New Haven, CT (Oct. 19, 2026) – Yale New Haven Hospital Heart and Vascular Center has been awarded a distinguished three-out-of-three star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), American College of Cardiology (ACC) and Transcatheter Valve Therapy Registry for its transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) program at Yale New Haven Hospital. As the only hospital in Connecticut – and only one of two facilities in New England - to receive this designation, Yale New Haven Hospital joins an elite group of hospitals nationwide recognized for excellence in patient care and outcomes.
The STS/ACC TVT Registry evaluates hospitals across the country using clinical data submitted over a three-year period. The STS/ACC TVT Star Rating is one of the most respected measures of quality in cardiovascular care, based on rigorous analysis of patient outcomes, procedural safety and long-term results. A three-star rating represents performance significantly above the national average.
The Heart and Vascular Center's consistent performance across all 30-day composite metrics earned this top-tier rating, reflecting exceptional quality and outcomes for patients undergoing TAVR procedures.
“This national recognition reflects the dedication, collaboration and expertise of our entire structural heart team,” said John Forrest, MD, director of the Structural Heart Disease Program at Yale New Haven Hospital Heart and Vascular Center and professor of (cardiovascular medicine) Medicine at Yale School of Medicine. “We are proud to provide advanced, minimally invasive therapies that help patients achieve excellent outcomes and return more quickly to the activities they enjoy.”
“TAVR has transformed the treatment of aortic stenosis, offering many patients a safe and effective alternative to open-heart surgery,” said Francine LoRusso, senior vice president heart and vascular services. “This recognition demonstrates our commitment to delivering the highest-quality cardiovascular care using the latest evidence-based approaches.”
TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure to replace the aortic valve in patients with aortic stenosis (a condition where the valve is narrowed and does not fully open). Because the procedure is performed without surgically opening the chest, patients recover quicker and are discharged sooner. When patients undergo TAVR, a team of interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons replaces the aortic valve by inserting a replacement valve on a catheter which enters the body through a small incision in the chest, groin or wrist. Once in position, the new valve is expanded pushing aside the leaflets of the old valve (the flaps that open and close) allowing blood to flow without obstruction.
This achievement reflects Yale New Haven Hospital Heart and Vascular Center's ongoing commitment to providing world-class cardiovascular care and ensuring patients throughout Connecticut and the region have access to the most advanced treatment options available.
In 2024, Yale New Haven Health’s (YNHHS) Heart and Vascular Center became the first health system in Connecticut to receive Transcatheter Valve Certification by the American College of Cardiology (ACC). Certification at Yale New Haven and Bridgeport hospital’s is affirmation of the expertise, quality and safety of care, and outstanding outcomes achieved in treating patients who need transcatheter valve replacement.
Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH), part of Yale New Haven Health, is a nationally recognized, 1,541-bed, not-for-profit hospital serving as the primary teaching hospital for the Yale School of Medicine (YSM). Founded as the fourth voluntary hospital in the U.S. in 1826, today, YNHH has two New Haven-based campuses, and also includes Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital and Smilow Cancer Hospital. YNHH has received three Magnet designations from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor of nursing excellence. YNHH has a combined medical staff of more than 5,400 university and community physicians practicing in more than 100 specialties. www.ynhh.org
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