Valvular Heart Disease

Cardiac surgeon George Magovern Jr., M.D., evaluates a patient for valve replacement or repair.

True leadership in valve care demands more than pioneering new techniques and new technologies — it requires an extensive depth of expertise forged over time. For more than a half century, Allegheny General surgeons have accomplished both — from performing Pennsylvania's first heart-valve replacement in the 1950s to tackling complicated procedures such as aortic root replacement.

Very few hospitals can offer the indepth experience available at Allegheny General. Our surgeons are highly skilled in treating all forms of heart disease, particularly those complicated by other cardiac problems such as coronary artery disease.

Balloon valvuloplasty.
Physicians in the hospital's renowned interventional cardiology service are highly experienced in opening narrowed mitral, aortic and pulmonary valves via a catheter-based procedure — speeding recovery times for patients.

Mitral valve repair.
Mitral valve replacement is an effective treatment but the use of an artificial valve can pose significant choices involving the use of life-long anticoagulation or limited prosthesis durability. When Allegheny physicians repair, rather than replace, this inflow valve to the heart's primary pumping chamber, patients often experience faster recovery from surgery, excellent survival rates and a reduced risk of stroke.

Cardiac Surgeons complete the complex task of replacing a patient's diseased heart valve.

Aortic root replacement.
Aneurysms can occur in the aorta at its root, eventually causing the aorta to widen and the aortic valve to leak — leading to heart failure or aortic rupture. Allegheny surgeons specialize in the replacement of the aortic root, which spares the patient more involved aortic valve replacement surgery by leaving the valve itself intact.

Valve replacement, including multiple valve and redo valve replacement.
Allegheny cardiac surgeons have been involved in cardiac valve surgery since the earliest history of the field — performing the first valve replacement in Pennsylvania and inventing the revolutionary sutureless valve which dramatically reduced surgical deaths due to lengthy operations. Since these early achievements, Allegheny General doctors have built an exceptional depth of expertise at valve replacement surgery, extending to the most complex cases involving multiple valves or the challenges of replacing failed prosthetic valves. More patients at higher risk — including older adults whose disease or general health precluded potentially lifesaving surgery in the past — have more options than ever in successful surgical treatment of valve disease.

Antiocoagulation Management Program.
Many patients who have had valve replacement surgery must take anticoagulant medication for life to ensure that clots don't develop on and around their new heart valves. Allegheny General offers an innovative approach to the patient and referring physician to make managing anticoagulation therapy more convenient and effective.

Studies have shown that results with anticoagulation therapy can be dramatically enhanced if a dedicated clinic uses bestevidence guidelines to rapidly adjust medications in response to changes in test results. Allegheny is one of few to create such a program, which frees the patient's referring physician from managing the ongoing therapy and, most importantly, ensures that the patient gets timely direction on medication adjustments.