VALHALLA, NY ― In a landmark achievement for cardiovascular care in the Hudson Valley, Westchester Medical Center once again earned national recognition for its cutting-edge, life-saving heart valve treatments. The hospital has received recertification from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for its premier transcatheter valve therapies program, affirming its status as a regional and statewide leader in minimally invasive heart care.
With more than 1,000 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures performed – more than any hospital in the Hudson Valley – Westchester Medical Center’s expertise is not only unmatched in the region, it’s also reshaping the future of heart care for the most complex patients.
This certification places Westchester Medical Center in exclusive company as one of just six hospitals in New York State to earn this prestigious distinction.
“This recertification reflects our relentless pursuit of excellence as a beacon of hope for those patients in need of heart valve intervention,” said Julio A. Panza, MD, Director of the Department of Cardiology. “These procedures, as an alternative to traditional valve surgery in properly selected patients, are nothing short of miraculous.”
This certification acknowledges Westchester Medical Center's excellence in transcatheter valve therapies, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for mitral and tricuspid valves, and advanced mitral and tricuspid valve replacements (TMVR/TTVR).
For community members with heart valve disease, this means life-changing care close to home, faster recovery times, and greater hope for high-risk patients. It also means peace of mind for families as Westchester Medical Center has unparalleled experience in performing the procedure.
What this Means for Patients
TAVR, one of the cornerstone procedures of the program, replaces faulty aortic heart valves through a minimally invasive catheter approach rather than open-heart surgery. Since this technology's FDA approval in 2011, more than 300,000 TAVR procedures have been performed nationwide, with Westchester Medical Center leading the region in experience and volume.
Similarly, TEER mitral and tricuspid therapies allow for repair of leaking heart valves through a catheter inserted through the femoral vein, bringing valve leaflets together to reduce leakage. These interventions help patients feel better with fewer heart failure symptoms and hospital admissions, while avoiding the risks of open-heart surgery.
The transcatheter valve program is one of many cardiac care surgical solutions offered by WMCHealth's Heart and Vascular Institute. The institute recently expanded its services with the addition of a Robotic Mitral Valve Surgical Program led by Makoto Hibino, MD, who is also part of the transcatheter valve team. Physicians or families seeking consultations with WMCHealth's Heart and Vascular Institute should call 914.493.8793, option number 4, to schedule an appointment or visit WMCHealth.org. The transcatheter team sees patients in Valhalla, Kingston, and New Windsor.
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