IHVI
Nearly 50 years of cardiac surgery innovation and excellence
In 1977, Inova established a dedicated program for patients who required surgical intervention for cardiovascular disease. Over the past five decades, we have remained committed to serving our community by providing the full spectrum of contemporary cardiovascular surgical care and developing well-equipped, talented surgical and critical care teams to ensure excellent outcomes. As a result, Inova…
Read MoreThe Ironman of Inova: patient makes full recovery after 44 days on ECMO
Multidisciplinary care and teamwork at its finest Steve Shelton, 35, of Martinsburg, WV, made Inova history when he broke the record for Inova’s longest-ever time on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO). Steve was on VA ECMO for 44 days – 10 times longer than the average duration, providing a chance for his heart and…
Read MoreInova providers volunteer at community events to address healthcare disparities in Fairfax County
Inova Schar Heart and Vascular addresses healthcare disparities in Fairfax County by educating underserved populations about important health information in line with the county’s community health improvement plan. Inova team members, including nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, cardiac rehabilitation specialists and administrative staff, volunteer their weekends to provide free healthcare services and screenings at community…
Read MoreWhat we do matters – a story of the generational impact of caring for patients
Cleveland Francis, MD, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisor at Inova Schar Heart and Vascular. Growing up in small-town West Virginia, Jessica Flanagan heard stories about a wonderful doctor. During the late 1970s, an Alexandria cardiologist had treated her late mother, Susan Flanagan, before she passed away from a congenital heart condition. Jessica was only 3…
Read MoreDr. Garima Sharma receives supplemental AHA grant to study social determinants of the risk of high blood pressure in women of reproductive age
Garima Sharma, MD, Director of Inova’s Cardio-Obstetrics and Cardiovascular Women’s Health program, was recently awarded a supplemental grant from the American Heart Association (AHA) to continue work on the project, The Social Determinants of the Risk of Hypertension in Women of Reproductive Age (SAFE HEART). Dr. Sharma is a co-principal investigator of the study along…
Read MoreCoordinated care from the Inova Amyloid Program helps patient return to solid ground
Leesburg resident Stanley Mills, 81, has never shied away from adventure. Born and raised in West Virginia, Stanley served in the United States Army as a paratrooper and parachute rigger after high school. When his military service was complete, he went to college, earned a business degree and spent his career in the federal government…
Read MoreInova partners with transplant patients to improve patient care experience
In 2020, the transplant team at Inova established a Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) to enhance healthcare delivery for transplant patients and improve their overall experience. The PFAC serves as a platform for patients and caregivers to share valuable feedback and insights with the transplant team on better meeting patient needs during the various…
Read MoreInova Schar Heart and Vascular receives $1.4 million pediatric heart transplant research grant
Fairfax, VA — A research team at Inova Schar Heart and Vascular recently received nearly $1.4 million to develop a new blood test that doctors can use to optimize the immunosuppression medications needed after pediatric heart transplant. The team will be led by Palak Shah, MD, MS, Director of the Inova Cardiovascular Genomics Center and…
Read More7 ways to lower blood pressure naturally
Jason Bonomo, MD, PhD, is a cardiologist at Inova Schar Heart and Vascular. Dr. Bonomo is board-certified in cardiovascular disease, echocardiography and internal medicine and has a PhD in molecular medicine and translational science. He practices at the Inova Cardiology – Fairfax and Ballston offices and cares for patients at Inova Fairfax and Inova Fair…
Read MoreInova Schar Heart and Vascular: a premier destination for the highest quality cardiovascular care
Christopher M. O’Connor, MD, MACC, is the President of Inova Schar Heart and Vascular. He is an internationally renowned authority on heart failure and practices at the Inova Cardiology – Fairfax office. Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the nation and in Virginia. The toll is particularly high in those over…
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