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http://www.or-live.com/McLeodHealth/1782 Dr. Jamie Holland, a cardiothoracic surgeon with McLeod Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgical Associates performed a mitral valve replacement procedure for rheumatic mitral stenosis during the fifth surgical webcast at McLeod Health. Dr. Holland performed the mitral valve replacement procedure in the McLeod OR of Tomorrow. The webcast, moderated by Diane DeVaugh-Stokes a local TV personality, showcases this delicate procedure, along with highlights of the cardiac surgical collaboration between McLeod Health and Cleveland Clinic. Known for world-class heart care, the Ohio-based Cleveland Clinic has been rated #1 in heart care by U.S. News and World Report since 1995. "Through this collaboration, the cardiothoracic surgeons of McLeod and Cleveland Clinic share knowledge, skills and best practices to continue to provide optimal treatments and therapies to patients as well as to accelerate mutual advancements in cardiac surgery," said Rob Colones, McLeod Health President and CEO. "The affiliation between McLeod Heart and Vascular Institute and Cleveland Clinic Heart Surgery program allows us to share clinical policies, treatment protocols and research opportunities." "The purpose of this affiliation is patient focused," said Dr. Bruce W. Lytle, Chairman of Cleveland Clinic's Heart and Vascular Institute. "We have twelve cardiac surgeons on staff at Cleveland Clinic. The cardiac surgeons at McLeod are now part of that group and interact with our physicians in matters specific to patient care. "We chose McLeod for this affiliation because of their commitment to quality and continuous clinical improvements," added Dr. Lytle. The surgery will be archived for an entire year. Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement The mitral valve is the inflow valve for the left side of the heart. With a healthy mitral valve, blood flows from the lungs, where it picks up oxygen, and continues into the heart through the mitral valve. When the mitral valve opens, blood flows into the left ventricle, which is the heart's main pumping chamber. The valve then closes to prevent blood from leaking back into the lungs. Occasionally, the mitral valve is abnormal from birth, a congenital defect. More often, the mitral valve becomes abnormal with age. With aging the mitral valve no longer closes completely, allowing blood to flow back into the lungs. To compensate, the heart ventricle must pump more blood with each contraction to produce the same output of blood throughout the body. The heart can usually tolerate this extra volume of blood for a period of time, but it eventually begins to fail, producing symptoms of shortness of breath or fatigue. The patient, whose surgical procedure took place during the webcast filming, suffered rheumatic fever as a young child that damaged the mitral valve. The valve had progressively deteriorated over the years prohibiting repair. When possible, McLeod's focus is most often on repairing rather than replacing a patient's heart valve. For those patients whose valve is not suitable for repair, surgical replacement with a man-made valve is an option. Dr. Holland's experience in valve repair provides him a unique perspective on replacement by allowing him to incorporate valve repair techniques in the replacement procedure to preserve the heart's function. McLeod Heart and Vascular Institute and Cleveland Clinic Heart Surgery Through this outstanding and historic collaboration between the region's finest in heart care and the nation's best in cardiac services, McLeod further defines its commitment to providing the best in heart care possible. The McLeod Heart and Vascular Institute continues to lead the way in providing the most advanced and comprehensive cardiac services in the region. The McLeod Heart Center, established for more than two decades, provides a full spectrum of cardiac care programs designed to identify and treat cardiac disease and then help patients build and maintain a healthy heart. Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute is the recognized world leader in diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Cleveland Clinic has also been ranked among America's 10 Best Hospitals every year since 1990 by U.S. News and World Report.