Structural Heart

Structural Heart Care 

The highly trained surgeons and specialists at Carondelet Medical Group diagnose and treat structural heart disease. We understand the nuances involved and are sensitive to your preferences as we determine the best course of treatment. Fortunately, advances in detection and treatment options are available that can improve the outcome of structural heart disease. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.

What is Structural Heart Disease? 

Structural heart disease is a condition that causes problems with the tissue, valves, wallas or muscles of the heart. This form of heart disease is typically congenital – meaning you are born with it – or it develops as a result of aging, injury or other infection. Early detection may improve the condition of a structural heart disease patient and prevent further complications. 

There are many different types of structural heart disease. Examples of these conditions are: 

  • Ventricular Septal Defects – A hole in the wall that separates the two lower chambers of the heart 
  • Atrial Septal Defects – A hole in the wall that separates the two upper chambers of the heart 
  • Patent foramen ovale (PFO) – A hole in the wall between the left and right atria that does not close and may or may not develop into a problem 
  • Cardiomyopathy – When the heart muscle becomes stiff and enlarged 
  • Mitral Valve Regurgitation – A backflow of blood occurs when this valve is unable to close properly 
  • Mitral Valve Stenosis – When this valve stiffens or fuses together, preventing the effective flow of blood 
  • Aortic Stenosis – When the valve between the heart and the aorta does not open properly 
  • Coarctation of the Aorta – Narrowing in the aorta, which is the largest artery in the body 

Symptoms of Structural Heart Disease 

Many congenital structural heart conditions can be detected before or at birth and can be treated after the baby is born. However, structural heart disease can be more challenging to detect in some adults because there may be no symptoms in the early stages. As this condition progresses, a person may experience any or a combination of these structural heart disease symptoms: 

  • Chest pain or tightness 
  • Edema 
  • Fatigue  
  • High blood pressure  
  • Irregular heartbeats 
  • Kidney dysfunction 
  • Lightheadedness or fainting  
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Schedule a doctor’s visit if you experience these symptoms for evaluation. 

Structural Heart Disease Diagnosis 

Tell your doctor if you have a family history of structural heart disease so your doctor may proceed with diagnostic tests to confirm your heart condition or refer you to other specialists for further evaluation. A structural heart cardiologist may use the following diagnostic tests to detect structural heart defects in adults: 

  • Catheterization 
  • Chest X-ray 
  • Echocardiogram 
  • Electrocardiogram 
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 
  • Structural heart disease may fall under any of these types: 
  • Heart valve disease – affects the cardiac valves 
  • Cardiomyopathy – affects the heart muscle, making it stiff and enlarged 
  • Congenital heart disease – structural heart conditions present at birth 

Types of Structural Heart Procedures 

Some structural heart conditions may not require treatment but must be monitored. Depending on a patient's structural heart problems, minimally invasive procedures or open-heart surgery may be recommended. Medications and lifestyle changes may be enough for some patients with mild conditions. 

However, medications alone cannot fix a damaged heart valve. Surgery is often recommended to replace or repair the diseased valve. If left untreated, it may worsen heart function and limit treatment options. 

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement 

If you have been diagnosed with a structural heart disease affecting the heart valves, the team at Carondelet Health may recommend Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). It is a minimally invasive procedure recommended as an alternative if you are at risk of open-heart surgery. 

Patients with severe aortic stenosis may benefit from the TAVR procedure, also known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). It is a less invasive valve replacement procedure where a thin tube called a catheter is inserted through an artery leading to the damaged valve.   

The patient will receive anesthetics to put them in a sleep-like state during the TAVR procedure. They will be connected to a heart-lung bypass machine to keep their blood continuously circulating. The surgeon will make one or more incisions in the chest where surgical instruments will be inserted to reach the heart. 

A new valve will be placed inside the old valve. Some valve implants can expand independently, while others require a balloon. The expanded artificial valve will take over the function of regulating blood flow. 

Before you qualify for TAVR, your heartcare team will review your medical condition, assess the severity of your valve’s defect, determine treatment options and inform you and your family of the benefits and risks of these treatments. 

Mitral Valve Replacement 

The heart’s mitral valve helps blood flow through the heart and out to the rest of the body. However, mitral valve problems can put extra stress on the heart. Medications may be able to manage mild mitral valve conditions. 

For severe cases, replacement surgery may be needed. This procedure can be done as open-heart surgery, but there are minimally invasive options available. The doctor will discuss the most appropriate options with the patient. 

Watchman Procedure 

The Watchman is an umbrella-shaped device placed inside the heart’s left atrial appendage (LAA) to close it off. Some people with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) are at a much higher risk of developing a stroke due to clots forming in the LAA. If these clots escape LAA, they can travel to another part of the body, clog blood vessels and limit blood supply to the brain, resulting in a stroke.  

The Watchman device can be implanted through a one-time, minimally invasive surgery. It is a permanent way to reduce stroke risk without using blood thinners.  

MitraClip 

MitraClip is a procedure that aims to fix leaky mitral valve (mitral regurgitation) and restore normal blood flow through the heart. A small clip will be implanted to the mitral valve using a catheter or thin tube. 

Valvuloplasty 

Valvuloplasty is a procedure to repair a narrowed heart valve (stenosis) to improve blood flow. The procedure is also known as: 

  • Balloon valvuloplasty 
  • Balloon valvotomy 
  • Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty 

Preparation for a Structural Heart Valve Procedure 

Your heart valve surgical team will discuss the procedure with you and answer your questions. Talk to your family about the help you need before, during and after your procedure. Ask your doctor about the following if you are referred for a heart valve procedure: 

  • Whether you can continue taking your current medication (if any) 
  • When to stop drinking or eating the night before your procedure  
  • Any possible allergic reactions 

During the surgery, remove jewelry, dentures, eyeglasses, nail polish and contact lenses. Your doctor may instruct you to shave the area where incisions will be made. 

How to Reduce the Risk of Developing Structural Cardiac Disease? 

Taking small steps to improve your lifestyle can go a long way toward reducing your risk for structural heart disease: 

  • Quit smoking  
  • Consume a heart-healthy diet 
  • Keep your blood pressure in check 
  • Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week

Cardiovascular Services

Continue