Vastly Improving Outcomes for Heart Valve Disease at Allegheny Health Network

Walter McGregor, MD
Credit: Allegheny Health Network

Mitral valve disease is the most common form of heart valve disease in the US, but it’s not always easy to detect in its early stages.

“People can present with just fatigue,” said Walter McGregor, MD, director of the cardiac surgery division at AHN. “They’re not feeling well and they don’t have the same drive or energy that they used to, but they’re not sure if it’s just aging or something that’s a problem.”

Some of the other signs and symptoms that a patient might present that indicate mitral valve disease include dyspnea, orthopnea, and a new murmur. To help improve the outcomes for these patients, they should be referred to a cardiologist or cardiac surgeon with expertise in mitral valve disease.

“Early referral empowers patients by allowing them to make informed decisions about their treatment options,” said McGregor. “It can lead to improved long-term patient outcomes, including increased life expectancy and quality of life.”

Patients who are referred early are more likely to have a successful mitral valve repair and are less likely to experience complications or need further surgery.

“In the world of heart surgery, there aren't a lot of things that allow us to keep people on a normal life expectancy curve, and early referral is one of them,” said McGregor. “It's truly a chance to almost cure a disease state, which is exciting.”

The AHN Mitral Valve Program at Allegheny General Hospital is one of around 20 programs throughout the country designated by the American Heart Association and the Mitral Foundation for mitral valve repair work. The program was awarded that designation in 2023 and is the only program in Pennsylvania to receive that designation.

Patients referred to the AHN Mitral Valve Program have access to the latest surgical techniques and technologies, including minimally invasive robotic surgery that helps them recover faster and boasts improved cosmetic outcomes.

“We work very hard to understand every individual’s disease state,” said McGregor. “We make sure that we have a genuine appreciation of any risks that they might have so we can mitigate that risk and come up with the best therapy option for them.”

While most patients with isolated mitral valve disease are good candidates for minimally invasive surgery, patients with significant iliofemoral calcification or a moderate or greater amount of calcium around their mitral valve may be better suited for traditional open-heart surgery.

“The first thing that I really try to emphasize for our patients is that no matter what treatment that we guide them toward and recommend, we’re always looking to partner with our patients on these decisions,” McGregor adds.

At the end of the day, early referral to a cardiac surgeon with expertise in mitral valve disease is crucial for optimal patient outcomes.

“If there’s a leading cardiologist or a leading cardiac surgeon in your medical community that really champions themselves as being a leader in the mitral valve space, that’s the person to get your patients into for an evaluation,” said McGregor. “When your patients see someone with an experienced eye in the mitral disease space, you’ll find that they’re better able to make the decision as to who can wait for surgery versus who needs surgery sooner rather than later.”

To make a referral to the AHN Mitral Valve Program, call 412-359-8180 or 1-800-MD-REFER.