Minimally invasive option helps more patients access specialized heart care close to home
Brownsville, Texas — During American Heart Month in February, Valley Regional Medical Center is proud to announce it is offering percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure procedures, expanding access to specialized structural heart care for patients in the Rio Grande Valley.
“Valley Regional Medical Center is dedicated to bringing the most innovative treatments to our community,” said Joe Hernandez, chief executive officer. “Offering ASD closure procedures is a testament to our leadership in heart care and our mission to improve lives through excellence in medicine.”
An atrial septal defect is a hole in the wall that separates the heart’s two upper chambers. Some ASDs are small and may not cause symptoms, and in some cases may not be diagnosed until adulthood. Even smaller defects can increase left-to-right blood flow in the heart, which may contribute to symptoms over time.
With percutaneous ASD closure, cardiology specialists can repair the defect using a catheter-based approach. A cardiologist guides a thin tube through a blood vessel in the groin to reach the heart and place a device that closes the opening. This approach can help some patients avoid open-heart surgery and may support a shorter hospital stay and recovery.
“Offering percutaneous ASD closure procedures locally helps patients and families avoid traveling long distances for care, supports earlier diagnosis and treatment and keeps follow-up appointments closer to home,” said Dr. Guillermo Salinas, the interventional cardiologist performing ASD closure procedures at Valley Regional Medical Center.
Learn more about cardiovascular services at Valley Regional Medical Center.