Heart valve disease can lead to serious complications if not properly treated, but with early detection and advanced treatment options, many patients can successfully manage their condition. The Structural Heart & Valve Center offers the latest treatments for heart valve disease, including minimally invasive options. Dive deeper with Dr. Michael Kasten, MD, a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, as he shares his insights into the causes, types and treatment options for heart valve disease.
Q: What is Heart Valve Disease?
“Heart valve disease is a condition where valves either become tighter or leaky, which is stenosis or insufficiency,” Dr. Kasten explains. Over time, these dysfunctions prevent the valves from performing their essential role of regulating blood flow, causing the heart to become overworked and eventually wear out, which can lead to symptoms or heart failure.
Q: What Are the Types of Heart Valve Disease?
Dr. Kasten highlights two of the most common types of heart valve disease: aortic stenosis and mitral valve insufficiency. “Aortic stenosis, which is a tight, erratic valve, can happen from calcification,” he says. This can occur as individuals age. The other common condition is mitral valve insufficiency. “The mitral valve, which is in the middle of the heart, actually begins to dilate and blood goes backwards through the heart,” Dr. Kasten adds.
Q: What Treatments Are Offered for Heart Valve Disease?
Dr. Kasten notes that not all heart valve disease requires surgery. “It is usually watched initially by your primary care doctor or cardiologist,” he explains. “There are medication adjustments that can be optimized, and eventually, if the heart valve disease progresses, a surgical referral will be made and we’ll discuss if, what and when surgery is required to fix this.”
Q: What Minimally Invasive Treatments Are Offered at St. Elizabeth?
If symptoms progress, patients have access to a range of advanced care. “We are very proud to offer many different types of minimally invasive heart valve treatments,” Dr. Kasten proclaims.
The Structural Heart & Valve Center offers minimally invasive procedures such as:
- Minimally invasive mitral valve repair or replacement.
- Mitra-Clip™.
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
- Valvuloplasty.
St. Elizabeth prioritizes comprehensive care, from initial diagnosis and monitoring to cutting-edge surgical interventions, ensuring patients receive the most effective treatment based on the severity of their condition.
Learn more about the advanced treatments for heart valve disease at St. Elizabeth Healthcare or call (859) 301-8287.
