RiverBend first Oregon hospital to receive certification for advanced heart procedures

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend is the first hospital in Oregon to receive designation as a Certified Transcatheter Valve Center from the American College of Cardiology (ACC).

This certification ensures the facility meets the highest standards as determined by the ACC for these advanced heart procedures:

• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for patients with aortic stenosis
•  Mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair procedures (known as Mitraclip) for patients with mitral regurgitation

“This recognition is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional cardiovascular care in our community and region,” said cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Paul Koh, co-medical director of the Structural Heart Program for OHVI at RiverBend. “We are proud of our team’s dedication, hard work and expertise, and we will continue to enhance our services to provide the highest quality of care to our patients.”

The TAVR program at RiverBend has grown substantially since the first TAVR was performed at the hospital on Sept. 12, 2012. Since then, more than 1,200 TAVRs have been performed and the Structural Heart program has grown to include other procedures such as Mitraclip and Watchman for patients with atrial fibrillation.

TAVR and Mitraclip procedures are unique, less invasive alternatives to open heart repair or replacement for patients. Patients complete a thorough, thoughtful preparation for these procedures and are involved in their care each step of the way.

"We are incredibly grateful to be able to offer these therapies to our community,” said Dr. Sudeshna Banerjee, an interventional cardiologist and co-medical director of the Structural Heart Program for OHVI at RiverBend. “The entire heart team, including our physicians, nurses, and support staff, is committed to providing the best care for our patients. This common goal is what makes our program successful. We appreciate this acknowledgement and look forward to continuing to provide excellent, innovative and comprehensive care to our patients.”

More information about PeaceHealth’s heart and vascular services is available at www.peacehealth.org/heart.

About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 1,200 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.