Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center Nationally Recognized for Mitral Valve Repair Excellence

This 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. 

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 since valve repair is associated with improved survival and fewer long-term complications. Many patients who would benefit from repair receive replacement valves, with 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, MD, 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.” 

This is the first  year that Hackensack University Medical Center has achieved this recognition since the program launched in November of 2019. 

“Receiving this recognition is a testament to the skill and dedication of our entire cardiac surgery team,” said Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack University Medical Center and executive vice president of Population Health, Hackensack Meridian Health. “This is another example of our commitment to offer the latest innovations and technologies to the members of the communities we serve, as early in their development as possible.”

“The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Award is a highly selective award that sets our cardiac surgery team apart from other hospitals locally and across the country,” said Joseph E. Parrillo, MD, chair of the Heart and Vascular Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center. “Hackensack University Medical Center earned this 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 and we could not be more proud.”

“Mitral valve disease and its complications affect too many patients each year,” explained Mark Anderson, MD, interim chair 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 center of excellence before symptoms worsen is a smart decision for many patients and can increase life expectancy.”

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

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