Celebrating Excellence in Mitral Valve Repair Surgery

When it comes to serious health concerns like mitral valve disease, finding the right health care provider is critical. One of the ways patients can trust they're in good hands is by seeking out a hospital that's earned the Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award by the American Heart Association and the Mitral Foundation. For the sixth consecutive year, Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital has been recognized with that distinguished honor. This prestigious designation not only recognizes high volume centers of excellence but also provides peace of mind to patients and their families.

As the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Emory Healthcare, I recognize what it takes to receive this designation, and how high-volume centers of excellence have the potential to transform patient care and outcomes. I’m sharing why earning the Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center award matters, the role of technology in achieving excellence, and what patients can expect when treated in our health care system.

The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award is granted by the American Heart Association and the Mitral Foundation to institutions that excel in the field of mitral valve repair, emphasizing quality, volume and patient outcomes.

To receive this designation, hospitals must meet strict criteria, including a high volume of surgical procedures, consistent repair rates over 95%, and surgical outcomes with less than 1% mortality for degenerative mitral valve disease.

Since its inception, the award has been a beacon for patients seeking advanced care from specialists who are recognized for their expertise and commitment to superior clinical outcomes. At Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital, we are proud to be part of such an elite group, and our statistics speak volumes:

• Over 99% repair rate for degenerative (prolapse) mitral valve disease.
• Mortality rate of less than 1%, with most years achieving 0%.
• Over 6,000 robotic heart surgeries performed across Emory Healthcare, with more than 4,000 being robotic mitral valve repair surgeries.

These numbers are much more than benchmarks. They’re evidence of a philosophy centered on specialized care, innovative techniques and dedication to every single patient.

Why the Award Matters for Patients

For patients, navigating the healthcare system can feel overwhelming. Many may not know what "reference center" designations mean or how to find a facility that specializes in high-quality, high-volume mitral valve repair surgery. The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award was designed to solve this challenge by highlighting centers where patients can expect best-in-class care.

At Emory Healthcare, we offer all available treatment options to treat mitral valve disease. In addition to our expert surgical team, we also have highly specialized structural heart disease specialists who offer transcatheter options for those that may be better treated with this approach. Our structural cardiologists at Emory have trained many of the structural cardiologists practicing in Georgia.

For our patients, choosing a reference center can mean the difference between valve repair and replacement, shorter recovery times and improved quality of life.

Mitral valve disease affects up to 2% of the population, yet only a small fraction of those with severe regurgitation receive the advanced care they need. By consolidating care into high-volume centers like ours, patients benefit from expertise that's hard to match elsewhere.

One of the defining pillars of our success lies in our use of robotic surgery for mitral valve repair. Since Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital adopted this cutting-edge approach in the early 2000s, we’ve witnessed a revolution in patient outcomes and procedural efficiency.

Here’s why robotic surgery has been a game-changer:

• Enhanced Precision: Robotic assistance allows for greater surgical accuracy, leading to better repair durability, improved patient safety and fewer complications.
  
  
• Reduced Recovery Time: Patients experience shorter hospital stays and faster recoveries compared to traditional methods.
  
  
• Minimized Risks: Lower rates of bleeding, infection and stroke are directly correlated with the robotic approach.

Our commitment to this technology has made Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital Georgia’s highest-volume center for mitral valve surgeries. And our success has been further validated by being the only health care institution in the region to hold a 3-star rating for mitral valve repair and replacement from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, a designation awarded to facilities that adhere to the most rigorous quality and performance standards.

Expert Teams Make the Difference 

Robotic technology alone doesn’t create exceptional care. Behind every surgery is a team of highly specialized, dedicated professionals working in harmony. This includes:

• Cardiothoracic surgeons with subspecialty expertise.
• Specialized nurses, anesthesiologists, and perfusionists trained exclusively for mitral valve procedures.
• Highly experienced first assistants and techs, ensuring seamless execution in every case. 

This team-driven approach is one of the reasons why our outcomes consistently outperform national and global benchmarks.

At Emory Healthcare, patient care is about much more than surgical techniques and statistics. We focus on creating a comprehensive, personalized experience for every individual who trusts us with their heart health.

Here’s what you can expect when you choose us:

1. Thorough Evaluations
   Every patient is assessed to ensure they receive the best possible treatment for their specific condition. Whether robotic or manual surgery is recommended, the decision is tailored to maximize safety and success.
   
   
2. One-on-One Guidance
   We walk patients and their families through every step of their treatment, addressing concerns, outlining expectations, and celebrating milestones together.
   
   
3. Evidence-Based Practices
   All of our procedures are grounded in the latest research and clinical trials, ensuring you receive care that’s not only effective but also forward-thinking.
   
   
4. Support Beyond Surgery
   Recovery is a team effort. Patients receive tailored follow-up care, along with access to educational resources to support their long-term health goals.

Recognizing Excellence in Heart Care

Receiving the Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award is both an honor and a responsibility. For us at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital, this recognition isn’t just a mark of past achievements but a motivator to continually raise the bar in patient care.

We understand that a procedure like mitral valve repair can feel daunting. That’s why we strive to combine cutting-edge technology with compassionate, personalized care to ensure each patient feels supported throughout their health journey.

Learn More About Mitral Valve Repair

Choosing the right healthcare provider is one of the most important decisions for your heart health. At Emory Healthcare, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Learn more about our approach, outcomes and how we can help you.