Structural heart disease refers to conditions that affect the valves, walls and muscles of the heart. These conditions, which can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (develop over time), may affect the direction or timing of your blood’s movement, preventing your heart from pumping blood effectively. Types of structural heart conditions include heart valve disease (damage to one of the four heart valves — mitral, aortic, tricuspid or pulmonary); cardiomyopathy; and congenital heart disease.
Some of the most common structural heart conditions we treat include:
- Aortic valve disease, including aortic stenosis
- Atrial septal defect (ASD)
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Mitral valve disease, including mitral regurgitation
- Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO)
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
Structural heart disease diagnosis and treatment
When you come to Aurora Denver Cardiology Associates for care, our team creates an accurate diagnosis through a careful physical assessment, detailed health history, appropriate imaging and other relevant testing. Once we have determined the cause of your symptoms and severity of your condition, we partner with you to create a treatment plan, always considering nonsurgical options first, if possible. Our nonsurgical treatments include antibiotic treatments or long-term antibiotic therapy, blood thinners or other clot prevention medications.
Our team partners with you and your loved ones to create a treatment plan for your structural heart condition that prioritizes nonsurgical and minimally invasive treatments whenever possible.
Advanced structural heart treatments
Sometimes, surgery is needed to correct your structural heart condition. Our team of doctors and support staff are experts in providing the latest treatments to help you get back to feeling better and living the life you want.
Some of the procedures we offer include:
- Atrial fibrillation implant – to reduce the risk of stroke for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
- Atrial septal defect (ASD) closure – may be performed via open heart surgery or cardiac catheterization depending on size
- Left atrial appendage occlusion (Lariat procedure) – seals off the small sac in muscle wall of left atrium to prevent stroke
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure – implantation of device to straddle the hole and remain in the heart
- Surgical aortic valve replacement- open heart surgery to replace valve to treat aortic stenosis
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement – catheter-based approach to aortic valve replacement
- Transcatheter mitral valve replacement – catheter-based approach to place implant to repair mitral valve
Our team is experienced in treating many structural heart conditions using minimally invasive techniques. These advanced surgeries are completed through several small incisions, instead of one large incision, thereby reducing the impact of surgery on your body. This often leads to less blood loss, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, faster recoveries and minimal scarring. These techniques are only appropriate for certain patients so it’s important to talk to your doctor about your specific needs to find out if this type of surgery is right for your condition and health needs.
At Aurora Denver Cardiology Associates, our team of cardiac experts believes your lasting heart health is important. With more than two dozen providers and six convenient locations, it’s easy to get connected with an expert and on the path to living your best life! Call now: (303) 750-0822.