Structural heart

• Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV)
• Balloon mitral valvuloplasty
• Revisional surgery for valve replacement
• Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR)
• Surgical ASD and PFO closure
• Surgical closure of left atrial appendage
• Surgical mitral valve repair or replacement (MVR)
• Surgical tricuspid valve repair or replacement (TVR)
• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
• Transcatheter ASD and PFO closure
• Transcatheter closure of left atrial appendage
• Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR)
• Transcatheter valve-in-valve therapy

Based on your diagnostic testing, individual evaluation and disease, our structural heart team may recommend surgical valve treatment.

In certain situations, the surgeon can restore the valve to normal function by remodeling the tissue, removing stretched tissue or sewing the tissue edges. In some cases, prosthetic or artificial rings may be used to reinforce the integrity of the valve.

Heart valves that are seriously degenerated or diseased typically cannot be repaired. In these cases, the old valve is removed and replaced with a new valve mechanism. The new valve is attached by sewing it to a rim of tissue kept from the original valve. There are different types of valve mechanisms in two categories: tissue valves and mechanical valves.

ASD/PFO closure surgery

In the past, there was no catheter-based method of closing ASDs and PFOs. That meant problematic ASDs and PFOs required open-heart surgery. Today, however, we are proud to offer a wide variety of catheter-based occlusion devices to safely close these holes.

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO)

LAAO is an alternative to long-term blood thinner medication therapy for stroke risk reduction for people who have non-valvular AFib. In this catheter-based procedure, a surgeon uses imaging technology to place the LAAO device.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) surgery

Aortic stenosis occurs when the aorta, the main artery pumping blood from the heart, narrows or stops opening fully. In its early stages, you may experience a decrease in blood flow, chest pain, weakness or fainting.

Left untreated, aortic stenosis can lead to further complications and even death. We perform a range of procedures to treat aortic stenosis, including TAVR.

How TAVR is performed

TAVR is a procedure performed by a specially trained TAVR surgeon. They replace a diseased aortic heart valve without having to use open-heart surgery. This alternative to surgery involves a balloon-expandable heart valve, which is placed into the heart through a catheter (thin flexible tube). Our TAVR operating room is equipped with advanced technology, which allows our TAVR team great precision.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) surgery

TMVR is a cutting-edge alternative to open-heart valve surgery. It is often recommended to patients with mitral regurgitation who are considered to be too high risk for conventional valve repair or replacement surgery. TMVR is a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure that is often used to treat patients who have previously undergone mitral valve replacement surgery.

HCA Florida Northside Hospital offers a minimally invasive option to open heart surgery for patients needing heart valve surgery.

The procedure is performed through a very small incision using thoracoscopic visualization, eliminating the need for cutting the breast bone, as is done in traditional heart surgery. This procedure is ideal for patients who need mitral valve repair or replacement. Compared with open heart surgery, this approach often means less pain and a quicker recovery. Additional advantages for patients with the minimally invasive procedure can include:

• Smaller, cosmetically more appealing incisions
• Decreased blood loss
• Decreased pain
• Shorter hospital stays
• Quicker return to normal activity
• Decreased risk for additional surgeries
• Patients  prefer it to the more invasive approach
• More natural exposure of the mitral valve

We offer inpatient and outpatient cardiac rehab programs to promote a full and speedy recovery following heart surgery or a heart event. Cardiac rehab involves education and a range of therapies tailored to your specific needs and conditions. It is used to increase stamina and improve heart health.