Heart valve disease occurs when there is a problem with the function of one or more of the heart’s four valves. If a valve doesn’t open or close correctly, blood is unable to move through the heart’s chambers the way it should.

During heart valve surgery, one or more valves are repaired or replaced. Preservation of the valve through repair has many benefits over replacement, including better heart function and no need for blood thinners such as Coumadin. At PinnacleHealth, we are committed to valve preservation (repair) for aortic valve, mitral valve, tricuspid valve and pulmonic valve. When replacement is required, our surgeons use tissue or mechanical valves after considering the patient’s needs and concerns.

When possible, our surgeons perform valve surgery using minimally invasive repair and replacement techniques, resulting in less pain, a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery time, along with less potential for infection and less bleeding. PinnacleHealth also utilizes blood conservation techniques for all patients undergoing valve repair or replacement procedures.

Our surgical team offers comprehensive care including:

• Right chest minimally invasive mitral valve repair
• Mini incision aortic valve surgery
• Single, double or triple valve surgery with or without heart bypass grafts
• Aortic root surgery with or without aortic valve preservation (David procedure)
• Aortic aneurysm repairs

At PinnacleHealth, we take a collaborative approach to patient care, emphasizing teamwork among physicians from different disciplines. Our surgeons work closely with interventional cardiologists to offer percutaneous (through the skin) heart valve therapies as well.