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Heart Valve Disease Treatment Center - Idaho Falls, ID

Idaho Falls Cardiologist Doctors for Heart Valve Disease Treatment

Type of Physician: Cardiologist

What is a Cardiologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners are expert in diseases of the heart, lungs and blood vessels. They consult with surgeons on heart surgery, perform diagnostic procedures, and manage complex conditions such as heart attacks and arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat).

Specialty: Cardiology

Common Name: Heart Doctor

Cardiologist Doctors in Idaho Falls *

Eastern Idaho Medical Consultants
Tiffany C Coughenour
3200 Channing Way
STE 205
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 535-4300

Eastern Idaho Medical Consultants
Douglas N Whatmore
3200 Channing Way
STE 205
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 535-4300

Pocatello Cardiology
Douglas K Boehm
777 Hospital Way
STE 101
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208) 234-2001

Pocatello Cardiology
Benjamin F Call
777 Hospital Way
STE 101
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208) 234-2001

Pocatello Cardiology
David M Gonzalez
777 Hospital Way
STE 101
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208) 234-2001

Portneuf Valley Medical Clinic
Ronald W Louks
777 Hospital Way
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208) 239-2260

Idaho Falls, Idaho

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Heart Valve Disease Surgery

Introduction to Heart Valve Surgery

Diseased heart valves can be treated both surgically (traditional heart valve surgery) and non-surgically (balloon valvuloplasty).

What Happens During Traditional Heart Valve Surgery?

During traditional heart valve surgery, a surgeon will make an incision down the center of your sternum (breastbone) to get direct access to your heart. The surgeon then repairs or replaces your abnormal heart valve or valves.

What Happens During Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery?

Minimally invasive heart valve surgery is a type of surgery performed through smaller incisions. This type of surgery reduces blood loss, trauma, and length of hospital stay.

Your surgeon will review your diagnostic tests prior to your surgery to determine if you are a candidate for minimally invasive valve surgery.

Often, the surgeon and cardiologist (heart doctor) will use transesophogeal echo (an ultrasound transducer probe that is passed down the throat) to help determine the functioning of the valve before and after surgery.

What Is Heart Valve Repair Surgery?

The mitral valve is the most commonly repaired heart valve, but the aortic, pulmonic, and tricuspid valves may also undergo some of these repair techniques.

If your valve can be repaired, your surgeon will perform any of the following types of valve repair procedures.

  • Commissurotomy. Fused valve leaflets, or flaps, are separated to widen the valve opening.
  • Decalcification. Calcium deposits are removed to allow the leaflets to be more flexible and close properly.
  • Reshape leaflets. If one of the leaflets is floppy, a segment may be cut out and the leaflet sewn back together, allowing the valve to close more tightly. This procedure is called quadrangular resection.
  • Chordal transfer. If ...

Recommended Reading Related to Heart Valve Disease Surgery

Angioplasty and Stents »

What is balloon angioplasty?

Balloon angioplasty of the coronary artery, or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), was introduced in the late 1970's. PTCA is a non-surgical procedure that relieves narrowing and obstruction of the arteries to the muscle of the heart (coronary arteries). This allows more blood and oxygen to be delivered to the heart muscle. PTCA, is now referred to as percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI, as this term includes the use of balloons, stents, and atherectomy devices. Percutaneous coronary intervention is accomplished with a small balloon catheter inserted into an artery in the groin or arm, and advanced to the narrowing in the coronary artery. The balloon is then inflated to enlarge the narrowing in the artery. When successful, percutaneous coronary intervention can relieve chest pain of angina, improve the prognosis of individuals with unstable angina, and minimize or stop a heart attack without having the patien...

Emergency Contact for Idaho Falls

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Idaho Falls Hospitals *

Idaho Falls Recovery Center
1957 E 17th St
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208)529-5285

Mountain View Hospital
2325 Coronado St
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208)557-2700

Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center
3100 Channing Way
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208)529-6111

Bingham Memorial Hospital
98 Poplar St
Blackfoot, ID 83221
(208)785-4100

State Hospital South
700 E Alice St
Blackfoot, ID 83221
(208)785-1200

Madison Memorial Hospital
450 E Main St
Rexburg, ID 83440
(208)356-3691

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