The Valve Center

The Valve Center brings together a team of experienced cardiac caregivers to offer the most comprehensive care in the region for patients with valvular heart disease.

What Is Heart Valve Disease?

Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the heart valves do not work properly because of calcification or leaking of the valves. These conditions cause the heart to pump harder to circulate blood to the body. Many times the heart produces an irregular noise, or murmur, as the blood is forced through the damaged valve. If left untreated, heart valve disease can reduce a person’s quality of life and become life-threatening. Symptoms typically occur when the valve is severely diseased and include shortness of breath with minimal activity, fatigue, chest pain, dizziness, and fainting.

In many cases, valves can be surgically repaired or replaced. Some patients may be a candidate for a less invasive procedure that requires a smaller incision, less time in the hospital and overall, shorter recovery time. We are also proud to offer the latest in valve replacement technology- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). Regardless of the repair, our goal is to restore normal function to the heart, which allows our patients to return to the activities they enjoy. Learn more about TAVR online at newheartvalve.com.

Valve Center Distinctives

Easy Referral Process

The Valve Center’s Coordinator, a nurse practitioner, is the point of contact for patients and referring physicians. This ensures efficiency in scheduling patients for the most appropriate evaluation with the Valve Team. Patients will be contacted once the referral is received to discuss diagnoses, testing and appointments.

Prompt Communication to Referring Physician

Valve Center physicians will dictate a letter to or call the referring physician within 48 hours of testing and evaluation to discuss recommendations.

Referring Physician Provides Ongoing Follow-Up

After a patient’s treatment is completed, the Valve Center staff will make a follow-up appointment to the patient’s referring physician for ongoing care.

Valve Center Services

Evaluation and Diagnostic Tests

Most testing and physician consultation can be coordinated in the same day. Once testing is complete, the physicians review the tests and meet with the patient and family to discuss treatment options.

Nationally accredited imaging labs with noninvasive testing including:

• Two- and three-dimensional echocardiography
• Cardiac MRI and CT
• Transesophageal echocardiograms
• Stress echocardiograms
• Nuclear imaging
• Carotid imaging
• Pulmonary Function Tests

Interventional Cardiology

• Prosthetic paravalvular repair
• Aortic and mitral balloon valvuloplasty
• ASD /PFO closure

Hybrid Procedures

• Procedures requiring collaboration of a cardiologist and a cardiovascular surgeon
• State-of-the-art hybrid operating room allows both catheter-based and surgical treatments

Surgical Procedures

• First and only in the area to offer Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement—a new therapy for patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis who have been determined by a cardiac surgeon to be inoperable for open aortic valve replacement due to other medical conditions
• Minimally invasive surgical options to reduce patient hospital stay and recovery time
• Full surgical and critical care support by on-site anesthesiologists and pulmonary/intensive care specialists
• Immediate availability of all subspecialty and ancillary services for patients with other medical conditions

Follow-Up and Family Support

• Comprehensive patient and family education and support beginning from the first visit through discharge
• Cardiac rehabilitation offered through Baptist Cardiac Rehab
• Ongoing follow-up with the Valve Team and the referring physician.

The Valve Center Team

Kate Totty, CVNP-BC
Valve Center Coordinator

Cardiovascular Surgeons

Douglas C. Appleby, Jr., MD, DHA
William J. Harris III, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgeons

Cardiologists

Ross Thourmond, DO
Interventional Cardiologist

Jeremy White, MD
Interventional Cardiologist

To Make a Referral

Call the Valve Center: 601-968-1966, press 5 and then option 2. Or, complete an online referral request.

The Valve Center at Baptist
501 Marshall Street, Suite 302
Jackson, Mississippi 39202
601-968-1966 | Fax 601-973-4541

Hours of Operation

8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Thursday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Friday

After hours calls will be directed to the appropriate specialists