Leaders in minimally invasive heart valve repair and surgery Inova Structural Heart Disease Program
The Structural Heart Disease team at Inova is dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for people with disease that affects the internal functions of the heart – meaning the valves or walls separating the chambers of the heart.
We specialize in minimally invasive heart valve repair and replacement, and stroke risk reduction for AFib.
Have you been told you have any of these heart issues?
- Valvular heart disease
- Heart murmur
- Atrial septal defect
- "Hole in the heart"
- Aortic stenosis
- Valve or septum issues
Historically, these are issues that have been managed through open heart surgery. More recently, minimally invasive transcatheter therapies have revolutionized care for heart patients, offering better outcomes, shorter length of stay and a more rapid recovery. Our comprehensive approach identifies the best treatment options to suit each patient.
Treatment Options
Transaortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
TAVR has revolutionized the treatment of aortic stenosis, offering a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open aortic valve replacement surgery. The transcatheter approach allows for early ambulation, much shorter length of stay, and rapid recovery. Inova offers options for customizable heart valves including the Evolut PRO valve and Sapien 3 valve.
TAVR treatment options are available across all risk profiles including patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis.
Stroke Risk Reduction for AFib using the WATCHMAN™
This procedure is indicated for stroke risk reduction in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib) patients who are not candidates for chronic anticoagulation due to noncompliance, occupational restrictions, long-term bleeding or a strong preference not to take anticoagulants. After placement of the device, which is done in the cath lab followed by an overnight stay, patients can be discharged home with anticoagulation medications permanently discontinued after 45 days.
Learn more about WATCHMAN and meet the doctors who perform this procedure
TMVR and MitraClip®
The MitraClip procedure is indicated for people with significant symptomatic degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR>3+) who are not candidates for surgical mitral valve replacement due to prohibitive risk. The device is placed using a minimally invasive catheter-based approach and real-time imaging and patients generally are discharged home within three days.
Inova is the only hospital in the Washington DC area to offer the Intrepid™ TMVR system through the Apollo trial. This study will offer transcatheter mitral valve replacement to patients who are either ineligible or at increased risk for conventional mitral valve surgery.
Meet Our Team
Cardiologists
Meet our team of cardiologists, led by Dr. Matthew W. Sherwood, Co-director, Structural Heart/Valve Disease Program.
Nurse Practitioners
Contact Us or Refer a Patient
Call 703-776-3135 or complete our form to arrange consultation with one of our Structural Heart/Valve Disease Program physicians. Procedures are performed at Inova Heart and Vascular Institute's Fairfax Medical Campus, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church, VA 22042.