Structural Heart and Valve Disease

The most common of valvular heart diseases involves the aortic valve or mitral valve. When a valve does not open properly, narrowing (stenosis) can occur and the heart cannot efficiently pump blood to vital organs due to increased workload. Alternatively, leaking (regurgitation) of the valve can increase pressures in the different chambers of the heart and cause symptoms. Typical symptoms of heart valve conditions can include shortness of breath (particularly with activity), chest discomfort, passing out (syncope), or swelling in the ankles (edema). Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a procedure for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. The first TAVR in Connecticut was performed at Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) Heart and Vascular Center in 2011.

In 2024, Yale New Haven Health became the first healthcare system in Connecticut to receive Transcatheter Valve Center certification designations for Yale New Haven and Bridgeport hospitals from the American College of Cardiology. In 2021, YNHH became the first hospital in the state to receive such certification.

Our multidisciplinary team includes interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, electrophysiologists and/or pediatric cardiologists (as appropriate), invasive imaging specialists, nurses, advanced practice providers and research personnel. Procedures are catheter-based and minimally invasive surgery vs. open-heart surgery. Potential benefits may include improved outcomes, quicker recovery and fewer complications.

Yale New Haven Health participates in many clinical research studies, which include structural heart studies and research that has enabled TAVR to be available to all patients regardless of their surgical risk. If you are interested in learning more, please discuss with your doctor.

Conditions we treat

• Aortic stenosis
• Atrial septal defects and patent foramen ovales (PFOs)
• Coarctation of the aorta
• Mitral valve regurgitation and mitral valve stenosis
• Regurgitation or stenosis of surgically implanted valves
• Tricuspid valve regurgitation
• Ventricular septal defects

Procedures we perform

• Alcohol septal ablation
• Atrial septal defect closure
• Left atrial appendage closure with WATCHMAN FLX™ device
• Paravalvular leak closure
• Patent foramen ovale closure
• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
• Transcatheter left ventriculoplasty
• Transcatheter mitral valve repair (MitraClip™) and replacement
• Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement
• Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement
• Ventricular septal defect closure

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) program

For patients with patent foramen ovale, Yale New Haven Hospital offers the only comprehensive multidisciplinary PFO program in Connecticut and one of the largest in the Northeast. Our integrated team approach provides evaluation and treatment for adult patients who are at risk of a stroke or have had a stroke due to paradoxical embolism from a PFO or other abnormal connections. Our PFO program includes experts in structural cardiology, congenital cardiology, vascular neurology, and hematology who meet bi-weekly to devise patients’ treatment strategies based on the unique condition and needs of each patient.

What patient care offerings are provided to stroke patients with PFO?

• Cardiac monitoring
• Interventional techniques
• Laboratory and imaging diagnostic studies