Morristown Medical Center tops 5,000 transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures – first in New Jersey and a top U.S. program

MORRISTOWN, NJ (Morris County) – Morristown Medical Center’s Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute’s structural heart program reached a significant milestone of performing over 5,000 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures, the first in New Jersey and among the first to accomplish this in the United States.

Morristown Medical Center has the largest TAVR program in New Jersey and is among the top programs in the nation. Every year, approximately 300,000 cardiac patients in the United States are diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, with only 28% receiving a TAVR, leaving the majority untreated. There are more than 838 TAVR programs in hospitals across the U.S., however less than 1% perform more than 500 cases per year. A TAVR is a catheter-based procedure that replaces a diseased aortic valve with a man-made valve without opening the chest.

In 2011, Morristown Medical Center was the first in New Jersey to offer TAVR for severe aortic stenosis. Last year, Morristown Medical Center’s team performed 721 TAVRs and is projected to top that number this year. U.S. News and World Report consistently recognizes Morristown Medical Center as high performing in transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Philippe Genereux, MD, an interventional cardiologist, and a medical director of the nationally recognized Structural Heart Program at the Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute at Morristown Medical Center said, “To me, this number represents 5,000 people who were able to go back to enjoying life and being with their loved ones. This milestone is a testimony to our entire, multi-disciplinary team who work tirelessly to improve thousands of lives,” said Dr. Genereux. “Our record of successful outcomes, combined with our reputation for exceptional care, brings more patients to our hospital every year. We are incredibly proud to offer patients this option that, 20 years ago, would not have been possible.”

For the fourth year in a row, Dr. Genereux was named one of the world’s most highly cited researchers by Clarivate™ Web of Science™ Group. Only one in 1,000 scientists receive this distinction and Dr. Genereux’s papers consistently rank in the top 1% of citations for clinical medicine.

Morristown Medical Center was also among the first to receive the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Transcatheter Valve Certification, with only 10% of hospitals performing TAVR having achieved this elite recognition of best practices and quality care. The team has consistently held that distinction and its comprehensive structural heart multi-disciplinary team offers the latest in transcatheter valve technologies, is committed to clinical care, research, education, and publication.

Home to the largest cardiac surgery program in New Jersey and ranked one of the 50 best hospitals in the nation for heart & vascular surgery by US News & World Report, Morristown Medical Center’s Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute serves as the hub of Atlantic Health System Heart Care.