All Specialties
Gayle and Tom Benson Heart Valve Center
Every year, more than five million people in America are diagnosed with heart valve disease and structural heart disease. Fortunately, open heart surgery is no longer the only solution. Here in the Gulf South, patients are finding the world-class care they deserve at the Gayle and Tom Benson Heart Valve Center at Ochsner Medical Center at 1514 Jefferson Highway. Our nationally ranked team has the talent, experience and technology required to treat patients with a full range of heart valve conditions, including open surgical procedures and minimally invasive transcatheter procedures.
Why Heart Valve Disease Treatment at Ochsner?
2,000+
Ochsner has performed more than 2,000 TAVR cases.
Treating or replacing damaged heart valves is like anything else–the more times you do it, the better you are at it. The multi-disciplinary team at the Ochsner Heart Valve Center routinely performs a high volume of both traditional open heart surgery and minimally invasive trans-catheter valve repair and replacements. As one of the original TAVR centers, our team has as much experience as anyone in the world.
Across the country and here at Ochsner, this procedure is extending the lives of more and more intermediate and high-risk patients patients who are high risk or inoperable surgically or who prefer a minimally invasive procedure to open surgery. Since the program’s inception, Ochsner has performed more than 2000 TAVR cases and has been recognized for having one of the shortest lengths of stays in the nation for TAVR patients. What’s more, our outcomes are superior as recognized by US News and World Reports.
Our highly experienced team of cardiac surgeons has long been the referral center for the Gulf South for complex valvular heart disease and aortic aneurysm repair. The myriad of conditions they treat are listed in the "Treatment in Testing" tab.
Likewise, our highly experienced cardiologists have also been the referral center for complex heart disease, including valvular heart disease, for over 30 years. The specific conditions they treat alone or with our surgical colleagues are also listed in the "Treatment and Testing" tab.
Find Out More About Heart Valve Disease Treatment
If you have a heart murmur, your primary care physician may recommend you visit a cardiologist. If your symptoms suggest a heart valve disorder, your cardiologist may refer you to the Ochsner Heart Valve Center.
If you’d like to speak to a cardiology nurse who can assist you with making an appointment, call 504-842-3724.
Meet the Team
The skilled, knowledgeable team at the Ochsner Heart Valve Center has a combined 180 years of experience. The team is comprised of interventional cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, electrophysiologists, pulmonologists, radiologists, cardiac anesthesiologists, adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology and specially trained and experienced cardiac critical care nurses. We also coordinate with professionals in other subspecialties.
This is a care team that truly cares and is here to answer all your questions. Our Spanish-speaking patients find comfort knowing they can be treated by doctors and nurses who speak their language.
Stephen R. Ramee, MD, FACC, MSCAI
Medical Director, Gayle and Tom Benson Heart Valve Center
Jose David Tafur Soto, MD, FACC, FSCAI
Tyrone J. Collins, MD, FACC, MSCAI
J. Stephen Jenkins, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FSVM
Laurie Ventura, RN
Monica Prechac, RN
Candace White, RN
Eight Superb Cardiac Anesthesiologists
Heart Valve Disease 101
Your heart has four valves that keep blood flowing in the proper direction: the tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral and aortic. With heart valve disease, one or more of the valves in your heart doesn't open and/or close as it should, disrupting the blood flow through your heart to your body.
Symptoms
While signs and symptoms of a heart valve disorder may not appear for many years, they may include:
- Exertional chest discomfort
- Exertional shortness of breath
- Dizziness and/or fainting
- Fatigue
- Heart murmur
- Irregular heartbeat
- Swelling of your ankles and feet
Complications
Heart valve disease can cause complications, such as:
- Blood clots
- Heart failure
- Heart rhythm abnormalities
- Stroke
- Death
Heart Valve Problems
Heart valve problems may occur with any of the four heart valves, whether native valves or artificial valves, and may include:
- Regurgitation (or backflow) – Occurs when a valve doesn't close tightly. Blood leaks back into the chambers when it should flow forward through the heart or into an artery. This happens most often as a result of prolapse. Prolapse is when the flaps of the valve flop or bulge back into an upper heart chamber during a heartbeat.
- Stenosis – Occurs if the flaps of a valve thicken, stiffen or fuse together, preventing the valve from fully opening and allowing enough blood to flow through.
- Infection
- Paravalvular Leak—Occurs when an artificial valve has a leak around the suture line or stent that holds it in place
Risks
Factors that can increase your risk of developing heart valve disease include:
- Advanced age
- Certain forms of heart disease
- A prior heart attack
- Congenital heart disease (present at birth)
- Congenital heart failure
- Congestive heart failure
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Previous infections that can affect the heart
Conditions treated at the Ochsner Heart Valve Center
Patients come from all over the Gulf South and beyond, seeking treatment for the following conditions:
- Atrial septal defect (ASD)
- Aortic stenosis (AS) and regurgitation
- Aortic aneurysm
- Complex combined coronary artery and valvular heart disease
- Failing artificial heart valves
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Mitral stenosis and regurgitation
- Pulmonary stenosis and regurgitation
- Tricuspid stenosis and regurgitation
Heart Valve Disorder procedures offered:
- Aortic valve non-surgical replacement (TAVR)
- Aortic valve surgical repair and replacement
- Surgical mitral valve repair and replacement
- Surgical mitral valve repair and replacement
- Non-surgical mitral valve repair (Mitra-clip)
- Balloon mitral valvuloplasty
- Surgical pulmonary valve repair and replacement
- Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement
- Pulmonary valvuloplasty
- Paravalvular leak closure
- Surgical maze procedure
- Atrial appendage occlusion (Watchman and Lariat devices)
- Non-Surgical atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure
Diagnostic tests we perform at the Ochsner Heart Valve Center
The Heart Valve Center team has access to cutting-edge diagnostic equipment and is highly skilled on how to use it.
- We are home to the Gulf South regions’ only Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (Cardiac MRI) – a state-of-the-art, radiation-free test that lets our doctors see inside your body without having to perform surgery
We also offer:
- Cardiac catheterization and stenting
- Cardiac CTA (coronary computed tomography angiography, non-invasive angiograms)
- Intra-cardiac ultrasound
Heart Valve Disorder Procedures Offered
Your treatment will depend on which heart valve or valves are affected as well as on the type and severity of your valve disease.
Procedures we perform, include:
- Transfemoral and Transcaval BAV and TAVR
- Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty, Mitraclip and TMVR
- Pulmonic Valve Balloon and Replacement
- Failing Bioprosthetic Valve Replacement
- Paravalvular leak repair
- Left Atrial Appendage closure
- Alcohol Ablation for HOCM
- PFO, ASD, VSD and intracardiac shunt repair
Surgical Structural Repair and Replacement
- Ascending aorta and aortic root
- Aortic, Mitral, and Tricuspid Valve repair and replacement
- MAZE and LAA exclusion for afib
- Septal myomectomy for HOCM
- ASD, VSD, Pulmonic Valve
- Pulmonary thromboembolectomy
- Transcatheter Procedures: TA, TAx, TAo TAVR and TMVR
Clinical Trials/Research
Ochsner is a teaching/research hospital, always in search of better and safer ways to treat heart valve conditions. Since the beginning, our patients have benefitted from our participation in leading-edge clinical trials.
Click here for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will I have to be in the hospital?
This depends, of course, on the kind of procedure you have.
Some transcatheter procedures are done as outpatient, same day discharge procedures including Mitraclip, Pascal and Watchman device implantations. Transfemoral TAVR generally requires one night in the hospital, because it is done without surgery. If a surgical incision is needed for TAVR, it will require 1-5 nights in the hospital.
Will I feel better right after surgery?
While many people feel relief from symptoms immediately, it takes a few weeks for others. Your doctor will be able to tell you what to expect.
How long after valve surgery can I resume normal activity?
This depends on several factors, including the type of surgery you had and how well you’re healing. Again, your doctor will give you instructions.
How long does an artificial heart valve last?
That depends on several variables your doctor will be happy to discuss with you. To assess heart valve function, we recommend an annual echocardiogram and check-up.
Will I need to take any medications following my valve surgery?
If you receive a mechanical valve, you will have to take blood thinners for life. Your doctor and the team will let you know what, if any, medications you will have to take.
Do I have to be careful when I go to the dentist?
Always make your dentist and others doctors aware that you have had heart valve surgery. You may need to take antibiotics before certain procedures to help prevent valve infection.
Below, you'll find an educational video for patients undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement at Ochsner Medical Center.
Know Your Heart
The heart has four valves:
- Tricuspid
- Pulmonary
- Mitral
- Aortic
Heart valves can have three basic problems:
- Regurgitation (or backflow) – Occurs when a valve doesn't close tightly. Blood leaks back into the chambers when it should flow forward through the heart or into an artery. This happens most often as a result of prolapse. Prolapse is when the flaps of the valve flop or bulge back into an upper heart chamber during a heartbeat.
- Stenosis – Occurs if the flaps of a valve thicken, stiffen or fuse together, preventing the valve from fully opening and allowing enough blood to flow through.
- Infection – Occurs when a valve lacks an opening, making it impossible for blood to pass through.
Second Opinions
If you have been told you have a heart valve problem and you would like a second opinion, call the Benson Heart Valve Center at 504-842-3724.
Referring Physicians
Ochsner is the leading heart valve referral center in the Gulf South. We pride ourselves on collaborating with referring cardiologists freely, openly, and honestly. Your input is invaluable to us.
Our Process:
- Once we obtain (by fax, phone, and Fed-x or internet connection) all of the important clinical information we need (Cath, Echo, Insurance Information, records, etc.), we’ll arrange for the patient to be evaluated in clinic.
- Our nurse coordinators will schedule all necessary testing on one day, such as labwork, Echo, TTE, CTA, PFT’s, Frailty, STS score, and a Heart Valve Team evaluation.
- The heart valve teams reviews all pertinent information and evaluates the patient.
- Often, a treatment plan can be presented before the patient leaves the Heart Valve Center.
- Our goal is to schedule valve therapy within 2 to 4 weeks after testing for those patients who are candidates for such treatment.
Mail/Fed-Ex:
Gayle and Tom Benson Heart Valve Center
1514 Jefferson Hwy.
New Orleans, LA 70121
Phone:
504-842-3727
Fax:
504-842-5899
