AHN Structural Heart Center

How we treat structural heart conditions

We use the latest innovations for diagnosing, treating, and preventing various heart conditions. Our AHN specialists are experts at repairing heart problems with the most minimally invasive approach.

Conditions we treat

• Valvular heart disease. There are four heart valves that regulate the forward flow of blood between the four chambers of the heart. Heart valves can be damaged due to illness, genetics, other heart conditions, or simply wear out over time. Valvular dysfunction is typically classified as regurgitation/insufficiency (leaky), or stenosis (stiff and not opening properly). Patients may experience heart failure symptoms if these conditions become severe.
  • Mitral valve disease occurs when the valve that connects the two chambers on the left side of the heart fails to open or close properly. Learn more about mitral valve disease.
  • Tricuspid valve disease happens when the tricuspid valve improperly regulates the blood flow between the two chambers on the right side of the heart. If the valve becomes too “leaky,” it can create a buildup of pressure.
  • Aortic valve disease occurs when the heart valve, or the “door” that allows the blood to flow out of the heart and into the aorta, doesn’t open or close properly. Learn more about aortic valve disease.
• Atrial fibrillation with an inability to take blood thinners. The risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation can be as high as 20%. Starting therapy early, which often includes blood thinners, is important to help minimize this risk. However, having a bleeding disorder, having a high-risk lifestyle, or being at high risk of falling are common reasons why patients don’t tolerate blood thinner therapy. Learn more about atrial fibrillation.

Structural heart and valve center treatment options

The AHN Structural Heart Center provides patients with a variety of advanced treatment options, including:

• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). A minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure for aortic valve replacement. Learn more about Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
• Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). A minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure for mitral valve replacement in a previously replaced bioprosthetic (tissue) mitral valve. TMVR for patients with mitral valve disease of their native valve (the one they were born with) is available as part of a clinical trial. Participation in clinical trials is based on meeting eligibility criteria.
• Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER). A minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure used to treat a “leaky” heart valve.
  • MitraClip™ procedure. A MitraClip™ is used to treat severe symptomatic mitral valve regurgitation. The device clips the leaflets of the valve together to reduce the amount of blood that can flow backwards into the top chamber on the left side of the heart.
  • TriClip™ procedure. This is an investigational procedure used to treat severe symptomatic tricuspid valve regurgitation. The device clips the leaflets of the valve together to reduce the amount of blood that can flow backwards into the top chamber on the right side of the heart.
• Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). The WATCHMAN™ and Amulet™ devices lower stroke risk in people with heart arrhythmias who can’t use blood thinners.