Conditions Treated
Structural heart disease refers to conditions affecting the heart's valves, chambers, or walls, as distinct from disease of the coronary arteries or electrical system. These conditions may be present from birth or develop later in life due to wear, degeneration, or other causes. Advances in catheter-based, minimally invasive techniques have transformed treatment options for many structural heart conditions, particularly for patients who may not be ideal candidates for open-heart surgery.
Valvular Disease
Valve Disorders
The heart's four valves ensure blood flows in one direction through the heart. Valve disorders generally fall into two categories:
Stenosis
Narrowing of a valve that restricts blood flow, most commonly affecting the aortic valve with age-related calcification.
Regurgitation
Leakage of a valve that allows blood to flow backward, reducing the heart's pumping efficiency.
Common symptoms of significant valve disease include breathlessness, fatigue, chest discomfort, light-headedness, and fainting, particularly with exertion. Diagnosis relies primarily on echocardiography, supplemented by other imaging as needed to plan treatment.
Present from Birth
Congenital Defects
Congenital heart conditions are structural abnormalities present at birth. While many are diagnosed and treated in childhood, some are identified or require treatment in adulthood, including:
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
An opening in the wall between the heart's upper chambers.
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
A persistent, small communication between the upper chambers, sometimes relevant to unexplained stroke.
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
An opening in the wall between the heart's lower chambers.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
A persistent connection between two major blood vessels.
Many of these conditions can now be closed using minimally invasive, catheter-based device closure techniques rather than open surgery.
Minimally Invasive Care
Advanced Treatment Options
Modern structural heart interventions offer effective, often minimally invasive alternatives to traditional open-heart surgery:
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)
A catheter-based technique to replace a diseased aortic valve without open-heart surgery, particularly suited to patients at higher surgical risk.
Device closure procedures
For ASD, PFO, VSD, and PDA, performed via catheter under imaging guidance.
Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) closure
A device-based procedure to reduce stroke risk in select patients with atrial fibrillation who are unable to tolerate long-term blood-thinning medication.
Balloon valvuloplasty
A catheter-based technique to relieve valve narrowing in select cases.
Surgical valve repair or replacement
Performed in coordination with cardiac surgery when appropriate.
Consult Dr. Godbole
Structural heart care, minimally invasive
From valve disease to congenital defects and TAVI, every treatment plan begins with detailed imaging and a careful, multidisciplinary discussion of your options.
Director & Senior Consultant · Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hospital, Electronic City
