At Columbia, our surgeons work as part of our cross-specialty Structural Heart and Valve Center to ensure that your valve disease can be treated successfully, with the most modern procedures and by the most experienced heart valve teams in the country.
A Commitment to Patient-Centered Care
We know that having a cardiac operation is a major life event, and our team of surgeons, cardiologists, therapists, and coordinators will walk you through every step of your evaluation, treatment, and recovery. Our goal is to make you feel comfortable and confident right from the start and keep you informed and involved in every aspect of your care.
Minimally Invasive & Robotic Techniques
Whenever possible, we use the latest interventional, hybrid, and minimally invasive approaches to maximize safety, decrease discomfort, and shorten hospital stay and recovery time. Our interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons have worked together for decades to develop procedures that combine surgical and catheter-based techniques, resulting in safer, less invasive “hybrid” treatments and options like the percutaneous mitral valve repair.
The Most Advanced Robotic Mitral Valve Treatments
Our mitral valve surgery program offers the latest in robotic mitral valve repair and replacement using the da Vinci Xi robotic system, providing unmatched precision and confidence during surgery. Learn More About Our Mitral Valve Program Here at Columbia
At the Forefront of Valve Research
Our team is at the forefront of research into minimally invasive approaches to traditional heart surgeries. All the most recent innovations in valve surgeries – including minimally invasive and catheter-based approaches – are currently being performed at Columbia and show promise in improving results and minimizing recovery times.
Specialists in High-Risk Cases
At Columbia, our expertise and experience allows us to take on cases that may be too high risk or complex for other institutions. Our team includes leaders in cardiac imaging techniques, so that we can gather a high quality visualization of your valve and a thorough understanding of the extent of your condition to help us make informed decisions about the best treatment options for you.
If you have been told your case is inoperable, our team is here to provide a second opinion and offer you safe and effective options that others can not.
Other Care Areas: Cardiovascular Disease | Rate & Rhythm | Heart Failure | See All
Areas of Expertise
- Valve Disease
- Mitral Valve Disease (Mitral Stenosis, Mitral Regurgitation)
- Aortic Valve Disease (Aortic Stenosis, Aortic Regurgitation)
- Tricuspid Valve Disease (Tricuspid Stenosis, Tricuspid Regurgitation)
- Mitral Valve Repair and Mitral Valve Replacement
- Aortic Valve Repair and Replacement
- Tricuspid Valve Replacement
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
- Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement (TMVR)
Our Team
Emile Bacha, MD | (212) 305-2688
Dr. Bacha is Chief of the Division of Cardiac, Thoracic, & Vascular Surgery and the director of the NewYork-Presbyterian Congenital Heart Center. His surgical expertise encompasses the full-spectrum of congenital and pediatric heart disease, including complex neonatal cardiac repairs and heart transplantation.
Michael Argenziano, MD | (212) 305-5888
Dr. Argenziano is a cardiac surgeon with decades of experience as a leader in the field. Dr. Argenziano's surgical expertise includes valve repair, coronary bypass, and treatment of cardiac tumors and arrhythmias, as well as minimally invasive cardiac surgery.
Arnar Geirsson, MD | (212) 305-8312
Dr. Geirsson is the Director of the Cardiovascular Institute and Director of the Surgical Heart Valve Program at NYP/Columbia. His clinical practice focuses on minimally invasive cardiac surgery and valve surgery, specializing in robotic mitral valve repair and aortic valve repair.
Isaac George, MD | (212) 305-4134
Dr. George performs all types of open complex adult cardiac surgery, including valve surgery, aortic aneurysm surgery, and coronary bypass grafting. He is a specialist in all forms of transcatheter valve therapies and is the Surgical Director of the Structural Heart & Valve Center.
Luigi Pirelli, MD, FACC | (212) 305-4134
Luigi Pirelli, MD earned his medical degree from the University of Milan, Italy. He completed his cardiac surgery training at the University of Milan and New York University. Dr. Pirelli's expertise include transcatheter valve therapies and surgical valve repairs.
Craig R. Smith, MD | (212) 305-8312
Dr. Smith is Chair of Surgery at Columbia and a renowned heart surgeon. Dr. Smith's surgical expertise includes aortic and mitral valve operations, aortic procedures, and coronary artery bypass. Dr. Smith's research into transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has shaped international standards in heart care.
Appointments
Get started with our team by calling (212) 305-2633 or use our online request form.
We are located at:
Cardiac Surgery, Room 7-435
Milstein Hospital Building, 7th Floor
177 Fort Washington Avenue
New York, NY 10032
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For more on our Valve Center: Columbia Structural Heart & Valve Center
For mitral valve repair and replacement, please visit our Mitral Valve Surgery Program
*For children with valve disease, please visit our Pediatric Heart Valve Center*