Causes
Aortic stenosis is a narrowed aortic valve. Whether your valve narrows over time or it never formed properly, our team provides the care you need. We have the tools and expertise to determine when changes are modest and do not require treatment, and when you should take steps to protect your heart.
When needed, we recommend valve replacement. We provide expert heart surgery, as well as a newer, minimally invasive procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Through ongoing research, our doctors are investigating ways to improve TAVR and make it available to a wider range of people.
We provide aortic valve care through the Interventional Cardiology Clinic and the TAVR Program.
WHAT WE OFFER YOU FOR AORTIC STENOSIS
- Nationally recognized expertise in treating aortic stenosis, with a history of surgical innovation and experience with newer, minimally invasive approaches.
- Precise and timely diagnosis, with a streamlined and thorough evaluation process that includes advanced 3-D imaging of your valve.
- Team-based planning to create a tailored approach for your needs, including weekly meetings involving a full range of specialists.
- Advanced treatments, including the latest valve implants and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
- Comprehensive support, including diet and exercise recommendations to treat or prevent some of the risk factors for valve disease.
- Active research program, including an evaluation of TAVR for people whose surgical risk is low.
INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE SECOND OPINION?
The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!
Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.
To make an appointment, please call 650-725-2621.
What is Aortic Stenosis?
Treatment for Aortic Stenosis
Our team approach brings together the expertise of Stanford surgeons and interventional cardiologists to determine the best care plan for you. Instead of sharing files electronically, our doctors and imaging specialists take the time to meet face-to-face to discuss your results and make sure they pinpoint the problem.
We offer a range of treatments for aortic stenosis, including minimally invasive procedures or surgery when the condition interferes with your daily life or may harm your heart. We consider the least invasive option first and try to schedule any needed treatment within a few weeks.
Your diagnosis, symptoms, preferences, and overall health help guide our recommendations, which may include one or a combination of the following:
At Stanford Health Care, you always meet with a surgeon and an interventional cardiologist to determine the best approach
Minimally invasive procedures
We offer several minimally invasive procedures for stenosis, including our latest option, TAVR, which provides a direct and growing alternative to surgery. During our minimally invasive procedures, doctors carefully access an artery in the leg before threading thin tubes, called catheters, toward your aortic valve:
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): We are among the nation’s leaders in TAVR, having replaced approximately 1,000 aortic valves. TAVR is a treatment option for those at high risk for surgery, as well as for those who have moderate surgical risk. Our surgeons and interventional cardiologists partner on this newer approach.
- Balloon valvuloplasty: By temporarily inflating a balloon in the aortic valve, doctors can relieve stenosis, at least for a while. The procedure does not replace your valve and usually does not provide a permanent fix for adults. We may recommend valvuloplasty, if you cannot undergo a valve replacement right away, or if TAVR and surgery are not good options for you.
Observation and medication
For minor valve changes and mild symptoms, you may need occasional checkups. While medications do not fix valves, we may prescribe them to:
- Keep your heart rate regular
- Avoid infection
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduce fluid
Surgery
Surgery remains an effective option for many people, with the ability to relieve symptoms and restore quality of life. Learn more about:
Clinical Trials
Since the first clinical trial of TAVR, we have studied ways to offer TAVR to more people with aortic stenosis. Our newest clinical trial will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the procedure for those with a low surgical risk.
Open trials refer to studies currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
To learn more about the clinical trials we offer, contact Maria Perlas at 650-725-5597. For TAVR trials, please contact Leigh Trautman at 650-725-3931.
Frequently Asked Questions
We participate in a wide range of insurance plans. View the list of insurance plans accepted by Stanford Health Care »
Have insurance or pre-authorization questions? The Patient Financial Clearance team is available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., to answer your questions. Please call 650-724-4445 or 1-877-291-7335 (toll free).
When choosing a doctor, it is important to consider the doctor’s clinical training, experience, and expertise in a specialized area that matches your health care needs.
You can find the right Stanford doctor for you by using our doctor directory and filtering the results based on a medical category, specialty, or doctor’s last name. View a list of Interventional Cardiology doctors »
We offer a number of support services at the Heart and Vascular Center, including a Lifestyle Modification program, support groups, integrative medicine, nutrition services, a health library, and a variety of classes and events. Learn more about our support services »
You can call the Interventional Cardiology clinic directly to schedule an appointment with a Stanford Health Care doctor. Call 650-725-2621 to make an appointment.
We constantly search for better ways to protect your heart and blood vessels. The following are some examples of our ongoing clinical innovation.
- Using the radial artery: Programs like ours traditionally reach the heart through an artery in the groin. We were among the first to use the wrist’s radial artery, for greater comfort, less bleeding, and quicker recovery. Many people undergoing angioplasty can safely go home the same day.
- Improving stent treatment: We helped develop and quickly adopted specialized cardiac catheterization testing to measure the pressure and flow of blood and see inside clogged arteries to precisely place stents. We offer the first stent that dissolves after opening your artery, with no metal used or left in your body.
- Combining angioplasty with bypass: Before, blocked arteries often required open-heart surgery when angioplasty was not possible. Our hybrid coronary revascularization provides a new alternative, stenting some arteries and bypassing others. We do not open your chest or stop your heart.
- Advancing valve treatment: We were the first hospital in Northern California to perform transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We also have extensive experience with transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR). We provide options for people who cannot undergo surgery, with the potential to expand these treatments.
- Lowering stroke risk: We were the first center in Northern California to offer the WATCHMAN™ device once it gained FDA approval. We use it for left atrial appendage closure, reducing stroke risk for atrial fibrillation. We plan to study other stroke-reducing devices as they become available.
Yes, Stanford Health Care offers financial assistance for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Meet with one of our financial counselors to find the best approach to paying for your health care. Financial counselors are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Learn more about financial assistance services »
We strive to see new patients within one to two weeks.
Each of our doctors is scheduled to see patients only one day a week in the clinic. Other time obligations include performing procedures, routine patient management, and research and academic commitments.
Managing treatment for heart disease is a highly personalized process. Our care team guides you every step of the way. If your medical records have not yet been received by our office, one of our staff will advise you on how to obtain them, including:
- A complete list of medications and allergies
- Laboratory work within the last year
- Echocardiogram and/or stress test (report and CD)
- Open heart surgery report
Managing treatment for heart disease is a highly personalized process. Our care team guides you every step of the way. If your medical records have not yet been received by our office, one of our staff will advise you on obtaining them, including:
- A complete list of medications and allergies
- Laboratory work within the last year
- Echocardigram and/or stress test (report and CD)
- Open heart surgery report
Palo Alto Location
The Interventional Cardiology Clinic is located at the following address. Self-parking options are available for a fee. For more information, please see:
Heart and Vascular Center - Heart Clinic 1
300 Pasteur Drive
3rd Floor, Room A31
Stanford, CA 94305
Phone: 650-725-2621
Please plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment time due to construction near the main hospital campus. This will allow you plenty of time to park, locate your clinic, and complete any additional paperwork.
Please print, fill out, and return the Medical Record Release Form to your new patient coordinator. The medical release form is an authorization form for external facilities to release medical records to Stanford Health Care.
Please call our clinic receptionists at 650-725-2621. They are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to help you with rescheduling or canceling your appointment.
Always feel free to bring someone with you to your appointments. A family member or friend can help ask questions, remember the information your care team gives you, and provide support.
By California state law, you must let your care team know that you would like to record your conversation if you would like help remembering your discussion with your care team.
Write down your questions before your appointment and rank them in order of importance, beginning with the most important ones. If there is not enough time to have all of your questions answered during your appointment, ask your doctor who you can speak with to get your remaining questions answered.
You have multiple options when it comes to paying your bill.
- Pay Online:
- You can log in to MyHealth or the MyHealth mobile app to see and pay your bill.
Already have an account but need help logging in?
Contact the MyHealth Help Desk
- You can also pay as a guest to pay your bill without logging in.
- Pay by mail:
- Stanford Health Care
P.O. Box 740715, Los Angeles, CA 90074-0715
Los Angeles, CA 90074-0715
- Stanford Health Care
- Pay by Phone:
- You can call our Patient Billing Customer Service Office
1-800-549-3720.
- You can call our Patient Billing Customer Service Office
For our latest business hours and for more information about billing, visit our Billing page.
We offer a number of support services at the Heart and Vascular Center, including a Lifestyle Modification program, support groups, integrative medicine, nutrition services, a health library, and a variety of classes and events. Learn more about our support services »
Please call our clinic receptionists at 650-725-2621. They are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to help you reschedule or cancel your appointment.
To determine if a clinical trial is right for you, talk to your doctor. He or she can refer you to a research coordinator for more information on studies that may be right for your specific condition.
You can also find the guidelines for who can participate in a particular clinical trial online. However, it is best to work with your doctor to decide the right care approach for your needs.
View list of open interventional cardiology clinical trials at Stanford
Many of our programs are available to international patients.
Our International Medicine Services team can help you find the right doctor, estimate medical costs, book travel, and get you information about Stanford programs and services. Please call +1 650-723-8561 or email IMS@stanfordhealthcare.org to get started.
Our Clinics
3rd Floor, Clinic A31
Stanford, CA 94305
Phone: 650-725-2621 Getting Here
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