Structural Heart Conditions

If you have heart valve disease or another structural heart problem, you need a skilled care team with experience in treating these conditions. At the Center for Structural Heart Disease at Henry Ford Hospital, we’ve brought together a team with expertise in the most advanced treatments. Their ultimate goal: to have you breathing easier and feeling like yourself again.

Internationally known experts in interventional cardiology

People come to the Center for Structural Heart Disease for the highest quality care for heart valve disease and other conditions affecting structures in the heart. We offer:

• Pioneering experts: Our structural heart team, led by William W. O’Neill, M.D., is at the forefront of research and use of the latest transcatheter (minimally invasive, catheter-based) procedures to treat heart valve disease and other structural conditions. We are pioneers in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and are working on new ways to use this technique for other heart valves. For our patients, that means you’ll receive the latest treatments available today, from expert physicians with years of experience.
• Advancements that bring hope to patients: At Henry Ford, our world-class interventional cardiologists (specialists in cardiac catheterization) help people who have no other treatment options. Our depth of expertise in transcatheter procedures means that we can treat people who are too ill, old or frail for traditional open-heart surgery, offering them a second chance at life.
• Focus on patient safety: Our commitment to safe, effective care one reason we can provide such advanced treatment with excellent patient outcomes. We use advanced 3D imaging and printing to enhance patient safety by creating exact replicas of a patient’s heart. We use the models to precisely plan each patient’s treatment ahead of time, working out the details before you come in for your procedure. That translates to safer, shorter procedures with less pain and faster recoveries.
• Collaboration for personalized care: When you come in to meet with our team, we work quickly to understand the causes of your condition. We want to begin the treatment as soon as possible, so you can start feeling better. Our specialists meet in a weekly conference, bringing together expertise from several specialties to develop a customized treatment plan specifically for you.

Henry Ford: Latest treatments for structural heart disease

Our team of structural heart experts has led research and development for many of the latest, most advanced treatments available today. In fact, we were the first in the country to perform transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in 2012.

For many of our procedures, we are one of few programs in the country to offer these advanced techniques:

• 3D imaging and printing: We use the latest 3D technology to create an exact replica of your heart. Our physicians use this model to precisely plan your procedure, leading to a better outcome. Learn more about how we use 3D imaging and printing in our heart treatments.
• Minimally invasive heart valve replacement: Our interventional cardiologists are pioneers in the most advanced techniques for heart valve replacement, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Learn more about minimally invasive heart valve replacement procedures.
• Minimally invasive heart valve repair: Depending on your condition, we may be able to repair your native (natural) valve to relieve your symptoms. Read more about our procedures for minimally invasive heart valve repair and the conditions we treat with them.
• Other minimally invasive heart procedures: Our physicians offer several techniques and devices that correct structural heart conditions to lower your risk of stroke and help you enjoy a better quality of life. Learn more about the other minimally invasive heart procedures we offer to help prevent stroke.
• Medication management: If you have mild or no symptoms of heart disease, we can prescribe medications to manage your symptoms to help you feel better and reduce your risk of complications. Learn more about medication management for structural heart disease.

Structural heart conditions we treat

Some structural heart diseases are congenital defects, meaning that people were born with a problem affecting a heart valve or other structure of the heart. Other types of these diseases develop later in life due to an illness, infection, another heart condition or the normal process of aging.

At Henry Ford, our skilled interventional cardiologists treat people with all stages and all types of structural heart disease, including:

• Aortic valve disease: The aortic valve connects the left ventricle (lower heart chamber) to the aorta, the main artery that delivers oxygen-rich blood to the body. The valve can develop stenosis (narrowed valve that obstructs blood flow) or regurgitation (loosely closing valve that allows blood to flow backward into the heart). Read more about aortic valve disease.
• Mitral valve disease: The mitral valve connects the 2 chambers on the left side of the heart, collecting the oxygen-rich blood coming from the lungs before it is pumped out to the body. This valve can also develop stenosis or regurgitation, as well as prolapse (improperly closing valve that flops back into the left atrium). Learn more about mitral valve disease.
• Pulmonary and tricuspid valve disease: The pulmonary valve sits between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, which sends oxygen-depleted blood from the body to the lungs to pick up oxygen. The tricuspid valve connects the 2 chambers on the right side of the heart, collecting the oxygen-depleted blood coming into the heart from the body. Read about the types of pulmonary and tricuspid valve disease, stenosis and regurgitation.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): In this condition, parts of the heart muscle begin to thicken and stiffen, restricting proper blood flow and causing the heart to work harder to pump blood to the body. Find out more about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and the complications it can cause, including sudden cardiac death.
• Atrial fibrillation: This common arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) can lead to stroke in people who are unable to take blood thinners to prevent blood clots. Read about how atrial fibrillation can increase your risk of stroke.
• Heart conditions that lead to stroke: Certain heart conditions can cause holes in the heart in fetuses or in babies shortly after birth. These conditions can lead to stroke due to blood clots. Learn more about these other heart conditions that lead to stroke.

Advanced research and clinical trials for structural heart disease

At Henry Ford, our structural heart experts are always seeking new ways to advance the standard of care for people with heart valve disease and other structural heart diseases. Through our participation in research and clinical trials, our patients have access to the latest advancements in treating these diseases. Read more about our ongoing clinical trials.