{"id":8851,"date":"2012-07-11T14:31:10","date_gmt":"2012-07-11T19:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/?p=8851"},"modified":"2019-05-25T20:16:59","modified_gmt":"2019-05-26T01:16:59","slug":"northwestern-bicsupid-aortic-valve-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2012\/07\/11\/northwestern-bicsupid-aortic-valve-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Northwestern’s Bicuspid Aortic Valve Program Highlights Trend To Sub-Specialization"},"content":{"rendered":"

One trend I’ve noticed over the years is that surgeons and cardiac centers are becoming “sub-specialists” specific to heart valve treatment. By sub-specialization, I mean that clinics are extending significant resources to advance valvular therapy by disease type, by surgical technique and by patient risk factors. For example, three weeks ago, I met with a surgeon who suggested that 99% of his procedures are mitral valve repairs.<\/p>\n

Last Monday, the trend to “sub-specialization” became more apparent when Chicago-based Northwestern Memorial Hospital launched a dedicated Bicuspid Aortic Valve Program within its distinguished Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute.<\/p>\n

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\"Northwestern<\/a><\/p>\n

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Prior to learning about Northwestern’s BAV program, I knew that a handful of surgeons and cardiac centers specialized in bicuspid aortic valve treatment<\/a>.\u00a0 However, I had yet to hear of a complete, end-to-end program dedicated to bicuspid aortic valve disease — a disorder that impacts 1%-2% of the population.<\/p>\n

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\u201cCare for patients with a bicuspid aortic valve is complex,\u201d stated Dr. Patrick M. McCarthy<\/a>, director of Northwestern\u2019s Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. \u201cThis program is the first to support a patient from A to Z, through screening, monitoring, family assessment, treatment and research.\u201d<\/p>\n

To manage this unique program, Northwestern called upon leading physicians including Dr. Jyothy Puthumana, Dr. Paul Fedak<\/a>, Dr. Mark Markel and Doctor Chris Malaisrie<\/a>. Interestingly, this cross-functional team includes cardiologists, surgeons, radiologists and a dedicated research nurse.<\/p>\n

To learn more, I spoke with Colleen Clennon, RN, Bicuspid Aortic Valve Nurse Clinician, at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. Colleen noted, \u201cI’m here to make sure each patient with a BAV is taken care of throughout their entire treatment process.\u201d<\/p>\n

Congratulations to Northwestern for the launch of its BAV program! Like many patients in our community, I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve. That said, I believe this approach to specialized treatment will be very valuable for patients and their families — now and in the future.<\/p>\n