Providence Valve Center
Providence Valve Center
The Providence Structural Heart Center (Valve Center) is a team of interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons with the aim of providing the latest, minimally invasive, catheter based techniques for the treatment of heart and heart valve disease. Conditions that we treat include aortic valve stenosis, mitral valve regurgitation, atrial septal defects, patent foramen ovale, and several others.
The critical part of the Structural Heart Center is our multidisciplinary team of surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, palliative care physicians, echocardiographers, research associates all aiming to develop an individualized treatment plan for each of our patients and their referring physicians.
We have the largest and longest-running structural heart program in the state of Oregon.
Cardiologists and surgeons at the Providence Valve Center provide leading heart valve treatment in Oregon, including:
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement
- Transcatheter mitral valve repair and replacement
- Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair
- Closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO)
- Balloon aortic valvuloplasty
- Echocardiography
- Intracardiac ultrasound
- Cardiac CT and MRI
- Mechanical circulatory support
- Clinical trials
Three severities classify valvular disease: mild, moderate, and severe. Overtime, if not managed or fixed, these diseases can lead to an increase of symptoms and, potentially, heart failure.
There are different ways to treat these conditions, which varies by patient and severity of the case. Open heart surgery is a common treatment to fix the valves in the heart for more severe cases. If it is possible our cardiac surgeons will try to fix the heart valves that you already have, although that isn’t always possible or the best treatment option. If the surgeon has to replace a valve in the heart, there are two options:
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Mechanical valvesThese valves are very durable and potentially last much longer than the tissue valves. People who get mechanical valves are required to be on blood-thinning medications for the rest of their lives to prevent blood from clotting on the new valve.
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Bioprosthetic valves (tissue valves)These valves come from animals (typically either cows or pigs) because the tissue in these animals is similar to the valves in human hearts. People tolerate these valves well and are not typically on blood thinning medications long term. Although this is a great option, these valves potentially have a much shorter life span and are best used in older adults or very specific circumstances in younger people.
The heart includes four valves: the tricuspid valve, the pulmonic valve, the mitral valve and the aortic valve.
The most common valves that need to be replaced or repaired due to disease are the mitral and aortic valves. Heart valve disease occurs when the heart valves do not open or close the way that they should.
Providence Structural Heart specialists treat a variety of valve conditions with a focus on minimally invasive, transcatheter approaches.
Aortic valve stenosis occurs when the aortic valve becomes diseased and narrowed. This restricts the amount of blood that the heart pumps to the body, which can cause symptoms and significant health risks. Options for treating aortic stenosis include aortic valve replacement with open heart surgery or with a catheter-based transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
The Providence Structural Heart Center has performed over 2,000 TAVR procedures, and is the largest and longest running program in the state. We have a number of clinical research trials so that we can offer the latest in technology to our patients.
The mitral valve can develop leakiness, called mitral regurgitation, which allows blood to be pumped backwards to the lungs with each heartbeat. This can cause symptoms, can cause long-term strain and damage to the heart, and can create significant health risks. Options for treating mitral valve regurgitation include open heart surgery, or catheter based mitral valve repair or replacement. Mitral valve repair with the MitraClip device is a minimally invasive procedure to treat certain types of mitral regurgitation. The mitral valve can also become narrowed, called mitral stenosis, which can be treated with other transcatheter approaches. For some patients, transcatheter mitral valve replacement may be the best approach.
At the Providence Structural Heart Center our multidisciplinary team focuses on developing the best, individualized care plan for each patient.
The tricuspid valve can develop leakiness, called tricuspid regurgitation, which allows blood to be pumped backwards to the body with each heartbeat. This can cause symptoms, can cause long-term strain and damage to the heart, and can create significant health risks. Options for treating tricuspid valve regurgitation include open heart surgery, or catheter based tricuspid valve repair.
Many structural heart conditions can be treated with catheter based techniques. For every patient, a team of cardiologists and surgeons will determine the best approach.
- A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a congenital abnormality that is an open flap between the upper chambers of the heart. In certain people with a history of strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or other conditions, the PFO can be sealed to reduce the risk of future strokes.
- Other abnormalities such as atrial septal defects (ASD), ventricular septal defects (VSD), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) are abnormal openings between different chambers of the heart that can put strain on the heart and cause health problems.
- Paravalvular leaks (PVL) are leaks around replacement heart valves that can cause strain on the heart or anemia.
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At Providence Valve Center, you'll have access to a vast network of dedicated and compassionate providers who offer personalized care by focusing on treatment, prevention and health education.
