COLUMBIA, SC – On March 1, 2018, The Providence Structural Heart Clinic opened in Columbia, SC, to specialize in minimally invasive alternatives to open heart surgery. Minimally-invasive procedures involve entering the patient’s heart through an artery in the leg or arm instead of opening the chest to correct life-threatening or quality of life-reducing heart conditions. Because of the smaller entry point and reduced overall disruption to the body, these procedures have significantly shorter hospital stays and significantly faster and more comfortable recovery times.
Open heart surgery generally requires three to five days in the hospital, and full-recovery isn’t expected for several months. For many in need of treatment, the risk of an open heart procedure and its intense recovery are simply too great. In fact, a significant portion of the population is ineligible for open heart surgery due to existing chronic illness, advanced age,
or weakness.
“This quickly growing field of medicine offers a wide range of solutions for patients who previously had no options,” says Dr. Garrison Morgan. “No longer relegated to watchful waiting, these patients can now return to a meaningful life.”
Procedures provided by the Providence Structural Heart Clinic include:
Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic stenosis
MitraClip® Mitral Valve Repair for mitral regurgitation (a leaky mitral valve)
WATCHMAN™ Device to reduce stroke risk in Atrial Fibrillation patients unable to take
blood-thinners
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) / Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) Closures for holes in the
heart tissue
These procedures return the patient to their home the next day, with full to near-to-full recovery within a week, and they are covered by most insurance programs. All of these procedures were also first introduced to the Midlands by Providence Health. Patients in need of treatment are referred to the Clinic by their cardiologist or primary care physician. “Unfortunately, less than half of all patients that meet the criteria for structural heart intervention ever get an evaluation for treatment,” says Dr. Morgan. “Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about the structural integrity of your heart. You may be a candidate for feeling better with little risk and life disruption.” Once referred, the Clinic provides the patient with a team of interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons who work collaboratively with their referring doctor to diagnose and treat the condition. This personalized, coordinated care from a wide field of experts gives the patient access to a full slate of medical, surgical, and minimally-invasive treatments.
The Providence Structural Heart Clinic is located at: 1655 Bernardin Avenue, Suite 350, Columbia, SC 29204. Physicians looking to refer a patient to the clinic should call 803.673.0925 or fax orders to 803.256.5409.
For more information about the Providence Structural Heart Clinic, visit:
http://yourprovidencehealth.com/structural-heart-program
About Providence Health: A part of LifePoint Health, Providence Health is the leading provider of cardiovascular and orthopedic services in the Midlands. Providence is composed of two hospitals, sixteen physician practices, a network of rehabilitation centers, two sleep centers, an imaging and diagnostics lab, a school of cardiac diagnostics and an accredited chest pain center. In total, Providence employs more than 1,800 dedicated staff. Founded in 1938 by the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, Providence is known statewide for outstanding clinical quality and compassionate care. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services awarded Providence Health a 4-star rating, which is the highest rank issued to a Columbia health care entity. The Providence open heart surgery program has consistently ranked in the top 15 percent of open heart
programs in the nation. Both orthopedics and cardiac services have received the South Carolina BlueCross BlueShield Blue Distinction Center designation. For more information, visit YourProvidenceHealth.com.
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