INDIANAPOLIS – Research shows that if a person with a heart valve condition is followed on a regular basis by a specialist, treatment can prevent damage to the heart.
That’s the thrust behind the newly established Midwest Heart Valve Center – the only center in central Indiana where all the patients’ needs are met for heart valve disease, with specially trained physicians and staff experienced in the diagnosis, treatment, repair and replacement of heart valves.
The center pools the expertise of physicians at the St. Francis Heart Center, in collaboration with Indiana Heart Physicians and Cardiac Surgery Associates. The center’s day-to-day team is A. O. Akinwande, M.D.; Marc W. Gerdisch, M.D.; Mark A. Jones, M.D.; Monica Khot, M.D.; Umesh Khot, M.D., Irwin Labin, M.D.; Richard Shea, M.D.; Nicola Francalancia, M.D.; and Manesh Parikshak, M.D.
Valves are leaflets in the heart that allow for proper blood flow between heart chambers. Heart valve disease occurs when a valve either fails to open properly or fails to close completely. The sounds created by these abnormalities are commonly referred to as “murmurs.”
Services at the center include a multidisciplinary clinic at Indiana Heart, offering echocardiography, evaluation by heart valve specialists, patient education, and dental recommendations. Each patient leaves with a personalized care plan.
The American College of Cardiology Guidelines for Heart Valve Disease makes it clear that patients should be referred for repair of the mitral valve instead of replacement whenever possible.
St. Francis has ensured that people have access to these life extending treatments. Repair is the most frequently performed mitral valve surgery at St Francis.
According to St. Francis medical experts, it is easier to replace the valve, but when a person has a valve replacement, they have to deal with the long term risks of the replacement, including stroke, lifelong anti-coagulation for mechanical valves and valve deterioration for biologic valves. When surgery is timed properly and the valve is repaired, these issues are avoided and the person can be restored to a normal life expectancy.
Valve disease can cause damage to the heart before a person notices any symptoms. It is important that anyone with a valve that does not function normally is followed appropriately. The Midwest Heart Valve Center provides patients ongoing follow-up and care plan adjustments to ensure that their hearts remain healthy.
More information about the Midwest Heart Valve Center is at www.stfrancishospitals.org/heart. Those interested also can call toll-free, 1-877-788-2583.
That’s the thrust behind the newly established Midwest Heart Valve Center – the only center in central Indiana where all the patients’ needs are met for heart valve disease, with specially trained physicians and staff experienced in the diagnosis, treatment, repair and replacement of heart valves.
The center pools the expertise of physicians at the St. Francis Heart Center, in collaboration with Indiana Heart Physicians and Cardiac Surgery Associates. The center’s day-to-day team is A. O. Akinwande, M.D.; Marc W. Gerdisch, M.D.; Mark A. Jones, M.D.; Monica Khot, M.D.; Umesh Khot, M.D., Irwin Labin, M.D.; Richard Shea, M.D.; Nicola Francalancia, M.D.; and Manesh Parikshak, M.D.
Valves are leaflets in the heart that allow for proper blood flow between heart chambers. Heart valve disease occurs when a valve either fails to open properly or fails to close completely. The sounds created by these abnormalities are commonly referred to as “murmurs.”
Services at the center include a multidisciplinary clinic at Indiana Heart, offering echocardiography, evaluation by heart valve specialists, patient education, and dental recommendations. Each patient leaves with a personalized care plan.
The American College of Cardiology Guidelines for Heart Valve Disease makes it clear that patients should be referred for repair of the mitral valve instead of replacement whenever possible.
St. Francis has ensured that people have access to these life extending treatments. Repair is the most frequently performed mitral valve surgery at St Francis.
According to St. Francis medical experts, it is easier to replace the valve, but when a person has a valve replacement, they have to deal with the long term risks of the replacement, including stroke, lifelong anti-coagulation for mechanical valves and valve deterioration for biologic valves. When surgery is timed properly and the valve is repaired, these issues are avoided and the person can be restored to a normal life expectancy.
Valve disease can cause damage to the heart before a person notices any symptoms. It is important that anyone with a valve that does not function normally is followed appropriately. The Midwest Heart Valve Center provides patients ongoing follow-up and care plan adjustments to ensure that their hearts remain healthy.
More information about the Midwest Heart Valve Center is at www.stfrancishospitals.org/heart. Those interested also can call toll-free, 1-877-788-2583.
