Advancing Heart Care with Minimally Invasive Innovation

With the successful completion of its first procedure using the Medtronic Harmony™ Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve, Valley Children’s recently reached an important milestone in pediatric cardiology that may spare children and young adults from open-heart surgery.

Led by Pediatric Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Teresa Evans, the minimally invasive procedure lets physicians replace a faulty large pulmonary valve through a catheter inserted in the leg. For pediatric patients who require larger valve replacements later in life, this advancement represents a meaningful expansion of treatment options.

Patients who receive the Medtronic Harmony™ valve typically recover quickly, often returning home the next day. “It’s very nice to say, ‘Oh, you had a problem, we were able to fix it, and now you’re home,” Pediatric Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Teresa Evans said. “That’s really nice to be able to see that.”

The procedure reflects the expertise of the team at Valley Children’s Willson Heart Center, where board-certified pediatric heart specialists provide comprehensive cardiovascular care from before birth through young adulthood. Offering both routine and highly complex care, the Willson Heart Center delivers the highest level of pediatric cardiac services in Central California within a family-centered environment.

Dr. Evans, who holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience, transitioned into cardiology out of an interest in physiology and real-time problem solving. “Cardiology is fascinating from a physiology standpoint,” she said. “This is where we can actually see what’s going on with the heart and what we can do about it.”

For children born with congenital heart defects, the Medtronic Harmony™ valve represents a significant step forward. “Hopefully, this will keep some of those patients from needing open-heart surgery,” Evans said. “This is something that’s done with a big team of people, and we have that here. To be able to make a difference in all of those kids’ lives means a lot.”

As part of one of the nation’s largest pediatric healthcare networks, Valley Children’s delivers specialized heart care at its Madera campus and outpatient locations throughout the Central Valley, ensuring families can access lifesaving expertise in the communities they serve.