Heart Valve Treatments
The FirstHealth Valve Clinic offers a multidisciplinary approach to treating patients with complex valve disorders. Our team of expert cardiovasular surgeons, cardiologists and other cardiac care specialists deliver the highest quality of care in our region.
At the heart of the Valve Clinic philosophy is the share care philosophy, which promotes building strong relationships between our patients’ own referring physicians and the Valve Clinic team. The Valve Clinic team works closely with referring physicians in the clinical decision-making and treatment plans to insure a smooth transition for patients as they go return to the care of their own physicians.
At FirstHealth Valve Clinic we have all a multidisciplinary team of specialists under one roof and breakthrough industry leading technology packaged together to provide complete diagnosis and treatment in days. Initial patient appointments are available at Reid Heart Center in Pinehurst. To request an appointment, please fill out a referral form here.
Our Team
Stephen Davies, M.D.
Education: M.D., East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine
Internship/Residency: University of Virginia
Fellowship: Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Virginia
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery
Peter Ellman, M.D., FACS
Education: M.D., University of Pennsylvania
Internship/ Residency: University of Virginia
Fellowship: Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Florida
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, American Board of Thoracic Surgery
William “Cliff” Kitchens, M.D., FACS
Education: M.D., Emory University, GA
Internship/Residency: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Fellowship: Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, American
Board of Thoracic Surgery
William L. Harris, M.D., FSCAI
Education: M.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Internship/Residency: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
Fellowship: Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology,East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine
Board Certification: ABIM-Cardoiology and ABIM-Interventional Cardiology
Sun Moon Kim, M.D., FACC
Education: M.D., St. George’s University School of Medicine
Internship/Residency: University of Kentucky
Fellowship: Cardiovascular Disease, University of Kentucky; Structural Heart Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Board Certification: ABIM-Cardiovascular Disease and ABIM-Interventional Cardiology
Conditions We Treat
The heart has four valves—mitral, aortic, pulmonary and tricuspid—that open and close to regulate blood flow into, out of and through the chambers of the heart. Problems with the valves can interrupt blood flow throughout the body. When the valves malfunction, they can cause:
- Regurgitation - the valve doesn't close properly causing blood to backflow
- Stenosis - when the valves thicken or fuse together and don't open properly
- Atresia - when the valve has no opening for blood to pass through
Symptoms
Many people with malformed heart valves go a lifetime with no problems, but if you are experiencing any of the symptoms below your symptoms might be the result of a damaged heart valve:
- Unusual fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling around the ankles, feet, or abdomen
Treatments
There are a number of possible treatments including:
- Lifestyle changes can ease a minor heart valve problem.
- Some medications can alleviate symptoms and allow for a delay in surgery
- Surgery is required for more serious valve problems.
- TAVR Procedure
- MitraClip® Procedure
To begin the process you or your doctor can send a referral to the FirstHealth Valve Clinic by phone, email or our online referral form .
Phone 1 (833) 20-VALVE
Email: valve@firsthealth.org
You will be contacted within one business day for follow-up on your referral.