Newswise — The Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center this week opened a multidisciplinary valve clinic that provides one-stop-shopping for patients with complex diseases of the cardiac valves. (www.debakeyheartcenter.com/valveclinic)
The clinic, which streamlines the process for patients, is headed by national experts in diagnostic cardiac imaging, interventional cardiology, robotic procedures and cardiac surgery to provide the best care possible. The clinic will also host a valve board and maintain a robust clinical database of complex valve disorders to support research and advances in the treatment of cardiac valve disease.
A patient can call into one phone line, where a dedicated coordinator will make sure all questions are answered and all the right specialists are together at the patient's appointment. The coordinator will do all the behind-the-scenes orchestrating to ensure smooth, efficient patient care.
Diagnosis and treatment of valve disease"Imaging of the heart is one thing that sets Methodist apart," said Dr. Stephen Little, cardiologist and director of the new clinic. "It is unusual to find centers like Methodist that can provide patients with advanced imaging technology that is dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease."
Methodist uses advanced technology to improve safety and shorten recovery of patients being treated for valve disease. The Methodist cardiac imaging services include 3D Doppler echocardiography, 3D transesophageal echo (TEE), computed tomography (CT), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear studies, stress imaging, carotid ultrasound and a 10-suite cardiac catheterization laboratory, one of the largest cath labs in Texas.
Methodist also provides access to magnet-guided and robot-guided catheter procedures as well as a robotic surgical approach to mitral valve repair. Methodist has one of the largest series of surgical valve repairs in the world.
Research on valve diseaseMDHVC is conducting research on ways to improve diagnostics as well as treatment of valve disease. Researchers are comparing echo and MRI to best quantify valve disease and are using 3D TEE to assess artificial valve function in patients. Methodist investigators are also collaborating with leading universities on valve research. Researchers from Methodist and Rice University are studying the mechanisms of valve calcification, or hardening, to better prevent and treat hardened valves. Methodist and University of Houston researchers are studying the effects of stress on the mitral valve to help refine and improve surgical repair procedures.
For more information on the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center's new valve clinic, see www.debakeyheartcenter.com/valveclinic. For more information about the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, see www.debakeyheartcenter.com. To schedule an appointment, please call 713-DEBAKEY (713-332-2539).
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