Heart Valve Surgery at UPMC in Central Pa.

For the most advanced minimally invasive valve surgery options, look no further than UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute’s structural heart program (valve clinic).

We provide a full range of surgical treatments for heart valve disease, including:

Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery

• Valvuloplasty. Balloon valvuloplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to repair a narrowed heart valve. During the procedure, a special catheter (hollow tube) is threaded into a blood vessel in your groin and guided into your heart. The catheter, which contains a deflated balloon, is inserted into your narrowed heart valve. Once in place, the balloon is inflated to stretch the valve open, and then removed.
• MitraClip®. MitraClip is a device that is used to treat mitral regurgitation by clipping the mitral valve together. Your surgeon will insert the device through a blood vessel in your groin and guide it to your heart.
• TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement). TAVR is a procedure used to replace your aortic valve and treat aortic stenosis. UPMC in Central Pa. was the first hospital in the region to offer catheter-based replacement of aortic valves.
• Right chest minimally invasive mitral valve repair ("mini-mitral"). Our surgeons are pioneers in new, less-invasive approaches for mitral valve repair surgery. This procedure accesses your mitral valve through a three-inch incision on the right side of your chest without cutting your breastbone.
• Intercostal surgical valve replacement (iSVR). iSVR is a minimally invasive procedure that can be used to treat conditions of the aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valves. Your surgeon can access your valves through a one-and-a-half-inch incision in your chest without cutting your breastbone.
• Abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysm repair or replacement (AAA/TAA/EVAR/TEVAR). Our surgeons can treat aortic aneurysms using minimally invasive, catheter-based endovascular techniques or traditional open surgery.

Traditional Heart Valve Surgery

• Heart valve repair or replacement. Our surgeons perform traditional open-chest valve repair and replacement. Whenever possible, our skilled surgeons will recommend repairing your valve. However, if your valve is too damaged to be repaired, your doctor will recommend valve replacement.
• Single, double, or triple valve surgery with or without heart bypass grafts. UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute cardiac surgeons are experienced in complex surgeries involving multiple valve replacements and/or repairs.
• Aortic root surgery with or without aortic valve preservation (David procedure). During a valve-sparing aortic root replacement procedure (David procedure), your surgeon will remove the ascending aorta and coronary arteries just above the aortic valve, and a synthetic graft will be attached with small stitches. The coronary arteries also will be reattached to the synthetic graft. This eliminates the need to replace the valve with a mechanical valve. However, in certain situations your surgeon may replace your aortic valve during aortic root surgery.
• Hybrid arch debranching. Hybrid arch debranching treats aortic aneurysms without requiring the use of a heart-lung bypass machine.

What is heart valve surgery?

Heart valve surgery repairs or replaces a heart valve that is not working properly. Depending on your condition, your doctor may perform minimally invasive surgery or a traditional, open-chest procedure to treat your heart valve disorder.

What happens during heart valve surgery?

Depending on the type of procedure you are having, you may be placed under general anesthesia or connected to a heart-lung bypass machine that will take over the function of your heart and lungs during your operation.

If you need valve repair surgery, your doctor will provide you with more detail about the approach he or she plans to use before surgery. The specific approach your doctor recommends will depend on your condition and the heart valve that is affected.

During valve replacement surgery, your damaged valve will be cut out, and the new valve will be sewn into place. Your doctor may perform a minimally invasive procedure or an open-chest surgery, depending on your condition.

What can I expect after heart valve surgery?

When your heart valve procedure is completed, you will be moved to recovery for observation and monitoring. Your doctor will provide more information about your recovery.

How long does it take to recover after heart valve surgery?

Your doctor will provide more information about your recovery after heart valve surgery and will let you know when you can resume your normal activities. You should follow your doctor's instructions and go to all of your follow-up appointments.

Additional Resources

• Valve Clinic Physician Referral Form (PDF)
• Valve Clinic Dental Clearance Form (PDF)

Need more information?

Call the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at 1-855-275-6478

Request Information.

Our Providers

• A. Reza Abrishamchian, MD.
• Hemal Gada, MD.
• David B. Loran, MD.
• Nathaniel Melton, MD.
• Mubashir A. Mumtaz, MD.

Locations 

UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
Located at Brady Building
205 South Front Street
4th floor
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: 717-231-8555
Fax: 717-231-8568  

UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute (formerly Cardiac Consultants)
1697 Crown Avenue
Suite 100
Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: 717-299-5000
Fax: 717-431-1205

UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
12 Saint Paul Drive
Suite 205
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Adult Cardiology: 717-217-6881
Pediatric Cardiology: 717-761-0200
Fax: 717-217-6889

UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
Located at Outpatient Services at UPMC Memorial
1703 Innovation Drive
Suite 4120
York, PA 17408
Heart and Vascular: 717-849-5576
Fax: 717-718-9972