Structural Heart

The structural heart program focuses on the surgical treatment of patients with heart disease and other vascular conditions. Surgical options may include repairing or replacing damaged valves through methods such as TAVR and SAVR.

Structural heart program in Covington

The cardiologists at Lakeview Hospital use the latest techniques to repair structural heart abnormalities and monitor your long-term health after treatment. Structural heart conditions are problems that occur within the heart's tissues or valves. They can occur at birth (congenital abnormality) or later in life, and, once diagnosed, should be addressed quickly by a specialist in structural heart care.

Patients can be referred by their primary care physician or cardiologist. Our team works with referring physicians to provide individualized care that caters to every patient’s medical history and personalized risk factors. We will identify the best treatment option that corrects the problem and prioritizes your future quality of life.

Structural heart conditions we treat

Our team is committed to providing solutions for complex heart conditions that may not be treatable at other facilities in our area. Our Heart & Vascular Care providers, commonly treat patients with:

• Aortic stenosis
• Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
• Atrial septal defect (ASD)
• Mitral regurgitation
• Mitral valve stenosis
• Patent foramen ovale (PFO)

Benefits of Lakeview Hospital Heart & Vascular Center

At the Heart and Vascular Center, there are many benefits to being in our care. Our qualifications include:

• Pioneers in cardiac care: Our cardiologists perform protected percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedure using advanced pumping technology and minimally invasive bypass surgery.
• Prominent leaders in cardiology research: Our cardiac specialists work to advance care by leading innovative clinical trials and research projects and authoring peer-review publications.
• A team approach to heart care: Our team consists of highly skilled surgeons, cardiologists, electrophysiologists, nurses and technicians who work together to develop the best treatment plan for each and every patient.
• Leading-edge procedures: We offer minimally invasive treatments that provide options to people who may have been previously told surgery was too risky.
• A care philosophy centered around you – We believe heart care should be empathetic, responsive and best in class.
  • Empathetic – In order to create the optimal care plan, we strive to understand your lifestyle and how your symptoms affect you as a person.
  • Responsive – We continually work towards making care more convenient whether it is through increased appointment availability or tele-cardiology.
  • Best in class – For you to live longer and in better health, medical care has to be right, safe and effective.
• Convenience: We bring advanced cardiovascular care to your community hospital. We don’t want you to have to travel far for expert cardiology care.

See why more people on the Northshore choose us to care for their heart.

At our heart center, interventional cardiologists from work with emergency personnel to offer a customized level of care.

Comprehensive cardiology expertise

At Lakeview Hospital, we're committed to providing comprehensive care for all stages and types of cardiac disease, such as:

Treatments

• Abnormal Heart Rhythms - Arrhythmia Care
• Heart failure
• Heart attack
• Heart surgery
• Structural Heart Surgery
• Vascular surgery
• Cardiac rehabilitation

Heart disease

We use a team approach to coronary heart disease treatment, consisting of highly skilled surgeons, cardiologists, nurses and technicians who work together to develop the best treatment plan for every patient.

Heart Disease Risk Assessment

Heart failure

Heart failure is a serious condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood throughout the body. It can't be cured, but it can be managed. Our cardiology staff is highly trained in treating heart failure and can help patients live an everyday life through various treatments and medications.

Heart attack

Our chest pain center offers emergency heart care 24/7. They routinely exceed the national quality goal of a door-to-angioplasty time in under 90 minutes, which is the time considered ideal for clearing a blockage and having a patient survive heart attack. We use a team-based approach with cardiologists, surgeons, nurses and rehabilitation therapists to ensure patients get quality care both during and after treatment.

Arrhythmia care

The electrophysiologists at the Lakeview Regional are world-renowned educators, researchers and clinicians who treat all types of heart arrhythmias.

Heart surgery

Our interventional cardiologists have deep expertise and experience with leading-edge, minimally invasive procedures for cardiac emergencies and the treatment of heart conditions. Some of the types of heart surgery we conduct include:

• Angioplasty
• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
• Cardiac stent
• Coronary artery bypass
• Aortic stent grafting
• Off-pump coronary artery bypass (CAB)
• Minimally invasive interventional radiology procedures
• Chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention

Structural heart surgery

Cardiologists with Lakeview Hospital are specialists experienced in structural heart surgery use the latest techniques to repair heart abnormalities and diseased valves to improve your quality of life. Procedures include:

• Aortic valve replacement
• Left atrial appendage closure (LAA)
• Patent foramen ovale occlusion (PFO)
• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Vascular surgery

Our vascular surgeons are skilled in the latest surgical methods to treat serious vascular conditions. Vascular disease is any condition that affects the network of blood vessels in your body, including the legs, arms, neck and kidneys. When a blockage occurs it can affect your ability to function, it can also cause pain, and even threaten your life. The board-certified vascular surgeons at Lakeview Hospital offer comprehensive care for all vascular conditions.

Conditions we treat include:

• Peripheral vascular disease
• Peripheral artery disease
• Carotid artery disease
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm
• Aortic dissection
• Pelvic congestion syndrome
• Claudication
• Critical limb ischemia
• Fibromuscular dysplasia
• Renal artery disease
• Vertebral artery disease
• Visceral artery disease
• Varicose veins
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• May-Thurner syndrome
• Nutcracker syndrome
• Venous ulcer

Cardiac rehabilitation

If you're recovering from a heart attack or have a heart condition such as congestive heart failure, your cardiologist may suggest cardiac rehabilitation. Our therapists and rehab specialists have experience in working with a variety of cardiac conditions, and we'll work with you to design a rehab program to meet your needs.

Care that helps prevent future cardiac emergencies

Lakeview Hospital offers patented information technology system that automatically scans diagnostic tests performed during an inpatient, outpatient or emergency room visit for additional signs that you may be at risk for a future cardiac emergency. If you are determined to be at risk, a nurse navigator will contact you to explain the findings and connect you with the appropriate follow up care.

Include surgical treatment options for heart and heart valve conditions. Our heart surgeons perform:

• Aortic valve replacement
  • Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
• Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC)
• Atrial septal defect (ASD)/patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure

Aortic valve replacement

As people age, their aortic valve can narrow. This condition, called aortic stenosis, can cause symptoms that significantly impact their quality of life and even increase the risk of death. Patients with severe aortic stenosis should seek immediate treatment.

If you have aortic stenosis, your cardiologist may recommend that you undergo aortic valve replacement. In this procedure, your damaged valve is removed and an artificial valve is put in its place.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

While aortic valve replacement typically is done via open heart surgery, cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons at Lakeview Regional offer transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

TAVR

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure for patients with a narrowing aortic valve (aortic stenosis) that replaces the diseased valve. TAVR is an option for patients who are considered too high risk for traditional open-heart surgery.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in Covington

As people age, their aortic valve can narrow. This condition, called aortic stenosis, can cause the heart to work harder to get the blood through, creating a shortage of blood to your organs. The symptoms can significantly impact a person's quality of life. They may have trouble doing everyday tasks like grocery shopping or gardening.

Once symptoms develop, the risk of death increases. That’s why the timing of treatment is crucial for patients with the disease.

At Lakeview Hospital, our cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons offer a nonsurgical, minimally invasive approach to aortic heart valve replacement—transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This procedure is performed at the Lakeview Hospital, located in Covington.

Personal, experienced cardiac care

• A team approach to care - Our team of highly-skilled cardiologists, interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons collaborate to develop the optimal treatment plan for each and every patient
• One office visit - Testing, review of all results and development a treatment plan in one, convenient office visit
• One location - Diagnosis, evaluation and treatment in one convenient location
• Personalized care - At your appointment, your care coordinator will guide and escort you to each test and heart specialist. You will never be left wandering the hospital. We are committed to treating every patient the way we would treat our own loved one

What is TAVR?

With transcatheter aortic valve replacement, a cardiologist inserts a new, bioprosthetic aortic valve on a long catheter through an artery in the leg. The doctor then makes sure the new valve is working correctly before closing the incision. The procedure takes about one to two hours to complete.

Is the TAVR procedure right for me?

Aortic valve replacement is recommended for patients with severe aortic stenosis. In the past, replacing the aortic valve meant major surgery—cutting the chest bone, stopping the heart and opening the heart to replace the valve.

Open-heart surgery is often too risky for patients over 70 years old or who have other conditions such as a diabetes diagnosis. With clinical trials demonstrating the success of TAVR, we are also using this method for patients who are younger and at a lower risk. The benefits of this approach include faster recovery, less pain and fewer complications than open-heart surgery.

As with any procedure, there are risks that should be discussed with your physician. To find out if TAVR is an option for you, talk to one of our specialists about a referral to Lakeview Hospital's Heart & Vascular Center.

Aortic stenosis

The heart's aortic valve is a three-leaflet valve that acts as the major valve between the heart and the aorta. The aorta is a large blood vessel that distributes blood throughout the body. The top part of the aorta pushes blood and oxygen to the head and brain. The bottom part of the aorta is responsible for sending blood through the rest of the body.

The purpose of the aortic valve is to prevent the backflow of blood. When the heart pumps, the valve opens to let blood out and then closes again. Aortic stenosis may occurs when calcium builds up on the valve's leaflets, preventing it from opening all the way. Calcium buildup typically occurs as people get older and makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood through the valve.

Aortic stenosis can cause a shortage of blood supply to the organs; however, often times, aortic stenosis does not cause any symptoms. As the condition progresses to severe aortic stenosis, symptoms may appear that affect daily life, such as:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty completing daily activities (i.e. walking or getting dressed)
• Dizziness
• Extreme fatigue
• Fainting (syncope)
• Shortness of breath

TAVR recovery

When diagnosed and treated, patients with aortic valve disease can experience an improved quality of life and possibly a longer life. For patients with severe aortic stenosis, symptoms can significantly improve or even resolve. Many patients can return to a normal lifestyle after an aortic valve replacement procedure.

After the procedure, you can expect to be in the hospital for about three to five days. Our inpatient cardiac team will begin working with you on the day of your procedure. For many people, regular activity can be resumed in about 10 days. Your TAVR team will give you specific follow-up instructions, but many times care includes:

1. A phone call from your TAVR hospital care team a few days after discharge to check on your symptoms, medications and health.
2. A follow-up office visit with your TAVR doctor within 30 days of the procedure. This visit will likely include an echocardiogram to check your new valve. Other tests may also be ordered.
3. From there, your general cardiologist or primary care doctor will develop a follow-up care plan to fit your unique needs. Your heart should be checked yearly by a cardiologist.

a nonsurgical, minimally invasive approach to aortic heart valve replacement. This procedure is performed at Lakeview Hospital Heart & Vascular Center.

With TAVR, a cardiologist inserts a new bioprosthetic aortic valve using a catheter (a long, thin tub) through an artery in the leg. The doctor then makes sure the new valve is working properly before closing the incision. The procedure takes about one to two hours to complete.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) & atrial septal defect (ASD) closure

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) occurs when there is a hole between the heart's left and right atria. An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the part of the septum that separates the atria, the upper chambers of the heart.

To close a PFO or an ASD, the surgeon will thread a catheter into an incision, through the veins and into the heart. Once in the septum, the surgeon will open a tiny umbrella-like device to close the hole at the end of the catheter.