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 within three days of the referral 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 is done in one day; patients are scheduled for tests in the morning, and in the afternoon, the physicians review the tests and meet with the patient and family to discuss treatment options minimizing the need for multiple appointments.

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: Click here for more information
• 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

Lynne C. Currie, CFNP
Valve Center Coordinator

Cardiovascular Surgeons

William J. Harris III, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgeon

W. Stewart Horsley, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Cardiologists

W. Hampton Jones, III, MD
Cardiologist

Shawn W. Sanders, MD
Cardiologist

James L. Warnock, Jr., MD
Cardiologist

H. Chris Waterer, III, MD
Cardiologist

To Make a Referral

Call the Valve Center: 601-969-7047. Or, complete an online referral request.

The Valve Center at Baptist
501 Marshall Street, Suite 302
Jackson, Mississippi 39202
601-969-6404 | Fax 601-948-1417

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