Structural Heart Program
The Structural Heart Program at Jupiter Medical Center offers clinical
expertise and the most advanced technology and innovative treatments for
patients with heart disorders.
Our structural heart team is made up of a multidisciplinary group of physicians
and nurses who work closely together to develop a comprehensive treatment
strategy. The team consists of experts in interventional cardiology, cardiac
surgery, electrophysiology, and advanced cardiac imaging. We use specialized
noninvasive testing to determine if a patient requires an intervention
to repair or replace their heart valve. While traditional open heart surgery
can’t always be avoided, we try to use minimally invasive, catheter-based
interventions whenever possible.
What is Structural Heart Disease
Structural heart disease refers to defects in the valves, or walls of the
heart chambers. The term also encompasses conditions that one is born
with, acquired by injury, infection or developed over time by aging.
Conditions treated by the Structural Heart Program
- Aortic valve stenosis
- Aortic insufficiency
- Mitral valve regurgitation
- Tricuspid valve regurgitation
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Holes in the heart, including atrial septal defect (ASD) and patient foramen
ovale (PFO)
Additionally, arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation may have structural
heart implications because they can lead to blood clots forming with the
left atrial appendage of the heart.
Innovative Treatments
Our multidisciplinary team offers innovative alternatives for patients
suffering from life threatening or life altering cardiac issues including:
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): this minimally invasive
procedure treats patients diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis. During
the procedure a catheter is inserted via an artery. The catheter is used
to place a new valve within the diseased valve. Once the new valve is
secure, the catheter is removed. The replacement valve takes over for
the diseased valve and helps regulate blood flow from the heart.
MITRACLIP™: This is a percutaneous, minimally invasive procedure
to treat a leaking mitral valve. It is used as an alternative for the
high-risk patient, rather than undergoing traditional open cardiac surgical
intervention. This is a catheter-based procedure that is performed from
the groin.
WATCHMAN™: The WATCHMAN™ procedure offers an alternative for
patients with atrial fibrillation (Afib) who need an alternative to blood
thinners. The WATCHMAN™ implant is designed to close the heart’s
left atrial appendage. The device permanently reduces the risk of atrial
fibrillation related to stroke. Atrial fibrillation is the most common
cause of stroke as we get older.
TAVR, MITRACLIP™ and WATCHMAN™ are just some of the revolutionary
cardiac procedures at Jupiter Medical Center. Additional structural heart
procedures include:
- Transcatheter mitral valve replacement
- Minimally invasive surgical valve repair or replacement
- Percutaneous closure of Atrial Septal Defects/Patient Foramen Ovale (PFO) Closure
- Ballon valvuloplasty
- Minimally invasive treatments for atrial fibrillation including the Convergent procedure
- Minimally invasive treatments to prevent thrombotic complications associated
with atrial fibrillations. These treatments include the watchman device
and thoracoscopic ligation of the left atrial appendage.
- Alcohol septal ablation
Structural Heart Valve Clinic
The Robson Heart and Vascular Institute’s Structural Heart Valve
Clinic evaluates patients with heart valve disease. Our multidisciplinary
team of physician experts reviews each case, collaborates on the most
effective treatment option, and creates a personalized treatment plan
unique to each patient.
Our dedicated Valve Clinic Coordinator is an integral member of your multidisciplinary
team, providing education and coordination of care, screening and assessing
patients, ordering, and scheduling diagnostic testing, coordinating appointments,
planning, and assisting with procedures, discharge planning and follow up care.
Our Structural Heart Program also offers:
- State-of-the-art options for heart valve repair and replacement
- Some of the most experienced cardiovascular specialists in the region
- Comprehensive management of heart valve disorders from diagnosis through treatment
- A single point of contact for your heart valve care
- Coordination of procedures, tests, screenings, and specialist appointments
with your convenience in mind
Patients suffering from cardiac conditions should talk to their doctor
about their individual diagnosis and treatments that may be right for
them. Jupiter Medical Center’s Valve Clinic evaluates patients to
determine the most appropriate treatment options.For more information,
or to schedule an appointment, please call:
Jennifer Christensen, BSN, RN, RT(N), Structural Heart and Valve Clinic
Coordinator at 561-263-3767.