MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The WVU Heart and Vascular Institute has received the prestigious Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award from the American Heart Association and the Mitral Foundation for demonstrating a consistent record of high volumes, superior clinical outcomes, and durability resulting from mitral valve repair. The national recognition by an expert panel of cardiologists and surgeons from across the United States places the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute as one of the top 10 heart programs for mitral valve surgery in the country.
Mitral regurgitation, or leaking mitral valve, is the most common heart valve abnormality associated with mitral valve prolapse. When the mitral valve leaks due to degenerative prolapse, mitral valve repair is superior to replacement for all outcomes including long-term survival. However, repairing the valve takes experience, teamwork, and a hospital dedicated to supporting this unique specialty. The WVU Medicine team has long been recognized for its expertise of mitral valve repair and robotic mitral surgery by cardiologists, surgeons, and patients from across the United States.
“This recognition further solidifies our multidisciplinary team as national leaders in the field of cardiovascular healthcare,” Vinay Badhwar, M.D., WVU Heart and Vascular Institute executive chair and Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery chair, said. “At the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, we are committed to the specialized effort to provide the most advanced and comprehensive care for valvular heart disease. Our team’s dedication to achieving essentially a 100 percent rate of repair for degenerative mitral valve disease is a testament to our mission to provide access to the highest quality heart care to every citizen of West Virginia and beyond.”
The American Heart Association certified the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute after it uniquely met specific high quality achievement measures in adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines as well as an ongoing commitment to reporting and measuring quality and outcome metrics specific to mitral valve repairs.
More information about the American Heart Association and Mitral Foundation Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award is available at heart.org and WVUMedicine.org/Heart.