Leading-edge Treatment for Structural and Valvular Heart Valve Disease

Structural heart disease affects one or more of the heart’s components: valves, walls, chambers and muscles. It causes improper blood flow through the upper and lower chambers of your heart or other problems. Whether you were born with a structural heart condition or developed one due to aging or illness, you’ll need an experienced heart team that offers the latest, most effective treatments.  

The structural heart disease program at Penn State Health brings together nationally respected experts from multiple disciplines, including interventional cardiology, cardiac surgery, diagnostic cardiology, radiology and anesthesia, to consider all appropriate treatment options. We’ll work with you to help determine the treatment plan that matches your unique needs and lifestyle.

Comprehensive Care for Complex Structural Heart Conditions

We offer the most advanced treatments, both open surgeries and minimally invasive procedures, for the most complex structural heart diseases. These include:

• Aortic valve disease – a narrowing of the heart valve that typically requires a valve replacement either by traditional open surgery or by a minimally invasive technique called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
• Mitral valve disease – the leaking or narrowing of the mitral valve, located between the left atrium and ventricle. The mitral valve can either leak, called mitral regurgitation, or become narrowed, called mitral stenosis. Mitral regurgitation is the most frequently occurring heart valve disease in the United States.
• Valvular atrial fibrillation – mitral valve disease can lead to atrial fibrillation (AFib). AFib can cause blood to pool in your heart and increases your risk of stroke.
• Perivalvular leak – a complication that occurs in approximately 12% of surgical valve replacements.

Why Choose Penn State Health for Structural Heart Disease

Penn State Health structural heart disease experts work closely with other specialists throughout our health system to make sure you receive comprehensive, coordinated care. We strive to expedite your evaluations, providing comfort and reassurance along the way. Our providers are trusted and well-regarded by patients and referring providers, who have seen firsthand the quality and breadth of care we have given the community over the last few decades. We are leaders in innovative procedures for heart valve disease, including TAVR, MitraClip percutaneous mitral valve repair and the Watchman device to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with AFib

Multidisciplinary Team Approach

Our multidisciplinary team of experts meets regularly to discuss patients’ cases in detail, review their test results and agree on a plan of action for the right treatment. The team typically includes heart valve surgeons, interventional cardiologists and imaging cardiologists. We work collaboratively to achieve the best possible outcomes, while keeping your values and needs in mind.

Guiding Patients Every Step of the Way

We don’t want you to feel lost in a big medical facility with multiple appointments, tests and procedures. Our experienced coordinators, nurses and nurse practitioners will guide you and your loved ones from the pre-procedure evaluation and intervention through follow-up care. Every step of the way, we’ll keep you informed of the plan and timelines for your care.

Support Groups

Support groups provide an opportunity to share your feelings and connect with other patients and caregivers who are experiencing similar struggles.

Learn more about support groups offered