VALLEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER ONLY HOSPITAL IN CAMERON COUNTY OFFERING PERCUTANEOUS ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT CLOSURE PROCEDURES

VALLEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER ONLY HOSPITAL IN CAMERON COUNTY OFFERING PERCUTANEOUS ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT CLOSURE PROCEDURES

Minimally invasive option helps more patients access specialized heart care close to home

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 – During American Heart Month in February, Valley Regional Medical Center is proud to announce it is offering percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure procedures, expanding access to specialized structural heart care for patients in the Rio Grande Valley.

“Valley Regional Medical Center is dedicated to bringing the most innovative treatments to our community,” said Joe Hernandez, chief executive officer. “Offering ASD closure procedures is a testament to our leadership in heart care and our mission to improve lives through excellence in medicine.”

An atrial septal defect is a hole in the wall that separates the heart’s two upper chambers. Some ASDs are small and may not cause symptoms, and in some cases may not be diagnosed until adulthood. Even smaller defects can increase left-to-right blood flow in the heart, which may contribute to symptoms over time.

With percutaneous ASD closure, cardiology specialists can repair the defect using a catheter-based approach. A cardiologist guides a thin tube through a blood vessel in the groin to reach the heart and place a device that closes the opening. This approach can help some patients avoid open-heart surgery and may support a shorter hospital stay and recovery.

“Offering percutaneous ASD closure procedures locally helps patients and families avoid traveling long distances for care, supports earlier diagnosis and treatment and keeps follow-up appointments closer to home,” said Dr. Guillermo Salinas, the interventional cardiologist performing ASD closure procedures at Valley Regional Medical Center.

To learn more about cardiovascular services at Valley Regional Medical Center, visit valleyregionalmedicalcenter.com.

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About Valley Regional Medical Center

Valley Regional Medical Center has proudly served the Rio Grande Valley community for 50 years. The full-service, 214-bed-acute-care facility offers services including cardiovascular care, 24/7 neuroendovascular care, general and minimally invasive surgery, orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation services. As an accredited Chest Pain Center and Primary Stroke Center, Valley Regional Medical Center is well-equipped to provide 24/7 emergency treatment to the Brownsville community and surrounding areas. In 2025, the hospital received a Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence and Surgical Care Excellence Awards. For more information, visit valleyregionalmedicalcenter.com.

About HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division

HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division is a comprehensive network of hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, emergency centers and diagnostic imaging facilities in greater Houston, Corpus Christi and South Texas. Facilities in the Gulf Coast Division include: 17 acute care and specialty hospitals, 13 ambulatory surgery centers, 24 3D breast imaging centers, 31 freestanding emergency centers, 28 CareNow® urgent care centers, three air ambulances, more than 100 physician practices and a regional transfer center that provides support for patient transfers into and out of HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division hospitals as well as access to ground and air transportation within a 150-mile radius. HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division is part of HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services with 182 hospitals and 2,300+ sites of care, including surgery centers, freestanding ERs, urgent care centers, home health, and physician clinics located in 20 states and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit HCAgulfcoast.com.