What Is Structural Heart Disease?

Structural heart disease refers to abnormalities in the heart's anatomy, including its valves, walls, chambers, or blood vessels. These conditions can be congenital, meaning they're present from birth, or develop later in life due to as aging, infections, or general wear and tear.

Structural heart issues involve mechanical malfunctions within the heart, where various components may fail to function as intended. For instance, a valve might not open or close properly, a wall could have a hole, or a chamber may become enlarged or stiff.

Types of Structural Heart Conditions

Structural heart conditions can present in a wide range of ways, both in terms of symptoms and severity. Recognizing these specific issues is essential for early detection and effective management. Some of the most prevalent structural heart conditions include:

• Aortic stenosis: Characterized by the narrowing of the aortic valve opening, aortic stenosis obstructs blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta, potentially leading to chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

• Mitral regurgitation: This condition occurs when the mitral valve doesn’t close tightly, allowing blood to flow backward into the left atrium during left ventricular contraction. This can cause symptoms such as palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

• Tricuspid regurgitation: Caused by heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, or valve abnormalities, tricuspid regurgitation is the backflow of blood from the right ventricle into the right atrium due to a leaky tricuspid valve. Symptoms include swelling, fatigue, and a feeling of fullness in the neck and veins.

• Atrial septal defect (ASD): ASD is a congenital heart condition involving a gap in the septum separating the two upper chambers of the heart, the atria. This defect allows oxygen-rich blood to mix with oxygen-poor blood, potentially increasing blood flow to the lungs and leading to serious complications such as heart failure or arrhythmias.

• Patent foramen ovale (PFO): A PFO is a small, flap-like opening between the right and left atria present at birth. It usually closes in infancy, but if it remains open (patent), it can increase the risk of stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).

• Left atrial appendage (LAA) dysfunction: This procedure seals off the left atrial appendage, where blood clots can form, thereby reducing the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Many of these conditions can develop gradually over the years without causing noticeable symptoms, making regular monitoring and early intervention essential.

Structural Heart Disease Treatments

Advancements in cardiology have made it possible to treat many structural heart conditions using minimally invasive techniques rather than traditional open-heart surgery. At Cardiovascular Physicians of Delaware, we focus on these innovative treatments to improve blood flow, reduce symptoms, and shorten recovery times.

• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): This procedure replaces the aortic valve without open-heart surgery by threading a catheter, usually through the groin, to guide and deploy a new biological tissue valve inside the old one.

• MitraClip™: This technique is designed to treat mitral valve regurgitation by clipping the mitral valve leaflets together to prevent blood from leaking backward.

• Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO): This procedure is used to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation by sealing off the left atrial appendage, where blood clots can form.

• Tricuspid valve interventions: These emerging catheter-based procedures can address tricuspid regurgitation.

• Comprehensive heart valve evaluations: These evaluations encompass a range of diagnostic approaches, including echocardiography, CT imaging, and a thorough multidisciplinary review by a team of specialists.

Cardiovascular Physicians of Delaware will create a custom treatment plan based on your individual condition, health history, and personal goals.

Learn More From an Expert Heart Specialist

Early diagnosis and treatment of structural heart disease can significantly improve long-term health outcomes for patients. At Cardiovascular Physicians of Delaware, our specialists use the latest advancements in cardiovascular medicine to diagnose and treat a variety of structural heart conditions. We're committed to ensuring that every patient receives accessible and personalized care.

Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment. We see patients throughout Delaware, including Wilmington, Newark, Bear, Middletown, Dover, Smyrna, Lewes, Ocean View, and Millville, as well as in Elkton, Maryland.