Valve Science Center
The Valve Science Center is an international leader in heart valve disease research, innovation, and education. We aim to give patients the most cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatment options for heart valve disease, and to advance valve care worldwide.
Saving lives through groundbreaking research
Valve disease care at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF) is driven by a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals. Led by Dr. Paul Sorajja, our team includes renowned cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, imaging specialists, cardiac nurses, and researchers.
We collaborate to develop cutting-edge treatments for diseased heart valves: aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid. The goal? To help valve disease patients enjoy healthier, longer lives.
- We do the most complex valve and multi-valve surgeries in the world
- MHIF has 20+ research studies in heart valve disease
- Patients come to MHIF from around the globe for groundbreaking valve treatment
MHIF conducts research in partnership with Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute® physicians and the cardiovascular care center at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. These partnerships ensure that more patients receive lifesaving heart valve treatments, some of which are only available through research and clinical trials.
Thank you to the Headrick Family for funding valve research
We’re grateful to the Headrick family for the $2 million charitable gift that established the Roger L. and Lynn C. Headrick Family Chair for Valve Science Research at MHIF, granted to Dr. Paul Sorajja. This funding helps advance valve disease research, scientific publications, and public education.
What is heart valve disease?
Heart valve disease occurs when heart valves aren’t working properly. They may be too stiff and narrow to open fully, which is called stenosis. Or the blood may leak through the heart valves, which is called regurgitation.
Faulty valves cause heart attacks, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure and other life-threatening conditions. More than 5 million Americans live with valve disease and many of them don’t know it. They may have no symptoms, or assume their lack of energy is a normal part of aging. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to helping valve disease patients lead healthier, fuller lives.
MHIF conducts research into all four valves of the heart:
Tricuspid
Mitral
Aortic
Pulmonary
World-class tricuspid valve research
The MHIF Valve Science Center is a leader in advancing options for patients, including being the top enroller for the TRILUMINATE pivotal trial. This led to FDA approval of TriClip technology – a novel, non-surgical tricuspid regurgitation treatment.
Patient success story
Leaky mitral valve
Darrell Kempfert had a leaky mitral valve, which left him out of breath and exhausted. Our team of valve specialists recommended a minimally invasive procedure to repair his leaky valve. After the transcatheter procedure, Darrell’s symptoms were gone and he felt ready to get back to golfing, playing pickleball, and enjoying life.
A History of Firsts
The MHIF Valve Science Center is at the forefront of minimally invasive heart valve treatments and technologies. We’re proud to lead the way.
- First-in-human therapy of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with MitraClip
- First transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) in the US (7th in the world)
- First-in-human therapy of severe mitral annular calcification with dedicated mitral prothesis
- First live demonstration of surgical explanation of TAVR prothesis
- First-in-human experience with MitraClip removal and transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR)
- First-in-human implant of TriClip tricuspid valve repair for severe tricuspid regurgitation
- First live demonstration of transcatheter tricuspid valve repair with TriClip system
- First-in-human implantation of tricuspid valve replacement technology
Resources for physicians and health care professionals
See the latest publications and research about valve disease, watch Grand Rounds, download our Valve-in-Valve apps, and more.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Sorajja leads a multi-disciplinary team of specialists who help bring lifesaving solutions to help patients treat heart valve disease. This team of experts with deep expertise across imaging, surgical and non-surgical approaches collaborate to offer the best options for patients through research and new technologies.
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