University of Miami Health System Cardiology has been a pioneer in the cardiac arena and is committed to providing the highest-quality cardiovascular care in Florida and beyond. In 2008, UHealth surgeons performed Florida's first Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

Our experts have subsequently performed thousands of procedures, continually innovating to advance interventional cardiac care for even the most complex, high-risk patients. Some of the structural heart interventions we perform include:

• Heart Valve Interventions: TAVR and MitraClip, with referrals from physicians across the region for their most challenging cases.
• Stroke and Heart Defect Care: In collaboration with UHealth Neurology, we offer comprehensive care to patients who have suffered a stroke and require the closure of a heart defect known as patent foramen ovale (PFO).
• Paravalvular Leak Closure: For patients with small defects around artificial valves, we have a multidisciplinary team that specializes in imaging and treating these defects."

Structural Heart Disease

Structural heart disease refers to a defect in the heart's valves, walls, or chambers. The condition can be congenital (present at birth) or develop over time. The Structural Heart Valve Program at UHealth is led by a multidisciplinary team specializing in both congenital and acquired structural heart conditions. We utilize the latest technology and techniques to deliver the highest quality, patient-centric care.

Common Types of Structural Heart Disease

• Aortic Valve Disease
• Congenital Heart Diseases (e.g., Atrial Septal Defect, Ventricular Septal Defect)
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
• Mitral Valve Disease

• Tricuspid and Pulmonic Valve Disease

• Heart-related Stroke (LAAO, PFO)

Diagnosing Structural Heart Conditions

Most of our structural heart disease patients are referred by general cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, or cardiovascular surgeons. Early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment, and we begin with a thorough physical exam followed by additional tests, which may include:

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Wires (electrodes) attached to adhesive pads on your skin measure electrical impulses from your heart. An ECG can detect enlarged chambers of your heart and abnormal heart rhythms.  

Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT) Exam

Used frequently to evaluate valve disease, cardiac CT gives detailed pictures of the heart's actual shape and size. In some cases, cardiac MRI, which uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create images of the heart, may be useful.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scans

Cardiac MRI is a noninvasive procedure that produces images of the heart and blood vessels. It can aid doctors in diagnosing complex heart diseases and provide precise information about how the heart functions.

Treatments

Historically, structural heart diseases were treated with open-heart surgery. Today, less invasive approaches, such as transcatheter valve replacements (TAVR) or percutaneous valve replacements, offer several advantages, including shorter procedure times, minimal scarring, reduced blood loss, decreased pain, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and fewer complications.

UHealth offers a range of minimally invasive procedures, depending on the specific condition. These treatments include:

• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): a minimally invasive procedure that repairs the aortic valve without removing the old, damaged valve. This approach involves placing a replacement valve via a catheter, which then takes over regulating blood flow.
• Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER): for patients with mitral valve regurgitation (or a leaky heart valve), mitral valve repair with the Mitraclip® or Pascal® procedure is a minimally invasive option. A mechanical clasp using a catheter is guided to your heart through the femoral vein. The clamp reduces leakage and associated symptoms of regurgitation.
• Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO)
• Alcohol Septal Ablation
• Mitral Clip
• Amplatzer Septal Occluder

Why Choose UHealth?

The Center for Valvular Heart Disease. Our experts accurately diagnose and treat patients to restore normal valve function.

National experts in transcatheter aortic valve replacement.  We have one of the pioneering sites in the U.S. for transcatheter valve replacement and have been doing it longer than any hospital in Florida. Our specialists are involved in clinical trials for new transcatheter valves and new applications for them.

Home to the Elaine and Sydney Sussman Cardiac Catheterization Lab. We provide advanced imaging capabilities and pinpoint accuracy for new and complex procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), mitral valve repair, other minimally invasive procedures, such as valvuloplasty, and other coronary and peripheral vascular interventions. We treat patients with various heart rhythm disorders to ablate the abnormal heart tissue responsible for producing the abnormal cardiac rhythm.