Structural heart program in Los Angeles and Ventura counties
The structural heart program at Los Robles Health System provides patients with the latest in medical best practices to treat structural heart disease. We are the only heart center between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, California with physicians who perform transcatheter repair or replacement of aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves.
To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors or for more information, call the Consult-A-Nurse® line at (877) 888-5746.
Transcatheter structural heart disease treatment
Advances in technology have spawned new, minimally invasive treatments for structural heart disease. Encompassing a number of different conditions, structural heart disease occurs when the walls and valves of your heart become damaged or diseased.
Think of the heart's structure like the walls and beams that hold it together. When these structures become damaged, the heart must work harder to pump blood and oxygen through the body.
Transcatheter treatments are minimally invasive and require only a small incision. From the incision site, the doctor guides a catheter to your heart using X-ray imaging. Your doctor may recommend a transcatheter treatment for your structural heart condition if you are not eligible for open-heart surgery.
Conditions we treat
We use transcatheter interventions to treat a range of structural heart disease conditions including:
Aortic regurgitation
One of two types of aortic valve disease, aortic regurgitation occurs when the valve does not close tightly. This causes leaky valves and reversed blood flow from the aorta to the left ventricle. As a result, the heart must work harder than it should.
Aortic stenosis
Aortic stenosis, the second type of aortic valve disease, occurs when the valve opening narrows and does not allow normal blood flow. In older patients, severe aortic stenosis is sometimes caused by calcium buildup on the valve’s leaflets. This buildup makes the leaflets stiff and unable to fully open, causing the heart to work harder. If the heart works too hard, it can lead to heart failure.
Atrial septal defect (ASD)
ASD is a hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart. People are born with ASD, and it often goes unnoticed and never causes problems. However, a larger hole may require heart wall closure surgery or a device closure to prevent damage to the heart and lungs.
Treating ASD may help alleviate symptoms and conditions such as shortness of breath, swelling of legs or abdomen, palpitations (skipped heartbeats) and cerebrovascular accidents (strokes).
Mitral valve regurgitation
The most common heart valve disorder is mitral regurgitation. When this valve doesn't close properly, blood flows back into the upper heart chamber to the lungs. This reduces the blood flow to the rest of the body and places undue pressure on the lungs.
Symptoms of mitral valve regurgitation include shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, stroke and congestive heart failure.
Mitral valve stenosis
Relatively uncommon in the U.S., mitral stenosis occurs when the valve narrows and blocks blood flow to the heart's main chamber (left ventricle). Mitral stenosis is typically caused by an infection and can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath and other symptoms.
Patent foramen ovale (PFO)
During fetal development, a small opening called the foramen ovale exists between the two upper chambers of the heart. It normally closes during infancy. However, in about 25 percent of the population, it doesn't. Most people never need treatment, but it can be associated with conditions like migraines with aura and unexplained strokes.
Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
A VSD is a hole between the walls of the heart's large, lower pumping chambers called ventricles. As a birth abnormality, it is typically evident early in an infant’s life. Occasionally, a VSD may not be diagnosed until one becomes an adult. Most of the time it closes on its own, but sometimes doctors can perform a catheter procedure to close the hole.
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome
People with WPW are born with an extra electrical pathway between the heart’s upper and lower chambers, which causes a very fast heartbeat. Although it is not life-threatening, WPW can impact your quality of life. Most people with this extra pathway have no symptoms, and it is only detected by an electrocardiogram. If you are experiencing a rapid heartbeat, a catheter ablation may permanently correct the heart rhythm problems.
Treatments we offer
We offer cutting-edge transcatheter surgical treatment for structural heart diseases such as aortic stenosis treatment and heart defects such as WPW.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
Traditional valve replacement surgery requires an open-heart procedure with a sternotomy, in which the chest is surgically opened for the procedure. If you are not eligible for open-heart surgery, TAVR is a minimally invasive alternative.
During the procedure, doctors insert a new valve without removing the old, damaged valve. The TAVR procedure can be performed through very small openings that leave all the chest bones in place.
Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR)
TMVR is a procedure in which a small device is inserted to clip faulty valve leaflets together. This transcatheter procedure restores proper function and stops blood from flowing backward.
Transcatheter treatment of congenital heart defects
Treatment of congenital heart defects, such as atrial septal defects, patent foramen ovale or ventricular septal defects, can be managed with heart catheters. Once the catheter is in position, a closure device can be used to repair the abnormality.
