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Cardiovascular Diseases in Minnesota

Mayo Heart Valve Disease Clinic

"We have an 'innovative clinical practice.' It's what serves the patient from all that research, not what serves the research from the patient. That's how we see it; that's how it's oriented."

Maurice Sarano, M.D., Clinical Director

More than 5 million Americans have heart valve disease, a number expected to double in the next 25 years. The Heart Valve Disease Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester provides the focused expertise necessary for precise diagnosis and high rates of treatment success for patients with valvular disease.

Services Offered

The experienced cardiologists at the Heart Valve Disease Clinic conduct diagnostic tests, discuss the results with the patient, and formulate a treatment plan — over the course of just one day. During the process, patients are educated about their conditions and possible treatments. The combination of speed, accuracy and highly experienced staff sets Mayo apart from other major medical centers, providing both patient convenience and the highest quality of care.

After diagnosis, patients who require an intervention undergo surgery to repair or replace their diseased valves or a percutaneous intervention if it is appropriate. Mayo has a strong tradition of excellence in heart valve surgery — our surgeons have one of the highest rates of success in the world for mitral valve repairs, and one of the lowest operative mortality rates. They also specialize in multiple repairs or replacements during one surgery, as well as other challenging cases such as second or third valve surgeries.

Throughout the diagnosis and treatment process, our specialists commonly confer with other experts at Mayo to pinpoint a diagnosis or collaborate on a treatment plan. Mayo Clinic's philosophy is that teamwork results in better patient care, and our cardiologists do not hesitate to call on a colleague when their patient would benefit from another opinion.

Following treatment, a visit is scheduled with the clinic's nurse practitioner to check the patient's progress and ensure a good recovery and continuity of care. This vital step is uncommon at other centers. At Mayo, patients appreciate the difference.