Valve Clinic combines outstanding clinical care, advanced imaging and surgical excellence to provide centralized evaluation and treatment options for complex valve disease.
Our goal is to deliver a focused and well-organized patient experience that provides a thorough evaluation and clear communication about severity of valve disease and all appropriate therapeutic options.
- Patients referred to the Valve Clinic will be initially assessed by one of our cardiologists.
- All prior diagnostic studies will be requested and reviewed.
- When needed, additional diagnostic imaging (such as echocardiography, stress imaging, cardiac MRI, or carotid ultrasound) will be performed.
- If needed, the patient will also meet with a cardiovascular surgeon to further discuss the options for valve intervention.
Our Services
- Diagnosis and imaging evaluation
- Cutting-edge imaging technology: 64 slice CT, cardiac MRI, 3D echocardiography (including 3D transesophageal echocardiography, TEE)
- Nationally accredited imaging labs
- Interpretation by board certified physicians with national and international recognition as valve imaging experts
- Treatment recommendations, including the use of anticoagulant medications to discourage the formation of blood clots
- Patient education and support
- Complete options for valve intervention, including catheter-based interventions, minimally-invasive robotic heart valve repair or replacement surgery, and open surgical interventions
- Second opinions: Review of valve diagnosis, severity, and the timing and type of recommended intervention
- Ongoing follow-up care
Academic Mission
The Valve Clinic also plays an important academic role providing teaching and clinical research opportunities consistent with the academic mission of the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center. Patients will be asked to enroll in a valve registry and can expect to meet learner physicians, residents, fellows, and nurses.
Care Options for Referring Physicians
A variety of patient care options are available to referring physicians, including:
- Cardiology consult
- Consult and follow-up (share care) with referring physician
- Consult and take over care
- Cardiovascular surgery consult only (no cardiology consult required)
To refer a patient to the Valve Clinic, please download and submit our Physician Fax Referral Form.
Valve Conference
Complex clinical cases are presented for group discussion at a bi-monthly Valve Conference. Diagnostic and management considerations are discussed by cardiovascular surgeons, interventional cardiologists, and imaging experts. After the conference, a summary letter outlining the discussion and treatment consensus is sent to the referring physician for review.
Contact Us
For more information or to refer a patient to the Valve Clinic, please contact us at 713-DEBAKEY (332-2539) or valveclinic@tmhs.org.
