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.