A Better Way to Fix Mitral Valves

David H. Adams, MD, Professor and Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Program Director of the Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center, is committed to improving the long-term health of those suffering from degenerative heart valve disease.

Dr. Adams was mentored by the renowned French surgeon Alain Carpentier, MD, PhD, the "father of mitral valve repair." Dr. Adams is among the most sought-after mitral valve surgeons in the world. As much sculptor as surgeon, he carves valve tissue to near perfection.

Dr. Carpentier and Dr. Adams invented what are known as annuloplasty rings, support devices that reinforce patients' repaired valves. The newest and most exciting of these is the Carpentier-Edwards Physio II Annuloplasty Ring. The original Physio ring is the most widely used annuloplasty ring in the world, and the Physio II improves on it. Its saddle shape better mimics the shape of the natural valve.

"Our unique collaboration will continue to facilitate the repair of valves for generations to come," Dr. Adams says.

Mount Sinai Cardiac Surgeon Writes the Book on Mitral Valve Repair

Every year, thousands of people learn they need heart valve surgery. Thanks to the educational efforts of David H. Adams, MD, Professor and Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Program Director of the Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center, more surgeons across the country are turning to heart valve repair over heart valve replacement.

Dr. Adams routinely demonstrates his techniques to physicians around the world through talks, presentations and an extensive video library. His upcoming book, Carpentier's Valve Reconstruction, written with Dr. Carpentier and Mount Sinai Heart colleague Farzan Filsoufi, MD, Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, stands to become the standard text for surgeons wanting to hone the craft of valve reconstruction.

In 2009, Dr. Adams received the American Heart Association's "Heart of New York" award for Achievement in Cardiovascular Science and Medicine. "At Mount Sinai Heart, we have a near 100 percent success rate for heart valve repair," says Dr. Adams. "That's a remarkable achievement." Read more about Dr. Adams and the Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center.