Heart valve repair & replacement

Our heart valve program

Your heart has four valves that open and close with every heartbeat to keep blood flowing in the right direction. When one or more valves become damaged or diseased, your heart has to work harder, which can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

At Roper St. Francis Healthcare, we provide comprehensive care for mitral and aortic valve disease using the latest surgical and minimally invasive treatment options. Our program is among a select few in South Carolina with the expertise to perform minimally invasive heart valve repair surgery, and we offer advanced catheter-based procedures, including TAVR and MitraClip®, for eligible patients.

Because we specialize in the full range of heart valve treatments, we can recommend the approach that's right for you. Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive techniques to help reduce pain and shorten recovery. When traditional open-heart surgery is the best option, you can trust our experienced team to provide exceptional care.

Recognized excellence

Our team includes some of the nation’s top experts in mitral valve disease, aortic valve disease and other structural heart conditions. Roper Hospital ranks in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for the number of mitral valve repairs we perform each year. Many of our physicians are also involved in advanced research, clinical trials and the development of new treatment techniques.

We perform more complex valve procedures, including mitral valve repair, than almost any other center in our region. Our success rates for those procedures are among the best in the nation. That means we have the experience and expertise to provide the best possible outcomes for you or your loved one.

Conditions, treatments and our approach

Learn more about the conditions we treat and how we treat them.

The Roper St. Francis team performs more complex valve procedures than almost all other centers in the region. Our expertise allows us to treat even the most challenging cases with precision and confidence, giving you or your loved one the best possible chance for a strong recovery.

Whenever possible, we repair heart valves rather than replace them. Many patients can be treated with catheter-based procedures that support faster recovery, though minimally invasive or open surgery may be the best option in some cases.

Our team includes some of the nation’s top experts in mitral valve disease, aortic valve disease and other structural heart conditions. We treat the full spectrum of heart valve conditions, including:

Aortic valve regurgitation
Aortic valve stenosis
Congenital valve abnormalities
Infective endocarditis
Mitral valve regurgitation
Mitral valve stenosis

Aside from medications, heart valve treatments we provide include:

Aortic valve repair and replacement: Surgeons often use open-heart surgery to fix or replace the aortic valve. If the valve needs to be replaced, we may use a mechanical device or a valve made from human or animal tissue.
Minimally invasive heart valve surgery: Whenever possible, we recommend minimally invasive procedures that often lead to less pain and a faster recovery.
MitraClip™:The MitraClip is a small device used to treat mitral valve regurgitation, a condition where the mitral valve doesn’t close tightly. Doctors place the device to help the valve close better and reduce blood leaking backward.
Mitral valve repair and replacement: We may improve blood flow through the mitral valve with a surgical or a catheter-based procedure. We perform replacement procedures with similar methods and use either a mechanical valve, or one made from human or animal tissue.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): A treatment for aortic valve stenosis, TAVR is often an option for people who aren’t good candidates for open-heart surgery. During TAVR, we place anew valve made from human or animal tissue.

We provide one-on-one support for each patient to help you understand your diagnosis and treatment plan and answer all of your questions. We also help coordinate your appointments to make them convenient for your schedule. Our streamlined process ensures that patients who need a heart valve procedure can receive it within two weeks of their evaluation.

Your heart valve team

Our team includes nationally recognized specialists in the treatment of valve disease. From your procedure through recovery, you’ll be supported by a full team — including anesthesia specialists, nurse navigators and rehabilitation experts — working closely together to create a care plan focused on your safety, comfort and long-term health.

Accepting New Patients
J. Matthew Toole, MD

Cardiac Surgery

5 of 5 stars
Accepting New Patients
John Spratt, MD

Cardiac Surgery
Accepting New Patients
Awad El-Ashry, MD

Cardiac Surgery
Accepting New Patients
Joseph Sweeney, MD

Cardiac Surgery

Heart valve surgery locations

Expert heart valve care should be easily accessible. With locations across the greater Charleston region, you can receive advanced treatment close to home, with a team that’s connected every step of the way.

Related services & specialties

Cardiology services

Advanced heart treatment, fast heart attack response and personalized recovery plans.
Cardiac surgery

Heart surgical care from diagnostics, to procedures to rehabilitation and recovery.
Heart rhythm services

Advanced care for heart rhythm disorders with diagnostics and therapies.
Heart failure program

Advanced heart failure treatment with medication, devices and ongoing support.
Minimally invasive heart surgery

Focused on minimizing incisions, less pain and faster recovery.

Take the next step toward a healthier heart

You deserve exceptional care. Connect with our heart experts today to schedule an evaluation or learn more about heart valve repair or replacement options.

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