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WellStar Structural Heart
and Valve Program
Structural Heart
and Valve Clinic
Table of Contents
WellStar Structural Heart and Valve Program (SAVE).......................................................... 4
WellStar Cardiovascular Surgery........................................................................................... 5
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)................................................................. 7
TAVR Case Study.................................................................................................................... 9
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (TMVR).......................................................................... 10
TMVR-MitraClip® Case Study ............................................................................................. 12
WATCHMAN™ Left Atrial Appendage Closure System.................................................. 13
WATCHMAN™ Case Study................................................................................................ 15
Referring Patients to the SAVE Program............................................................................ 16
WellStar SAVE Team............................................................................................................. 17
Contact Information............................................................................................................. 19
Structural Heart
and Valve Clinic
Structural Heart and Valve Program
3
Structural Heart And ValvE (SAVE) Program
The WellStar Structural Heart and Valve Program is a collaborative, comprehensive initiative
focused on the evaluation and treatment of patients with advanced and complex structural
heart problems including valvular heart disease, intracardiac shunt defects and left atrial
appendage occlusion. Providing traditional valve surgery along with minimally invasive
interventional options, WellStar’s clinical results are among the national leaders in terms of
positive outcomes with fewer complications.
The core of the WellStar Structural Heart and Valve Program is a multidisciplinary team of valve
specialists that includes cardiac surgeons, electrophysiologists, interventional cardiologists, a
cardiac sonographer and a cardiac anesthesiologist. Offering one-stop collaboration between
multiple specialists, the WellStar Structural Heart and Valve team provides timely work-ups and
evaluations, close contact with the patient and families throughout their journey and ongoing
communication with referring physicians.
Our patient-centered approach is facilitated by a Nurse Coordinator who guides the patient and
family from the point of evaluation through treatment and recovery. The Nurse Coordinator serves
as a link to the care team and provides patient education, support and information related to
hospital services and community resources.
Structural Heart and Valve Team:
William Cooper, M.D., Cardiac Surgery
Matt Grabowski, M.D., Cardiac Anesthesiology
Sarita Kansal, M.D., Interventional Echocardiography
Narendra Kanuru, M.D., Cardiac Electrophysiology
Richard Myung, M.D., Cardiac Surgery
Amar Patel, M.D., Interventional Cardiology
Arthur Reitman, M.D., Interventional Cardiology
Allison Berard, PA-C
Hetal Patel, PA-C
Tiffany Amos, RN, BSN, Program Manager
Kevin Wall, RN, BSN, Outreach Coordinator
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WellStar Kennestone Hospital
Cardiovascular Surgery
at WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• The WellStar Cardiovascular Surgery team
includes Dr. William Cooper, Dr. Theresa Luu,
Dr. Harrell Lightfoot and Dr. Richard Myung.
The cardiovascular surgery team treats:
• Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS) rates
the coronary artery bypass program with
a “3 Star Quality Rating” out of 3 Stars
• Mitral valve disorders
- Only the top 10 percent of hospitals in the nation
are awarded this recognition by STS
• Atrial fibrillation
•
Recognized by BCBS for the Cardiac Distinction
Recognition Award for Cardiac Excellence and
by Aetna as an “Institute for Quality Cardiac
Medical Intervention Hospitals” due to high
achievement in cardiac surgery quality indicators
as defined by the National Quality Forum
• Awarded Joint Commission certification for CAB
and Valve Replacement and Repair programs
- WellStar Health System is the second in the nation
to achieve dual certification in CAB and valve repair/
replacement
•
The cardiovascular surgery team provides
world-class cardiovascular surgical care and
outcomes through state-of-the-art, high quality
service delivery
• Aortic valve disorders
• Aortic aneurysms
• Triscupid valve disorders
• Coronary artery disease
• Structural heart defects
OFFICE LOCATIONS:
WellStar Medical Group Cardiovascular Surgery
61 Whitcher Street | Suite 4100
Marietta, GA 30060 | 770-590-4180
New satellite offices:
WellStar Metro Atlanta Cardiovascular Medicine
999 Peachtree St. N.E. | Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30309 | 404-874-1788
WellStar Cardiovascular Medicine North Fulton
4500 Hospital Boulevard | Suite 230
Roswell, GA 30076 | 770-410-4520
Now also providing cardiac surgery services at WellStar Atlanta Medical Center.
wellstar.org
Structural Heart and Valve Program
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WELLSTAR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY PHYSICIANS
WILLIAM A. COOPER, M.D., MBA
Dr. William A. Cooper is a board
certified cardiothoracic surgeon. He
holds the position of medical director
of cardiovascular surgery with
WellStar Health System.
Dr. Cooper is a graduate of the
University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he earned
Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Doctor of Medicine degrees
in the combined six year BA/MD program. Dr. Cooper
received his post graduate training at Emory University,
where he chose his specialty —cardiothoracic surgery.
His commitment to advancements in the medical field has
led Dr. Cooper to become involved in many national and
international organizations. Through publication, research,
leadership and the national presentations he has given
among his peers, Dr. Cooper has become a respected
authority in the field of cardiovascular surgery.
Dr. Cooper retired as a Colonel from the United States
Army Reserve Medical Corps. He is a veteran of Operation
Iraqi Freedom where he served two tours of duty during
2004 and 2007.
Dr. Cooper’s special interests include valvular heart
disease, aortic aneurysms, and healthcare quality and
safety improvement.
THERESA LUU, M.D.
Dr. Theresa D. Luu is a cardiothoracic
surgeon, board certified in general
and thoracic surgery. She operates
at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in
Marietta, Georgia.
Dr. Luu is a graduate of the University
of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where she earned a
Bachelor of Arts in Biological Basis of Behavior. She
received a Medical Doctorate from Emory University School
of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Luu’s postgraduate
training includes a one-year stent as chief resident in
general surgery and a 4-year fellowship and residency in
cardiothoracic surgery at Emory University. Following the
completion of her training, she remained at Emory as an
assistant professor of surgery until her current position with
WellStar Health System.
Dr. Luu enjoys giving talks and lectures to the local
community to educate people on various topics related to
her specialties and areas of clinical interests which include
endoscopic atraumatic coronary artery bypass, atrial
fibrillation ablation, and minimally invasive thoracic surgery.
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HARRELL LIGHTFOOT, M.D.
Dr. Harrell Lightfoot is a cardiothoracic
surgeon. He operates at WellStar
Kennestone Hospital in Marietta,
Georgia
Dr. Lightfoot received his bachelor’s
degree from Johns Hopkins
University and his medical degree from the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He completed his
general surgery residency at Emory University, and
his cardiothoracic fellowship at the University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center in 2016.
Dr. Lightfoot’s clinical interest include coronary artery
bypass, endovascular and open aortic surgery, and
minimally invasive thoracic surgery. During his fellowship
at UT Southwestern, he gained significant experience in
robotic thoracic surgery including the management of lung
cancer, mediastinal masses, esophageal cancer and benign
esophageal disease. Dr. Lightfoot plans include utilizing
this expertise as a major part of his practice with WellStar
Medical Group, Cardiovascular Surgery.
RICHARD MYUNG, M.D.
Dr. Richard J. Myung is a cardiothoracic
surgeon, board certified in both
general and cardiothoracic surgery.
He is co-director of the structural heart
program for WellStar Health System
and operates at WellStar Kennestone
Hospital in Marietta, Georgia.
Dr. Myung earned a Bachelor of Science in Molecular,
Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of
California, Los Angeles. He received a Doctor of Medicine
at New York Medical College. Dr. Myung received his
postgraduate training in cardiothoracic surgery at Emory
University School of Medicine. Following his completion of
training, he remained at Emory as an assistant professor of
surgery until his current position at WellStar Health System.
Dr. Myung’s special interests include minimally invasive
valve repair and replacement, trans-catheter valve
replacement, minimally invasive coronary revascularization,
and aortic aneurysm repair.
For direct transfer from your hospital into
WellStar Kennestone Hospital or WellStar
Atlanta Medical Center, please call
1-855-WELL888 (935-5888).
WellStar Kennestone Hospital
WellStar Cardiac Network
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
With an ever-aging population, identification and
treatment of heart valve disease has become a primary
focus in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Aortic
valve stenosis is of particular concern given the dismal
prognosis of this condition as the valve worsens. The
normal aortic valve allows blood to freely exit the left
ventricle, the main pumping chamber of the heart. In
aortic stenosis, the valve does not fully open, due to
heavy calcium build-up, which decreases blood flow
from the heart. Without treatment, approximately 50%
of severe aortic stenosis patients will not survive more
than two years from the onset of symptoms. Historically,
Edwards SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve
treatment was via open-heart surgery. A significant
portion of patients however are not candidates for
traditional aortic valve replacement surgery due to
overwhelming co-morbidities such as age, history of
heart disease, frailty or other health issues.
Using the Edwards SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Heart
Valve, WellStar Kennestone Hospital offers a life saving
alternative in the form of Transcatheter Aortic Valve
Replacement (TAVR).
Edwards SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve closed
The Edwards SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve is
approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) as a therapy for patients with severe symptomatic
calcified native aortic valve stenosis who have been
determined to be intermediate, high or prohibitive
surgical risk to replace their diseased aortic heart valve.
Edwards SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve open
Structural Heart and Valve Program
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This procedure enables the placement of a balloonexpandable heart valve into the body via a catheter. The
valve is designed to replace a patient’s diseased native
WILLIAM COOPER, M.D.
CARDIAC SURGEON
aortic valve without traditional open-chest surgery and
while the heart continues to beat – avoiding the need to
stop the patient’s heart and connect them to a heartlung machine. The procedure can be performed with
minimal anesthesia and takes approximately one hour.
The average hospital stay is two days.
RICHARD MYUNG, M.D.
CARDIAC SURGEON
The valve is approved to be delivered through an artery
accessed through a small incision in the leg (transfemoral
procedure); or for those patients who do not have
appropriate access through their leg artery, the valve can
be delivered via an incision between the ribs and then
ARTHUR REITMAN, M.D.
INTERVENTIONAL
CARDIOLOGIST
through the apex of the heart (transapical procedure).
The WellStar TAVR team includes cardiac surgeons
Dr. William Cooper and Dr. Richard Myung,
interventional cardiologists Dr. Arthur Reitman and
AMAR PATEL, M.D.
INTERVENTIONAL
CARDIOLOGIST
Dr. Amar Patel, cardiac sonographer Dr. Sarita Kansal
and cardiac anesthesiologist Dr. Matt Grabowski.
Offering one-stop collaboration between multiple
specialists, the WellStar TAVR team provides timely
work-up and evaluations, close contact with the patient
and families, ongoing communication with referral
SARITA KANSAL, M.D.
CARDIAC SONOGRAPHER
sources and clinical outcomes comparable or exceeding
those of academic medical centers nationally.
For further information, call 770-590-4180.
MATT GRABOWSKI, M.D.
CARDIAC ANESTHESIOLOGIST
While open-chest surgery to replace the aortic valve is the gold standard treatment for severe symptomatic aortic
stenosis, there are some patients who are not eligible for surgery or considered at high risk for surgery. These
patients may be candidates for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), which allows Heart Teams to replace
a diseased aortic heart valve without open-chest surgery.
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WellStar Kennestone Hospital
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
Case Reported by Amar Patel, MD, Arthur Reitman, MD and Richard Myung, MD
WellStar Kennestone Hospital, Marietta, GA
Patient presentation/overview: Eighty-nine year old female with severe aortic
stenosis, presented to the hospital on multiple occasions with CHF exacerbations.
PMH includes CAD s/p PCI to LAD and RCA with DES 10/2014, PAF, breast CA s/p
L mastectomy with chemo/radiation, and malignant hyperthermia. Deemed highrisk for surgical AVR secondary to advanced age and frailty.
Procedural Overview: The patient underwent successful transfemoral TAVR via a percutaneous
approach with a #23 Edwards Sapien XT prosthesis.
Case Conclusion/Outcome: One-year echo shows normal functioning TAVR prosthesis with no
AS/AI. Patient has had no further hospitalizations for heart failure and reports “feeling great.”
Pre-TAVR Echo
Deployed TAVR
Post-TAVR Gradients
Post-TAVR Echo
Structural Heart and Valve Program
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WellStar Cardiac Network
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (TMVR) provides
an option for select patients with degenerative
Mitral Valve Regurgitation (MR).
Mitral Regurgitation is the most common type of
heart valve insufficiency in the United States. It results
from a lack of leaflet coaptation between the two
leaflets of the mitral valve. In a normally functioning
mitral valve, blood flows in a single direction between
the left atrium and left ventricle. MR is characterized
by systolic retrograde flow from the left ventricle
into the left atrium. Over time, MR may lead to heart
The MitraClip® procedure is a minimally invasive
catheter based therapy. It is performed using venous
access and real-time imaging thereby avoiding
cardiopulmonary bypass. A catheter is inserted
through the femoral vein to the affected area of the
heart. The MitraClip® is then delivered to the heart
through a catheter and attached to the leaflets of
the mitral valve. Once the clip is properly placed and
securely attached, it is deployed and the catheters
removed.
failure, atrial fibrillation or pulmonary hypertension.
The two most common types of MR are Functional
(where the left ventricle is enlarged and pulls the
mitral leaflets away from each other preventing
closing) and Degenerative (a problem with the valve
leaflets themselves that prevents proper closure).
Approximately 4 million people have significant
mitral valve insufficiency with an annual incidence
of 250,000 new patients. Approximately 50, 000
of these patients undergo surgery each year in the
United States. Reasons for denying surgery include
Clip Delivery System and Steerable Guide Catheter
impaired left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF),
multiple comorbidities, and advanced age, all of
which are determinants for high operative risk.
TMVR increases the options for patients with
significant, degenerative MR who are at prohibitive
risk for surgical intervention. Using the Abbott
Patients generally recover within the post-procedure
hospitalization and demonstrate improved functional
capacity and a reduction in hospital readmission for
heart failure.
MitraClip® System, WellStar Kennestone Hospital
began offering transcatheter mitral valve repair in
April 2015.
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WellStar Kennestone Hospital
According to the ACC/AHA guidelines for valvular heart
disease, patients should be considered for mitral valve
intervention even if medications have led to improvement
in symptoms. Efforts will be made at WellStar to
WILLIAM COOPER, M.D.
CARDIAC SURGEON
effectively identify and appropriately evaluate patients
with moderate to severe MR.
Patients considered for evaluation include:
Asymptomatic Severe MR with:
RICHARD MYUNG, M.D.
CARDIAC SURGEON
• Central jet MR ≥40% LA
• Vena Contracta ≥0.7 cm
• Regurgitant Volume ≥30 cc
• Regurgitant Fraction ≥ 50%
• ERO > 0.20cm2
• LVEF > 60% and LVESD < 40mm
• LVEF ≤ 60% and LVESD ≥ 40%
ARTHUR REITMAN, M.D.
INTERVENTIONAL
CARDIOLOGIST
• Pulmonary hypertension
Moderate MR with:
• Atrial fibrillation
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Symptoms
AMAR PATEL, M.D.
INTERVENTIONAL
CARDIOLOGIST
The WellStar TMVR team includes cardiac surgeons
Dr. William Cooper and Dr. Richard Myung, interventional
cardiologists Dr. Arthur Reitman and Dr. Amar Patel,
cardiac sonographer Dr. Sarita Kansal and cardiac
anesthesiologist Dr. Matt Grabowski. Offering one-stop
SARITA KANSAL, M.D.
CARDIAC SONOGRAPHER
collaboration between multiple specialists, the WellStar
TMVR team provides timely work-up and evaluations,
close contact with the patient and families and ongoing
communication with referral sources.
MATT GRABOWSKI, M.D.
CARDIAC ANESTHESIOLOGIST
For further information, call 770-590-4180.
MR is a debilitating disease that over time may lead to heart failure, atrial fibrillation or pulmonary hypertension.
Medical therapy can treat the symptoms of MR. To treat the disease itself, surgery is effective for eligible candidates,
but this is not an option for many patients. For significant, symptomatic, degenerative MR patients who are at
prohibitive risk for surgery, TMVR provides an option.
Structural Heart and Valve Program
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Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (MitraClip )
®
Case Reported by Amar Patel, MD, Arthur Reitman, MD and David Caras, MD
WellStar Kennestone Hospital, Marietta, GA
Patient presentation/overview: Eighty-six year old female presents to the
Structural Heart Clinic with complaints of worsening shortness of breath, dyspnea
on exertion and fatigue. Stress echo confirmed severe mitral regurgitation. Patient
with prior surgical aortic valve replacement. She was evaluated by cardiac surgery
and deemed extreme risk for traditional MVR secondary to redo sternotomy and
advanced age.
Procedural Overview: The patient underwent successful transcatheter mitral valve repair with the
use of two MitraClip® devices.
Case Conclusion/Outcome: - Reduction in mitral regurgitation from severe to trivial.
- Patient was discharged POD #1 to home with family and continues
to progress well and reports a resolution of her symptoms.
Pre-Op Echo
Pre-Op Echo
Clip #1 Deployed
Clip #2 Deployed
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WellStar Kennestone Hospital
WellStar Cardiac Network
WATCHMAN™: Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device
Patients living with non-valvular atrial
fibrillation (AF) now have access to a new
treatment option that significantly reduces
the risk of stroke. WellStar Kennestone
Hospital is the first non-academic hospital
to offer the treatment in Georgia. The
WATCHMAN™ Left Atrial Appendage
Closure Device is a first-of-its kind, proven
alternative to long-term Warfarin therapy for
stroke risk reduction in patients with nonvalvular AF.
The WATCHMAN™ device is intended for
percutaneous, transcatheter closure of the left
atrial appendage (LAA). Approximately 90%
of strokes in individuals with AF originate from
blood clots that have formed in the LAA. The
WATCHMAN™ device permanently closes off the
LAA thus preventing clot formation and migration
of emboli to the brain. The WATCHMAN™
device is a highly effective treatment option
as an alternative to long-term anticoagulation
for people who are at risk for stroke due to AF
and who are not good long-term candidates
for blood thinning. This may be due to certain
medical conditions, a history of bleeding while on
anticoagulation or a risk of bleeding from workrelated accidents or falls.
The WellStar WATCHMAN™ Team
NARENDRA KANURU, M.D.
CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIST
ARTHUR REITMAN, M.D.
INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGIST
AMAR PATEL, M.D.
INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGIST
Non-valvular AF is an irregular heartbeat that
can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and
other heart-related complications. AF is the most
common cardiac arrhythmia, currently affecting
more than five million Americans. Patients with
AF have a five-fold increased risk of stroke due
to blood stagnating from the improperly beating
atrium and the resulting blood clot formation.
Stroke is more severe for patients with AF, as
they have a 70% chance of death or permanent
disability.
Structural Heart and Valve Program
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The most common treatment for stroke risk
reduction in patients with AF is Warfarin
therapy. The WATCHMAN™ device offers
comparable AF stroke risk reduction to
Warfarin. Additionally, the WATCHMAN™
device has demonstrated statistically superior
reductions in hemorrhagic stroke, disabling
stroke and cardiovascular death compared to
Warfarin over long-term follow-up.
Despite its proven efficacy, long term
Warfarin therapy is not well tolerated by
some patients and carries a significant risk
for bleeding complications. Nearly half of
patients eligible for Warfarin are currently
untreated due to tolerance and adherence
issues. More than 90% of patients who receive
the WATCHMAN™ device are able to stop
Warfarin after 45 days.
The 1-1 ½ hour procedure is minimally
invasive and is performed by a multidisciplinary physician team including
interventional cardiologists, an
electrophysiologist, an interventional
echocardiographer and an anesthesiologist.
Because the left atrial appendage is shaped
and sized differently in different people,
ultrasound helps the team take measurements
and choose the appropriately sized device.
While the patient is under general anesthesia,
the WATCHMAN™ device is implanted
through a femoral vein access via a transseptal approach by using a catheter-based
delivery system. Following the procedure,
patients typically need to stay in the hospital
for 24 hours.
For further information regarding WATCHMAN™, contact the WellStar Structural Heart and Valve
Program at 770-590-4180.
14
WellStar Kennestone Hospital
Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (WATCHMANTM device)
Case Reported by Amar Patel, MD, Arthur Reitman, MD and Narendra Kanuru, MD
WellStar Kennestone Hospital, Marietta, GA
Patient presentation/overview: Eighty-seven year old female was referred
to the Structural Heart Clinic for consideration of LAA occlusion. Patient with
chronic atrial fibrillation since her mid-twenties complicated by multiple GI bleeds
requiring transfusions. She had been tried on warfarin, rivaroxaban, and aspirin in
the past for CVA prophylaxis.
Procedural Overview: The patient underwent successful successful left atrial appendage
occlusion with a 30mm WATCHMAN™ device.
Case Conclusion/Outcome: - P
atient was started on warfarin for 45 days post-procedure and
tolerated well.
-4
5-day follow-up echo shows excellent device placement with no
evidence of leak or flow into the appendage. Patient was able to
stop warfarin at that time.
Angiography of Appendage
WATCHMANTM placement
Post-Deployment Echo
Structural Heart and Valve Program
WATCHMANTM deployment
45 Day Follow-up Echo
15
Referring Patients to the WellStar SAVE Program
Whom Should I Refer?
• Patients with valvular heart disease that is moderate to severe in nature
• Patients with a PFO, ASD, PDA, or VSD
• Patients with atrial fibrillation who are not good candidates for anti-coagulation or are
considering alternatives to anti-coagulation
How Can You Contact SAVE?
Within WellStar Health System
Inpatient
• “Inpatient Consult to Structural Heart” in WellStar Connect under “Orders”
• Contact Allison Berard, PA-C at 770-241-8467 or Hetal Patel, PA-C at 517-902-1789
Outpatient
• “Ambulatory Referral to Structural Heart” in WellStar Connect under “Orders”
• Contact the Structural Heart Clinic: 770-590-4180
Outside WellStar Health System
You may call anyone on our team directly and we will be happy to handle your referral.
If you prefer, you can also fax patient information to our office at 770-590-4186.
Dr. Amar Patel, Interventional Cardiologist................................................... 678-206-9564
Dr. Arthur Reitman, Interventional Cardiologist........................................... 404-723-9019
Dr. William Cooper, Cardiothoracic Surgeon................................................ 678-467-2597
Dr. Narendra Kanuru, Cardiac Electrophysiologist....................................... 404-788-7698
Dr. Richard Myung, Cardiothoracic Surgeon................................................. 404-520-6523
Tiffany Amos, RN, BSN, Program Manager.................................................. 678-925-4309
Allison Berard, PA-C, Physician Assistant....................................................... 770-241-8467
Hetal Patel, PA-C, Physician Assistant............................................................ 517-902-1789
Kevin Wall, RN, BSN, Outreach Coordinator................................................ 678-736-1529
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WellStar Kennestone Hospital
WellStar’s Structural Heart and Valve Team
Dr. Cooper earned his medical degree at the University of Missouri in Kansas
City, Mo. He completed his general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery
residencies at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. He is a Lieutenant Colonel –
Medical Corps in the United States Army Reserve.
He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American
Board of Thoracic Surgery. He is a member of the Atlanta Medical Association,
Georgia State Medical Association, Association of Black Cardiologists, Southern
Thoracic Surgery Association, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Association of Black
Cardiothoracic Surgeons and Cobb County Medical Society. Dr. Cooper is in
practice with WellStar Medical Group, Cardiovascular Surgery.
Dr. Myung earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of California in Los
Angeles, Calif. and his medical degree from New York Medical College in
Valhalla, N.Y. He completed residencies at Georgetown University Medical Center
in Washington, DC, University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pa. and Emory
University Medical Center in Atlanta, Ga.
He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board
of Thoracic Surgery. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons and
American Medical Association. Dr. Myung is in practice with WellStar Medical
Group, Cardiovascular Surgery.
A native of New Orleans, Dr. Reitman is a board certified cardiologist who
graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Washington
University in St. Louis in 1991. He earned his medical degree from Louisiana State
University, New Orleans, in 1995. After completing his internal medicine internship
and residency at Tufts Affiliated Hospitals, he went on to a Cardiovascular Disease
fellowship at Brown University, Providence, R.I.
Dr. Reitman completed an Interventional Fellowship at The Mount Sinai School
of Medicine in New York City in 2002 and is board certified in Interventional
cardiology.
Special interests include complex coronary atherosclerotic disease, including
atherectomy devices, novel antiplatelet therapeutics, and nuclear cardiology. Dr.
Reitman is currently on staff at WellStar Cobb, Douglas, Kennestone and Paulding
hospitals. He currently serves as the medical director of the Catheterization Labs at
WellStar Kennestone and Cobb Hospitals.
Structural Heart and Valve Program
17
Dr. Patel received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia.
He completed his internship and residency at the University of Alabama at
Birmingham and went on to complete a fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease and
interventional cardiology at Emory University. Dr. Patel is a professional member of
the American College of Cardiology and the Society of Cardiac Angiography and
Intervention.
Dr. Patel is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and interventional cardiology.
He is a member of several medical and professional societies. He has advanced
training in cardiac and peripheral vascular imaging and extensive experience
in clinical research. Dr. Patel’s areas of interest include: percutaneous coronary
intervention, structural heart disease/congenital heart defects, and valvular hear
disease.
Dr. Patel joined Cardiovascular Medicine in August 2007. He is currently on staff at
WellStar Cobb, Douglas, Kennestone and Paulding hospitals. When not at work,
Dr. Patel loves to spend time with his wife and children. He also enjoys traveling
and reading.
Dr. Kansal is the Medical Director of Non-Invasive Imaging for WellStar Health
System and a board certified cardiologist with additional board certified training in
echocardiography and nuclear cardiology. She received her medical degree from
the University of Delhi and completed her internship and residency at Southern
Illinois University in 1997. She was on faculty as assistant professor until 2000.
She subsequently did her cardiology fellowship at Vanderbilt University and a
fellowship in echocardiography at Emory University.
Dr. Kansal is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology(ACC), the American
Heart Association(AHA), and the American Society of Echocardiography(ASE).
She joined Cardiovascular Medicine in September 2004. She is also ex-clinical
assistant professor of medicine at Emory University. She is medical director
of echocardiography of WellStar Cardiac Diagnostics and is currently on staff
at WellStar Cobb and Kennestone hospitals. Dr. Kansal’s areas of interest are
echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and women’s health.
A native of India, Dr. Kansal is married and has two children.
Dr. Kanuru attended both college and medical school at the University of Miami
and graduated from the six-year combined bachelor’s/medical degree program
in 1994. During that period, he spent one year at the University of Tuebingen in
Germany as a Foreign Studies Scholar. He completed his internship and residency
in internal medicine at Emory University. Following a cardiology fellowship at the
University of Tennessee, he returned to Atlanta and completed a two-year cardiac
electrophysiology fellowship at Emory University in 2002.
Dr. Kanuru is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and clinical cardiac
electrophysiology. He is a member of the North American Society of Pacing and
18
WellStar Kennestone Hospital
Electrophysiology (NASPE). He joined Cardiovascular Medicine in July 2002, and
is fully trained in all aspects of invasive electrophysiology, including biventricular
pacemakers/ICDs, complex arrhythmia management and ablation, transseptal
catheterization, and transvenous lead extraction. He is currently on staff at WellStar
Cobb, Douglas, Kennestone, and Paulding hospitals.
A native of Sheffield, Ala., Dr. Kanuru is married with two children and now resides
in Marietta. He is an automotive enthusiast, an avid reader and enjoys hiking and
running.
Dr. Grabowski earned his medical degree from the Georgetown University
School of Medicine. He completed an internship at the Georgetown Hospital, his
residency at the George Washington University Medical Center and his fellowship
in cardiothoracic anesthesia at Emory University School of Medicine.
Dr. Grabowski is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology.
Contact Information
For more information about the WellStar Structural Heart and Valve Program, contact:
Tiffany Amos
Structural Heart Program Manager
770-590-4180
[email protected]
Amar Patel, M.D.
Co-Medical Director
678-206-9564
[email protected]
Richard Myung, M.D.
Co-Medical Director
404-520-6523
[email protected]
Structural Heart and Valve Program
19
Structural Heart
and Valve Clinic
10/16
CRC0074