New Melody Valve Procedure Can Help Avoid Open Heart Surgery
December 28, 2011
When a child’s heart valves don’t work properly it often means open heart surgery. But a new device is giving pediatric cardiologists another option. It’s called the Melody Valve, which is implanted using a minimally invasive technique that may one day be done on an outpatient basis. This new valve ensures blood flows properly from the right ventricle to a patient’s lungs and to the rest of the body. Get Healthy’s Jackie Hays has more on this incredible breakthrough.
Heart care for children has come a long way in the past few years. One of the newest procedures uses something called a Melody Valve. The procedure using this valve is minimally invasive, often helping the young patient avoid open heart surgery. Dr. Edward Kim is one of only two pediatric cardiologists in Kentucky performing this procedure.
Kosair Children’s Hospital’s Congenital Heart Center is the only center in the state of Kentucky with the capability to perform this implantation procedure.
Edward Kim, M.D., FAAP, FACC, and Ryan Leahy, M.D., who are assistant professors of pediatric cardiology at the University of Louisville, perform the Melody Valve procedure at Kosair Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Kim and Dr. Leahy say the Melody Valve also can be used in adults with congenital heart valve problems. If you would like more information or would like to speak with someone about the Melody Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve or if you have questions about any other cardiovascular condition, call (502) 629-KIDS or visit KosairChildrens.com.
