At Johns Hopkins’ Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, cardiothoracic surgeons Hanghang Wang and Reed Quinn form a specialized team dedicated to delivering advanced, patient-centered treatment for complex cardiac conditions.

A recent study led by Wang reveals significant geographic variability in mitral valve repair versus replacement rates for primary mitral regurgitation. Given that repairs generally result in superior short- and long-term outcomes, these findings highlight the crucial role of surgeon expertise in improving patient care.

Surgeons at Suburban Hospital achieve repair rates exceeding 90% for degenerative mitral regurgitation, thereby minimizing complications, shortening recovery time and reducing the risk of reoperation.

When Quinn joined Suburban in 2023, he introduced sutureless aortic valve replacement to the Washington region — reducing implant time to roughly 20 minutes (versus 60 minutes for conventional valve replacement). This technique significantly reduces heart-lung bypass duration, accelerates recovery, and is especially beneficial for patients who require combined procedures, such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or mitral valve repair.

Why refer to Suburban Hospital?

• Johns Hopkins-level expertise in a community setting: Patients benefit from academic-caliber surgical care delivered in a personalized environment. “From arrival, patients are greeted individually and guided through every step,” says Wang.
• Comprehensive expertise: In addition to CABG and TAVR, Wang and Quinn routinely perform complex mitral valve repair, tricuspid valve repair/replacement, aortic aneurysm repair and atrial fibrillation surgery.
• Collaborative, multidisciplinary care: Weekly “heart team” meetings ensure thorough planning for every patient — especially for complex cases. The team also participates in Johns Hopkins’ systemwide conferences, drawing upon cross-specialty expertise in cardiology, imaging and critical care.
• Seamless access to advanced quaternary care: For rare, highly complex conditions, Wang and Quinn operate at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Throughout this process, patients retain the same dedicated surgical team, and benefit from access to additional specialized resources.