Structural Heart

For patients with aortic valve stenosis, the TAVR procedure (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) is another minimally invasive procedure we offer as an alternative to open heart surgery. Patients work with a team of specialists including a cardiologist, heart surgeons and a valve clinic coordinator. Legacy Medical Group–Cardiology is one of just a handful of Portland clinics which offer the TAVR procedure.

For those patients with mitral valve regurgitation or mitral valve prolapse, for whom traditional surgery is too risky due to age or other health issues, the MitraClip is an option. The MitraClip was first implanted in 2003.  In 2013, it was the FDA’s first approved alternative to mitral valve regurgitation surgery. The MitraClip is inserted through a catheter and guided through a vein in your leg. Once placed, the device works by allowing your mitral valve to close more completely and helps restore normal blood flow through to your heart. Your age, your heart health, and your overall condition will be factors in determining whether the MitraClip will work for you. The average hospital stay is two to three days.

Learn more about the MitraClip

A Patent Forman Ovale, or PFO, is a small opening between the two upper chambers of the heart. Normally, blood does not flow between these chambers. However, with a PFO, a small amount of blood can pass through the hole, creating an elevated risk for stroke.

For those with heart failure, tracking common symptoms is key to managing the disease. The CardioMEMs Heart Failure System is the first and only FDA-approved tool to help monitor symptoms, reduce hospital admissions and improve the quality of life for patients. One study found that hospitalizations were cut nearly in half in the six months after the monitoring device was implanted in heart failure patients.