Center for Valve Disorders
The Center for Valve Disorders provides a comprehensive
evaluation, diagnosis and treatment plan for patients with
any type of valvular heart disease. A multidisciplinary team
of interventional cardiologists, noninvasive cardiologists,
cardiothoracic surgeons, and cardiac imaging specialists
use advanced technologies and techniques to diagnose and
treat aortic, mitral, pulmonic, and tricuspid valve disease.
Patients and family members travel from across the United
States to the Center for a comprehensive examination
designed with patient convenience in mind. The first step
in the valve screening process includes a nearly all-day
diagnostic work-up. Next, clinical specialists meet with
the multidisciplinary team to review each case. Following
this review, patients receive recommendations about the
next steps in their treatment process.
Baylor Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital continues
to be one of the top volume centers for minimally invasive
valve repair and replacement procedures, and in research
on minimally invasive cardiovascular procedures. In fiscal
year 2017, the Center for Valve Disorders at Baylor Dallas
continued to be one of the few centers in the United States
to study the use of TAVR in low risk patients with aortic
stenosis. In addition, the Center participates in research
for asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis.
Since the early stages of TAVR, Robert Stoler, MD,
medical director of the cardiac catheterization lab and
co-director of the Division of Cardiology, and Paul
Grayburn, MD, administrative director of the non-
invasive lab, have conducted transcatheter mitral and
aortic valve studies leading to FDA approval of new
technologies for patients.
As a result, through the Center for Valve Disorders,
patients have access to clinical trials studying new devices
and treatment methods for valvular disease. Patients are
individually evaluated to determine if they qualify for a
clinical trial.
Robert Stoler, MD, FACC, FSCAI
Co-Medical Director of Cardiology and Medical Director of Catheterization Laboratory – Baylor Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital
“Our patients benefit from the innovative research we perform and have an opportunity to
enroll in research studies. The device manufacturers initially engage with only the highest
quality research facilities recognized for conducting advanced research led by world-
renowned, highly respected physicians – and that includes Baylor Hamilton Heart and
Vascular Hospital and The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano – the only cardiac centers in North
Texas that enjoy this recognition.”
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