Hackensack University Medical Center Receives Recognition as a Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center for Second Year from the American Heart Association and the Mitral Foundation   

Hackensack University Medical Center Receives Recognition as a Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center for Second Year from the American Heart Association and the Mitral Foundation

Award recognizes Hackensack University Medical Center’s commitment to best practices, quality for mitral valve repair

Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center has received the Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award from the American Heart Association and the Mitral Foundation for a demonstrated record of superior clinical outcomes resulting from evidence-based, guideline-directed degenerative mitral valve repair. 

Hackensack University Medical Center is a leading provider of cardiovascular care, ranked #43 in the nation, the highest ranked medical center in the state for Cardiology & Heart Surgery by U.S. News & World Report.

This is the second consecutive year Hackensack University Medical Center has achieved this recognition since the program launched in November of 2019. Currently only 22 hospitals across the country have earned this elite award. 

The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award was developed to identify, recognize and promote the nation’s recognized medical centers for mitral valve repair surgery. Hackensack University Medical Center earned the award for demonstrating adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines as well as an ongoing commitment to reporting and measuring quality and outcome metrics specific to mitral valve repairs.

The recommended treatment for degenerative mitral valve disease is mitral valve reconstruction, as opposed to valve replacement with a bioprosthetic or mechanical valve. Valve repair is associated with improved survival and fewer long-term complications than valve replacement. Many patients who would have benefited from valve repair instead receive replacement valves, resulting in higher rates of death or complications within five years after surgery.  

“We are pleased to recognize Hackensack University Medical Center for their commitment to patients who need mitral valve repair,” said Robert O. Bonow, M.D., professor of cardiology at Northwestern University and past president of the American Heart Association. “Choosing the right hospital for heart surgery is one of the most important healthcare decisions that patients and their referring physicians must make to ensure best outcomes. The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center award identifies hospitals with excellent processes and outcomes and gives patients and cardiologists the information necessary to make these important decisions when mitral valve surgery is required.” 

“Receiving this recognition for a second time is a testament to the skill and dedication of our entire cardiac surgery team,” said Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, president, Northern Region, and president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack Meridian Health. “This is another example of our commitment to offer the latest technologies to the members of the communities we serve while delivering outstanding outcomes.”

“The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Award is a highly selective award that sets our cardiac surgery team apart from other hospitals locally and nationally, and we couldn’t be more proud to earn this recognition for a second time,” said David B. Landers, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, interim director, Heart and Vascular Hospital; executive director, Cardiovascular Partners, Hackensack University Medical Center and assistant professor of Cardiology, Hackensack Meridian Health School of Medicine. “Hackensack University Medical Center earned this award by demonstrating adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines as well as an ongoing commitment to reporting and measuring quality and outcome metrics specific to mitral valve repairs.”

“Mitral valve disease and its complications affect tens of thousands of patients each year,” explained Mark Anderson, M.D., chairman of the Department of Cardiac Surgery and a cardiothoracic surgeon at the Heart and Vascular Hospital at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center and Mitral Foundation-referred mitral valve surgeon. “Having a valve repaired at a nationally recognized Reference Center is a smart decision, and assures patients that they are receiving the best care from an experienced team.”

More information about the American Heart Association and Mitral Foundation Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award is available at www.heart.org.

For more information or for an interview, contact Mary McGeever at 551-795-1675 or mary.mcgeever@hmhn.org.
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