DR. MARK J. RUSSO, MD, MS
 Contact Us         
(732) 235-7231
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  • Aortic Valve
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  • Appointment
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    • Prior to Surgery
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Prior to Surgery

Before surgery, patients meet with our patient care coordinator to discuss all plans for your procedure. The coordinator will provide detailed instructions about when and where to arrive for preoperative testing and, if needed, catheterization. Patients will meet the surgical team and will receive a full packet of information about their upcoming hospital stay.

Preoperative cardiac catheterization (also called an angiogram) is done on all patients over 45 years old (and, if needed, on some younger patients) during the afternoon prior to surgery. Patients then remain in the hospital overnight. Catheterization is done in order to provide a minimally invasive way of assessing any blockages and pressure on the aortic valve during surgery.

Preoperative testing is performed within two weeks of surgery and includes bloodwork, urine testing, EKG, and chest X-rays.

Patients will also receive instructions about what medications they must stop taking 5-7 days prior to surgery (e.g. aspirin, Coumadin, and Plavix). They will be advised to avoid strenuous physical activity prior to surgery.

The coordinator will give you detailed instructions about what you may bring to the hospital, parking, and accommodations for family. All other questions you have will be addressed.

Stop smoking at least two weeks prior to your procedure. Patients who smoke get more infections. Ask your doctor if you need help.

Eat healthy foods and control your blood sugar; research has shown better results if blood sugar is controlled.

The night before surgery


Patients should not eat or drink past midnight the night before surgery.

Patients will need to use a special antibacterial soap (provided by our office) to take one shower the night before surgery and another shower again the morning of surgery.

Shaving with a razor can irritate your skin and make you more susceptible to infection. Do not shave near the surgical site for at least 24 hours prior to your surgical procedure.

Get a good night's sleep before your surgery.


Appointment - 732-235-7231
​Patients:   We are committed to providing you with an appointment within 7 days of your request. For your convenience, Telemedicine Consults are available.   If you have questions in the meantime, please   Ask Our Experts.
Patient   Appointments   -  732-235-7231

​ Physicians:   Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a weeks, to assist in the care of your patients and to facilitate urgent, emergent and elective transfers at the local, regional, national and international levels​
RWJUH Transfer Center   -   732-427-5725
About Dr. Russo
Telemedicine
Aortic Aneurysms
Minimally Invasive Surgery
TAVR
Mitraclip
Clinical Trials

2nd Opinion
Ask Dr. Russo
Getting a second opinion can provide peace of mind and confidence that you have been diagnosed appropriately and understand of all your treatment options. 
​Send your non-urgent questions regarding your aortic,  heart, and vascular conditions via email.

Mark J Russo, MD, MS
 Chief, Cardiac Surgery

Director, Structural Heart Disease
Associate Professor of Surgery
​
​Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Robert Wood Johnson
University  Hospital 
​125 Paterson St
​New Brunswick, NJ  ​08901

Office: 732-235-7231
Fax:   
732-235-8963​
Expert in Complex Aortic  Disease, Valve Surgery, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Repalcement (TAVR) , and Mitraclip
Picture
(c) Mark Russo 2020
Dr. Russo performs the full range of cardiac surgery including  Coronary Artery Surgery - Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts; Bypass Surgery;  CABG;  Coronary Artery Surgery; Reoperation; Off Pump Bypass Surgery; Off Pump Heart Surgery; Valve Surgery - Aortic Valve Repair; Aortic Valve Replacement; Mitral Valve Repair; Mitral Valve Replacement ; Reoperatve Heart Valve Surgery;;  Endovascular and Hybrid Aortic Surgery;  Transcatheter Valve Surgery - TAVR, TAVI, ViV, MVIV, valve-in-valve; Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery - Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair; Mitral Valve Replacement; Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery​; Aortic Surgery - Aorta Surgery; Aortic Dissection; Complex Aorta Surgery; Valve Sparing Roots, Heart Surgery for Marfan Syndrome; Aortic Root Aneurysms; Ascending Aortic Aneurysms; Aortic Arch Aneurysms; Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms; Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms; Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms; Aortic Dissections, including Type A Dissections and Type B Dissections; Native Aortic and Prosthetic Graft Infections, including Endocarditis; Congenital Aortic Disease, such as Marfan's syndrome and Loeys Dietz; Transplant Surgery - Heart and Lung.  He was trained by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Craig Smith and Eric Rose.  Read about Matt Millen undergoing Heart Transplant