Treating Structural Heart Disease

At the Center for Structural Heart Disease, we’re committed to providing safe, effective care that relieves symptoms and improves heart function. When you have a problem with your heart’s valves, muscles or walls, we work together to address your unique needs and concerns.

We find solutions even when you don’t feel you have options.

Why choose Henry Ford Health to treat structural heart disease?

We specialize in minimally invasive treatments with the ability to handle even the most complex cases. We’re known nationwide for creating ways to make treatment safer and available to more people, with a range of clinical trials.

In addition to procedures, we improve methods for viewing and evaluating the heart. For more difficult cases, we even use 3D printing to make a model of your heart. With your “heart” in our hands, we can study its unique anatomy and plan your personalized treatment.

Regardless of the treatment approach, we support you at every step, from thoroughly evaluating your needs to easing your recovery.

What to expect from treatment at Henry Ford

After your evaluation, our team works together to make a treatment recommendation that best meets your needs. We specialize in innovative, minimally invasive procedures, using catheters (thin tubes) and blood vessels to reach your heart. These treatments may provide an alternative to surgery and don’t require a heart-lung bypass machine. Learn more about what to expect from a minimally invasive heart procedure at Henry Ford.

While we look to minimally invasive techniques when possible, some people benefit the most from open-heart surgery. Our team includes experienced heart surgeons for safe and effective treatment.

Other options for your heart may include medications and lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.

Minimally invasive heart valve repair and replacement

When appropriate, minimally invasive heart valve repair and replacement offers an alternative to surgery. We have extensive experience with these procedures, annually performing more mitral and aortic valve procedures than 90 percent of the country’s programs. Procedures include:

• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): TAVR can benefit a wide range of people who need aortic valve replacement. Our director, William O’Neill, M.D., performed the first TAVR in the country. We continue to make the procedure safer and available to more people. Learn more about TAVR.
• Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) or replacement (TMVR): We have extensive experience using a device that clips to the mitral valve and reduces leaks. We also participate in a range of clinical trials to test other repair devices and new replacement valves. Learn more about Mitral Valve.
• Transcatheter pulmonary and tricuspid valve repair or replacement: Minimally invasive valve replacement may successfully treat narrowed or leaking pulmonary valves. We’re also investigating catheter-based repair or replacement of the tricuspid valve, options not widely available.

Alcohol septal ablation

We have years of experience injecting alcohol to safely treat thickened heart muscle in people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Learn more about alcohol septal ablation.

Atrial septostomy

This catheter-based treatment can relieve pressure in the heart from pulmonary hypertension and prevent further harm. We’re among the few programs in the country offering minimally invasive atrial septostomy.

Cardiac hole closure

We offer minimally invasive methods for closing holes in the heart. We have extensive experience doing so. Learn more about cardiac hole closure.

Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure

If you have atrial fibrillation, we can reduce your stroke risk from clots. We offer a procedure that seals off a pouch on the heart called the left atrial appendage, so blood can’t pool there and clot. Learn more about LAA closure.