Valve Center
A new chapter in the diagnosis and treatment of heart valve disease has opened at Stony Brook Heart Institute. The
Valve Center offers patients access to the most advanced care and technology available. Patients are seen by
multiple heart specialists during the same visit and receive a personalized comprehensive diagnosis and treatment
plan at the completion of their evaluation.
Multispecialty Team Approach
At the core of the Valve Center is its multispecialty team approach to valve disease. During visits to the Valve Center, patients meet with an experienced team of valve disease specialists -- all within one appointment. A cardiologist and a cardiothoracic surgeon provide patients with the most comprehensive diagnostic assessment that leads to the best therapeutic option tailored to treat their specific valve disease. Additionally, a nurse practitioner meets with each patient to coordinate evaluation and treatment. By the end of their visit, patients are able to thoroughly understand their condition and have a detailed plan of their treatment.
Comprehensive, State-of-the-Art Diagnostic Evaluation
Effective treatment begins with accurate diagnosis, and in this regard, Stony Brook's credentials are noteworthy. The Echocardiography Laboratory at Stony Brook Heart Institute, performing more than 13,000 imaging studies annually, is the only laboratory in Suffolk County that has triple accreditation from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, and is one of only 25 laboratories in the State of New York to hold this prestigious accomplishment.
Most Advanced Treatment Options
The Valve Center offers a comprehensive range of treatment options. These include medical therapy, a full spectrum of surgical therapy, and genetic and nutrition counseling. Our mitral valve repair rate for correctable lesions is 95 percent, which places Stony Brook Heart Institute among the top centers in the country for these repairs. In most cases, repairs are performed using a minimally invasive approach. Aortic valve-sparing procedures are also offered to appropriate candidates. Additionally, Stony Brook is one of a select number of sites in the United States to offer the new minimally invasive procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for treating aortic stenosis.
Multispecialty Expertise
Widely respected specialists lead the Valve Center, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the program. In addition to their clinical knowledge, our physicians also conduct research and publish their findings in conjunction with the Stony Brook University School of Medicine.
Second Opinion Consultations
Our highly experienced valve team works with referring cardiologists, internists and primary care physicians to provide independent evaluations and recommendations, or otherwise partner with referring physicians, as requested.
Valve Education Made Easier
Illustrated patient education materials are available to help our patients better understand, track and monitor their valve condition. Our team of specialists walks patients through health management guides to further promote this understanding.
Exceptional Convenience
The Valve Center offers exceptional convenience to patients and referring physicians:
- Fast and easy access. In most cases, patients are seen at the Valve Center within one week of referral. The Valve Center is also easy to find-located right off the Hospital's main lobby, in the Heart Institute.
- Time-to-diagnosis and treatment is expedited. Diagnostic testing and consultations are all coordinated into one visit, saving the inconvenience and time required to schedule a series of appointments.
- Diagnostic studies are performed on site. Comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, which may include 3D transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), 3D transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and stress echo can be performed in the Stony Brook Heart Institute, adjacent to the Valve Center.
- Excellent communication. Close collaboration between the Valve Center's dedicated team of specialists and each patient's personal cardiologist and primary care physician is a key element of the treatment plan.
- Additional Heart Institute services are available. When clinically indicated and approved by the referring physician, patients may be referred to other state-of-the-art services provided at the Heart Institute, such as our highly recognized cardiovascular imaging and electrophysiology programs.
For More Information
To schedule an evaluation with our valve disease specialists, call the Stony Brook Valve Center at (631)
638-2101.
To learn more about Stony Brook Heart Institute and its many services, or for physician referrals and appointment
scheduling, call (631) 44-HEART (444-3278).
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers from the experts at the Valve Center to frequently asked questions about heart health and care of the valves.
Questions about Diagnosing Valve Disease:
- How is valvular heart disease best diagnosed?
- What other diagnostic tests may I need?
- How often do I need to have theses tests done?
Questions about Valve Surgery:
- Can my mitral valve be repaired?
- Can my valve be repaired with a minimally invasive procedure?
- Can the robot be used to fix my valve?
- What are the risks of valve surgery?
- How long will it take before I feel well after valve surgery?
- Are there any non-surgical treatments available for valve problems?
Q: How is valvular heart disease best diagnosed?
A: Echocardiography, which is an ultrasound exam of the heart, is often
used when evaluating a patient with suspected or known valvular disease. It provides important information about the
structure and function of the valves and of the heart muscle. Just like other ultrasound techniques,
echocardiography is very safe. It is non-invasive, does not involve radiation, and is relatively fast to perform. Click here for more information about echocardiography.
Answered by Smada
Kort, MD, a cardiologist, is professor of medicine and director of the Valve Center. She also is director of
cardiovascular imaging and director of the echocardiography laboratory.
Q: What other diagnostic tests may I need?
A: In addition to regular echocardiography, 3-dimensional echocardiogram
may be used in order to provide more detailed anatomic picture of the heart. Some valvular pathology is better
assessed using an echocardiogram probe mounted on a tube that is inserted into the stomach, in a test referred to as
transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).
At Stony Brook Medicine, we have the ability to perform 3-dimensional TEE that provides more accurate and detailed
information, and is available to be used whenever your doctors think it is indicated.
Sometimes a stress echocardiogram will be
performed so your doctors can evaluate your functional capacity, assess your heart function during stress or
evaluate for development of exertional symptoms. Other diagnostic tests may be necessary and could all be performed
in our institution, including CT, MRI, or cardiac catheterization.
You can always be assured that our doctors will evaluate all the tests you already have had done, and will perform
only those tests essential to fully understand your problem and guide treatment.
Answered by Smada
Kort, MD, a cardiologist, is professor of medicine and director of the Valve Center. She also is director of
cardiovascular imaging and director of the echocardiography laboratory.
Q: How often do I need to have theses tests done?
A: Sometimes, depending on what our doctors find, they may recommend that
you come back at a later point and repeat the echocardiogram and possibly also the stress test. This decision is
based on the degree of your valvular disease, on your symptoms as well as other parameters such as the affect of the
valvular disease on the heart muscle and pressures in the lungs. All these parameters would also be taken into
consideration when deciding how often you come back for follow up and for repeat testing. The follow-up plan will be
discussed with you during your visit to our Valve Center, as well as situations in which you should return for
evaluation sooner.
Answered by Smada
Kort, MD, a cardiologist, is professor of medicine and director of the Valve Center. She also is director of
cardiovascular imaging and director of the echocardiography laboratory.
Q: Can my mitral valve be repaired?
A: Yes. More than 90% of mitral valves can be repaired versus conventional
mitral valve replacement. This will allow you to preserve your own tissue and preserve your heart function.
Additionally, you will have less risk of infection and more long-term durability and improvement in your symptoms
over the course of your lifetime.
Answered by Sandeep
Gupta, MD. Dr. Gupta is a cardiothoracic surgeon and assistant professor of surgery. He is co-director of the
Valve Center.
Q: Can my valve be repaired with a minimally invasive procedure?
A: Yes. The majority of all isolated valve procedures can be done with a
small incision. This will allow quicker recovery, less pain, and faster return to work.
Answered by Sandeep
Gupta, MD. Dr. Gupta is a cardiothoracic surgeon and assistant professor of surgery. He is co-director of the
Valve Center.
Q: Can the robot be used to fix my valve?
A: Yes. In mitral valve surgery, we can use the latest in robotic
technology to repair your valve. This allows the surgeon improved dexterity, visualization, and repair techniques to
give you the best mitral valve repair. It also allows for a faster recovery, less pain, and quicker return to work.
Answered by Sandeep
Gupta, MD. Dr. Gupta is a cardiothoracic surgeon and assistant professor of surgery. He is co-director of the
Valve Center.
Q: What are the risks of valve surgery?
A: The risks for isolated mitral valve repair or aortic valve surgery are
minimal, and are similar to any surgery. They include the risk of bleeding, infection, pneumonia, organ failure,
stroke, and even a small risk of death. In general, these complications are expected in less than 5% of patients.
During your consultation, your surgeon can tell you what your specific risks are.
Answered by Sandeep Gupta, MD. Dr. Gupta is a
cardiothoracic surgeon and assistant professor of surgery. He is co-director of the Valve Center.
Q: How long will it take before I feel well after valve surgery?
A: For most patients who have valve surgery, it takes about 2-3 weeks to
feel well, while some healing and recovery occur months thereafter. Actually, most patients typically feel better
than before surgery once their valve is repaired. This should give you better quality of life.
Answered by Sandeep Gupta, MD. Dr. Gupta is a
cardiothoracic surgeon and assistant professor of surgery. He is co-director of the Valve Center.
Q: Are any non-surgical treatments available for valve problems?
A: Replacement of aortic valves without using open heart surgery is now
done at a select number of hospitals, including Stony Brook University Hospital (click here). Treatments for mitral valve leakages
have also been developed for patients considered too high a risk for surgery.
Answered by Luis
Gruberg, MD. Dr. Gruberg, a cardiologist, is professor of medicine and interim chief of the Division of
Cardiovascular Medicine. He is director of Cardiovascular Catheterization Laboratories.
Team Leaders
Smadar Kort, MD. Dr. Kort is director of the Valve Center; director of Noninvasive Cardiology, Cardiovascular Imaging and Echocardiography; and professor of medicine. Dr. Kort has board certifications in cardiovascular disease and echo-cardiology and is nationally and internationally known for her expertise in the field of echocardiography. Dr. Kort is an elected governor of the American College of Cardiology, an immediate past member of the board of directors of the American Society of Echocardiography and holds leadership positions in numerous other professional societies.
Sandeep Gupta, MD. Dr. Gupta is co-director of the Valve Center. He uses the latest techniques in minimally invasive valve surgery to help preserve native mitral, aortic and tricuspid valves. Dr. Gupta received a Cleveland Clinic Foundation Innovator Award for the development of devices to enhance minimally invasive mitral valve repair. He is an assistant professor of surgery and board certified in surgery and board eligible in cardiothoracic surgery.
Luis Gruberg, MD. Dr. Gruberg is professor of medicine; interim chief, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine; director, Cardiovascular Catheterization Laboratories; and co-director, Stony Brook Heart Institute. Dr. Gruberg is well known in the national and international arena through his numerous studies and publications in the field of interventional cardiology. Dr. Gruberg specializes in percutaneous coronary and carotid artery interventions.
Contact:
Stony Brook Valve Center
Stony Brook Heart Institute
Nicolls Road and Health Sciences Drive intersection
Stony Brook, NY, 11794
Phone: (631) 638-2101
Valve Center Brochure
