The Center for Valve Surgery is available by scheduled appointment or on an emergency basis.
Our phone number is 845.368.8800
Most insurance plans area ccepted.
Center for Valve Surgery
When blood flows between the four different chambers of your heart, it flows through one of four valves—the aortic, mitral, tricuspid and pulmonary valves. These valves open and close at the right time to let blood go through and to stop blood from flowing backward (called regurgitation). Sometimes, a valve doesn’t open wide enough, and doesn’t let the proper amount of blood go through (called stenosis).
When the valves become diseased and don’t operate properly, your doctor may recommend heart valve surgery to repair or replace one or more of your valves. When a valve needs to be replaced, your surgeon will make the proper choice between a tissue (human or animal) or mechanical valve.
Please click here for "the center for valve surgery" brochure.
A Dedicated Team and Expertise in Valve Surgery
Although we have performed valve surgery since the institute opened its doors, we now have a center dedicated solely to this type of surgery, under the leadership of cardiothoracic surgeon Rawn Salenger, MD
Our team offers both surgical and non-surgical treatment options, depending on the needs of the patient. Everyone we treat, however, receives an individualized, comprehensive plan—where our experts thoroughly explain and guide you through every option.
Our Approach, Based on the Latest Surgical Techniques
Whenever possible, we strive to repair a patient’s own valve by trimming, shaping or rebuilding its leaflets. If it can’t be restored, we’ll turn to a tissue or mechanical valve—but even then, we use a technique that helps create a natural connection between the replaced valve and the heart. This helps improve how your heart functions.
A Critical Early Step, Done Right
To evaluate how a heart valve is functioning, we often turn to an echocardiogram. This is an important test, because it often sets your specific treatment plan into motion to repair the problem. That’s why we have our own staff of cardiologists evaluating our echocardiogram tests. It’s a difference that can help create better outcomes.