Patients will benefit from Stanford's long history of internationally recognized contributions in the treatment of valvular heart disease. These contributions include:

• Development of the Ross procedure, of which Stanford has the largest clinical experience in Northern California
  
  
• Site of extensive clinical trials extending over 30 years on bioprosthetic of “tissue” valves for the treatment of valvular heart disease
  
  
• Discovery of important new knowledge concerning the pathophysiology and treatment of mitral valve disease
  
  
• Development of an active valve-sparing  aortic root replacement program that saves the patient’s own aortic valve in cases of an aneurysm of the ascending aorta (applicable both for patients who have connective tissue disorders, e.g. Marfan syndrome, and those who do not).

Many of these novel discoveries can directly benefit patients through their translation into clinical treatment for mitral valve pathology that has led to improved outcomes, particularly in the area of mitral valve repair.

Specific services available for patients suffering from valvular heart disease include:

• Minimally invasive, limited incision valve repair and valve replacement
  
  
• Autologous pulmonary valve for aortic valve replacement (Ross procedure)
  
  
• Use of stentless aortic valves
  
  
• Advanced mitral valve repair for mitral prolapse
  
  
• Mitral valve repair for congestive heart failure
  
  
• Valve-sparing aortic root replacement
  
  
• Adjunctive procedures for atrial fibrillation
  

Heart valves can have one of two malfunctions:

• Regurgitation
  The valve(s) does not close completely, causing the blood to flow backward instead of forward through the valve.

• Stenosis
  The valve(s) opening becomes narrowed or does not form properly, inhibiting the flow of blood out of the ventricle or atria. The heart is forced to pump blood with increased force in order to move blood through the stiff (stenotic) valve(s).

Heart valves can have both malfunctions at the same time (regurgitation and stenosis). When heart valves fail to open and close properly, the implications for the heart can be serious, possibly hampering the heart's ability to pump blood adequately through the body. Heart valve problems are one cause of heart failure.

Surgical Treatments

• Valve Repair or Replacement for the affected valve — aortic, tricuspid, mitral, pulmonic.
  
  
• Valve Replacement
  • Bioprosthetic or  “tissue” valves
  • Ross Procedure

Your aortic valve can be surgically replaced in three ways:

1. Aortic valve replacement with a preserved donor valve.
   
   
2. Aortic valve replacement with a mechanical valve.
   
   
3. The Ross procedure - surgery in which the aortic valve is removed and replaced by the patient’s pulmonary valve. Then the pulmonary valve is replaced with a preserved donor pulmonary valve.
   
   The Ross procedure offers several advantages over traditional aortic valve replacement with manufactured prostheses:
   
   
   • Longevity is superior to bioprostheses which tend to degenerate after only a a few years in patients under 35 years of age.
     
     
   • Anticoagulation is not required as with mechanical valves. Thus, individuals can lead an active life without the risks associated with anticoagulation therapy.
     

Learn more about Aortic Disease.