Structural and Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart disease is a defect of the heart’s chambers, valves or blood vessels present at birth. The abnormal heart structure disrupts the normal flow of blood through the heart.
While heart defects may be diagnosed in the womb or immediately after birth, some heart defects may not show until later in life.
Our experts provide the most innovative treatments and lifelong management of your congenital heart disease or structural heart condition, helping you live a full and healthy life.
Symptoms of Structural and Congenital Heart Disease
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Blue coloring of the skin, lips or fingernails
- Feeling out of breath and exceptionally tired during or after physical exertion
- Fluid buildup in the lungs and shortness of breath
- Swelling in the neck, abdomen, lower legs and feet
Types of Conditions We Treat
- Aortic valve stenosis: The valve in the aorta, the major artery in the heart, is narrow and doesn’t open and close properly.
- Mitral valve prolapse: One or both flaps of the mitral valve bulge backwards when the heart contracts, causing some blood to flow backwards.
- Mitral valve stenosis: The opening in the mitral valve is narrow, restricting blood flow.
- Coarctation of the aorta: Narrowing of the aorta affects blood flow to the lower part of the body.
- Atrial septal defect: The heart has a hole in the wall between the upper chambers.
- Ventricular septal defect: The heart has an opening in the wall between the lower chambers.
- Patent foramen ovale: The heart has an opening in the wall between the upper chambers which should have closed during newborn development.
How are Structural and Congenital Heart Conditions Diagnosed?
Our cardiologists use one or more non-invasive cardiac diagnostic tests such as electrocardiography (Echo or EKG) to diagnose heart defects.
You may undergo a state-of-the-art minimally invasive diagnostic test including cardiac catheterization or electrophysiology. Often, we can diagnose and treat congenital heart conditions at the same time, without requiring invasive surgery.
Innovative Valve and Structural Heart Surgery
Our doctors are pioneers in the latest procedures to treat structural and congenital heart conditions. You may be a candidate for a minimally invasive procedure even if you’ve been told surgery is not an option for you. These innovative techniques result in less pain, a shorter hospital stay and a quicker recovery. Our state-of-the-art hybrid operating rooms give surgeons the flexibility to perform robotic-assisted and minimally invasive procedures, with the ability to use open-surgery when needed.