Aortic Valve Care Service

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with aortic valve disease, getting the best care means partnering with an experienced team of experts. Columbia is an established center for innovative aortic valve disease care, having helped pioneer many of the most advanced treatments in use today, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Our Aortic Valve Care team has the experience and skill to provide the best outcomes, even for complex cases.

Columbia has pioneered the field of transcatheter valve replacement, playing a leading role in the landmark PARTNER clinical trials that helped establish TAVR as a safe and effective alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement.
As part of the Columbia Structural Heart and Valve Center, our aortic valve care team offers outstanding results over other area programs.
We offer access to the latest innovations for improved safety and effectiveness, including reduced risk for complications like stroke.

To make an appointment with our Aortic Valve Care team, please call (212) 342-0444 or complete our online appointment request form.

What is Aortic Valve Disease?

The aortic valve controls blood flow from the left ventricle of the heart into the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body. Aortic valve disease keeps the valve from functioning properly and has two main forms:

Aortic regurgitation: when the aortic valve cannot close properly, blood flows backward into the left ventricle. This reversed flow creates pressure that can cause structural damage to the heart.
Aortic stenosis: when the aortic valve stiffens, it becomes difficult for blood to flow out. The heart is forced to work harder, which can lead to long-term damage (heart failure).

Learn More About Aortic Valve Disease

Our Services

We offer the latest treatments for aortic valve disease, including access to clinical trials for the most advanced new devices and procedures.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure that that replaces a diseased aortic valve without open heart surgery. Using advanced imaging techniques for guidance, a replacement valve device is delivered to the heart through a catheter inserted into a blood vessel in the groin, shoulder or neck. The device is then implanted within the diseased or failing valve.

In 2019, TAVR was approved by the FDA for patients with low surgical risk, in addition to intermediate and high-risk patients. TAVR is now an option for the majority of patients with aortic stenosis, offering a much shorter recovery time and lower procedural risk than open heart surgery.

Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR)

A mechanical or biological tissue valve is implanted to take over for the damaged aortic valve. This type of treatment is highly effective, but as with all major surgeries, can take a significant toll on the body. This approach is not appropriate for all patients, but SAVR may be a more appropriate choice for some patients, including younger patients who might benefit from a mechanical valve, patients with unique valve anatomy, or those with smaller blood vessels.

Learn More About Aortic Valve Treatments

Program Highlights

An Unmatched Wealth of Aortic Valve Expertise

The Center works with specialists from Columbia’s Aortic Center and the Schneeweiss Adult Congenital Heart Center to offer comprehensive, collaborative care for all patients with aortic valve issues, even in cases of complex disease or anatomy.

A Leading Site for Aortic Valve Research

Columbia is an epicenter for clinical research and is a main site for major clinical trials. We are proud to have helped develop some of the most impactful advances and devices in the field, including TAVR. And we’re active in research into ways to make transcatheter procedures even safer, including embolic debris filters to reduce the risk of stroke.

Outcomes You Can Trust

The Columbia Structural Heart and Valve Center has a proven track record of superior outcomes compared to other local hospitals, all while taking on the toughest cases. Our team of interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons work together to determine the best approach for treatment, including minimally invasive procedures and hybrid surgery.

World-Class Imaging

Thanks to our unparalleled excellence in cardiac imaging, we can tailor our procedures to your specific anatomy with confidence. We aim to deliver outstanding results, not just in the short term, but for years to come.

A Team to Partner With For Years to Come

Valve diseases are chronic, long term conditions that require lifelong support. Our comprehensive care team will partner with you for long-term followup and management.

Care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is home to one of the most advanced Catheterization Laboratory in the nation. Our team provides the highest level of care using the latest technology, including on-site access to advanced diagnostic testing to ensure your treatment is fast, comfortable, and effective.

Columbia Virtual Visits

For some appointments, it may not be necessary to come into the office at all. We offer Virtual Visit Telehealth appointments so you can see your doctor from the comfort of your own home. When you contact us to make an appointment, our team will work with you to determine if a Virtual Visit is right for you.

What Specialist Will Be Part of My Care?

Interventional Cardiologist

An interventional cardiologist is trained to perform minimally invasive transcatheter procedures using a thin tube called a catheter inserted into an artery or vein to access and treat the heart and blood vessels. There are different subspecialties of interventional cardiologists, depending on what conditions they treat. Most transcatheter procedures are performed in a specialized facility called a catheterization laboratory, or cath lab for short.

A structural heart and valve specialist is an interventional cardiologist who can diagnose and treat valvular heart disease. When the heart's valves don't open and close properly, it becomes harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. Thanks to recent advances, man-made valves can be inserted and implanted to take over the function of the diseased valves without open surgery. Because of their complexity, structural heart procedures like valve replacements are performed in a cath lab.

Cardiac Imaging Specialist

A cardiac imaging specialist provides essential information for diagnosing heart problems and guiding interventional procedures. They use advanced imaging technologies like computed tomography (CT), echocardiography, and X-rays to create accurate images of the heart and blood vessels. Imaging specialists and interventional cardiologists work together to map out procedures in real-time—without open surgery.

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

A cardiothoracic surgeon performs traditional heart surgery—the chest is opened, and the heart is accessed directly. For some complex procedures, cardiothoracic surgeons and structural heart and valve specialists work together to perform hybrid procedures, combining elements of interventional cardiology and traditional surgery.

General Cardiologist

A general cardiologist can diagnose and treat many forms of heart disease. These doctors are patients' first point of contact and play an important role in managing heart health. When patients with heart disease can no longer manage their symptoms with medication and lifestyle changes, general cardiologists may refer them to interventional cardiologists for treatment. General cardiologists also work with the interventional care team to manage a patient's recovery and long-term heart health.

Our Team

Locations

CUIMC/Herbert Irving Pavilion
161 Fort Washington Avenue
New York, NY 10032

CUIMC/Milstein Hospital Building
177 Ft. Washington Avenue
New York, NY 10032

ColumbiaDoctors - 1995 Route 17m
1995 Route 17m
Goshen, NY 10924

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment with our Aortic Valve Care team, please call 212-342-0444. You can also complete our online appointment request form, and our office will follow up with you soon.

We accept most major insurance plans and can verify your plan when you call to make your appointment.