Structural Heart Disease

If you’re suffering with severe aortic stenosis, you may have given up your active life. But with help from the specialists at the Heart & Lung Institute at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, you don’t have to give up hope.

We offer both aortic valve replacement (AVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) – a revolutionary, minimally invasive alternative for patients considered too high risk for open heart surgery.

About Aortic Stenosis

When blood leaves the heart, it flows through the aortic valve, into the aorta. In aortic stenosis, the aortic valve does not open fully, decreasing blood flow from the heart and limiting your ability to function normally.

As the aortic valve becomes narrower, the left ventricle has to increase pressure to pump blood out through the valve. To do this extra work, the muscles in the ventricle walls become thicker. As the pressure continues to rise, blood may back up into the lungs. Severe forms of aortic stenosis prevent enough blood from reaching the brain and the rest of the body.

People with aortic stenosis may not experience any noticeable symptoms until narrowing of the valve is severe. Common signs include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain, pressure or tightness
• Fainting, also called syncope
• Palpitations or a feeling of heavy, pounding or noticeable heartbeats
• Fatigue, especially during increased activity

Prevention & Detection

Knowing and controlling your risk factors for aortic stenosis can go a long way toward prevention. Start with our quick and simple heart-health risk assessment, which includes a printable report to share with your doctor. We also offer our nationally recognized Ornish Lifestyle Medicine™, free smoking cessation classes and more empowering programs.

If you think you are at risk for aortic stenosis or another valve disorder, AtlantiCare can help. Our cardiologists use state-of-the latest detection and diagnostic tools to catch the condition and put you on the fast track to treatment.

Personalized Treatment Plans

The Heart & Lung Institute offers a variety of surgical treatment options for valve disease, including some of the most minimally invasive procedures available. Your cardiac surgeon and dedicated care team will work with you to find the right option, based on your type and severity of your condition, your age and overall health.

Specialties include:

Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR)

Traditional AVR is considered the gold standard for severe aortic stenosis and other valve disorders. During this open-heart procedure, the damaged valve is replaced with an artificial one.

Transcatheter Aortic Replacement (TAVR)

If you or someone you love has severe aortic stenosis but is not a candidate for open-heart surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be an option. The procedure represents a new shift in the treatment of heart disease, where cases are reviewed by a team of cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists, clinical cardiologists and cardiac anesthesiologists, and the procedure is performed by a heart team blending the skills of each specialty to optimize patient outcomes.

In this minimally invasive procedure, our surgeons use a catheter through a small incision to replace your faulty valve with a new valve while your heart beats.

TAVR often provides immediate relief of debilitating symptoms and helps patients live longer, more active lives. A consultation with one of AtlantiCare’s cardiologists can help determine if TAVR is right for you.

Support for Every Step

In addition to our ongoing follow-up care, AtlantiCare offers the education, tools and resources you need for your heart-healthiest life. Explore our ongoing education and support programs, including free classes like Matters of the Heart, a monthly series where our cardiovascular experts discuss a wide range of topics and answer any questions you may have

Educational Resources