Structural heart disease

Structural heart disease encompasses both congenital cardiac defects (birth defects) and acquired abnormalities affecting the valves, and vessels of the heart wall that develop with the usual wear and tear on the heart, due to aging or disease.

The three most common congenital heart diseases include:

• Atrial septal defect (ASD): a hole in the septum separating the two upper chambers of the heart
• Patent foramen ovale (PFO): a flap-like opening in the septum of the upper chambers
• Coarctation of the aorta: narrowing of the aorta, the vessel that supplies oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body

The common symptoms of structural heart disease are-

The treatment for Structural Heart Diseases are in the catheterization lab. This is for ASDs, PFOs and coarctations. For both ASDs and PFOs there is a catheter based procedure that utilizes specific closure devices. Stenting is used to treat patient’s coarctations.

In PFOs:

• Transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke)
• Migraine headaches
• Low oxygen levels in patients (rare)
• Decompression sickness (“bends”) in divers

In ASDs:

• Heart palpitations
• Exercise intolerance
• Stroke

In Coarctation of the Aorta:

• High blood pressure in the arms/head with low or normal blood pressure in the legs
• Stroke
• Early-onset coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Leg cramping during exertion
• Kidney dysfunction

Treatment for structural heart diseases includes:

Catheter-based procedures:

• ASDs and PFOs: closure devices are used to seal openings
• Coarctation of the Aorta: balloon angioplasty and stenting expand the narrowed area