Structural Heart Disease

Structural Heart Disease

Our Structural Heart program provides advanced, minimally invasive procedures for complex heart conditions like valve disease and congenital defects. We use innovative technologies to improve outcomes and reduce recovery times.

Why Choose Baptist Health for Structural Heart Care

At Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, we don’t just treat structural heart disease — we lead the way in redefining how it’s managed. Our program is one of the most comprehensive in the region, combining world-renowned cardiologists, advanced diagnostics, and the most innovative minimally invasive procedures available today. We offer patients access to groundbreaking treatments through ongoing clinical trials and continually improve outcomes through personalized care. Whether you’re dealing with a congenital defect or an acquired structural issue, our multidisciplinary team uses advanced imaging and catheter-based technologies to provide the safest, most effective care possible — all with shorter recovery times and improved long-term heart function. Simply put, Baptist Health is where expertise meets innovation, with your heart at the center of everything we do.

Why Choose Baptist Health for Structural Heart Care

Our Approach

Your heart beats about 100,000 times each day, pumping oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. When structural abnormalities impact your heart’s function, specialized care is crucial. At Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, we take a collaborative, expert-driven approach, using the latest advanced treatments to restore your heart’s function and enhance your quality of life. We prioritize compassionate, patient-centered care, ensuring every step of your journey is tailored to your needs, comfort, and overall well-being.

Our Approach

By the Numbers: Structural Heart Disease

0 in 8

Aortic stenosis, the most common structural heart condition, affects approximately 1 in 8 people over the age of 75.

0 million+

Structural heart disease affects over 25 million people worldwide, yet many cases go undiagnosed until complications arise.

0%+

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures have a success rate of over 90% and significantly reduce hospital stays.

0%+

Early treatment of structural heart defects can reduce the risk of heart failure by more than 60%.

Meet Our Structural Heart Disease Specialists

What is Structural Heart Disease?

Structural heart disease occurs when you have an abnormality or defect in one or more parts of your heart. You may have been born with a defect (congenital) or developed one from aging, injury or infection. These problems make it harder for your heart to pump blood, putting you at increased risk for major heart problems like heart failure or heart attack.

If you have structural heart disease, abnormalities could appear in these parts of your heart:

  • Chambers
  • Major arteries carrying blood away from the heart
  • Muscle
  • Valves
  • Walls between the chambers

Symptoms may include:

  • Chest pain
  • Fainting
  • Fatigue
  • High blood pressure
  • Irregular heartbeats
  • Kidney problems
  • Lightheadedness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Swelling in your abdomen, ankles or feet

 

Types of Structural Heart Disease We Treat

We use leading-edge technologies and the most advanced medications to treat:

  • Aortic stenosis or regurgitation
  • Atrial septal defect (a hole in your heart)
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Heart valve disease
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Mitral valve prolapse or stenosis
  • Patent foramen ovale
  • Pulmonary valve stenosis or regurgitation
  • Tricuspid valve stenosis or regurgitation

Diagnosing Structural Heart Disease

To provide timely and accurate diagnosis, we rely on advanced diagnostic tools:

  • Cardiac computed tomography (CT)
  • Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Chest X-ray
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Cardiac catheterization

State-of-the-Art Structural Heart Disease Treatments

Our minimally invasive, catheter-based treatment options include:

  • Complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
  • Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy intervention
  • Percutaneous balloon aortic and mitral valvuloplasty
  • Percutaneous paravalvular leak repair
  • Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
  • Transcatheter mitral valve repair with MitraClip® (TMVR)

Patient Testimonials: Real Stories, Real Results

Photo of Howard Katzman, M.D.
“I had the best doctors, the best care, everyone I interacted with shared the same values: being thorough, compassionate, and striving for excellence. I saw many other patients receiving the same care that I did.”
Read Full Story
Howard Katzman, M.D.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Photo of Maria Teresa Gonzalez
“Every nurse, even the person who cleans the floors, is so attentive. On a scale from 1 to 10, Baptist Health is a 10—they’re magnificent all around.”
Read Full Story
Maria Teresa Gonzalez
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Photo of Gabriel Paolo
“The attention at Baptist Health was excellent, I would not have gotten that kind of treatment anywhere else. Dr. Quesada and his team have a desire to help. You feel that when you meet him. He’s very warm and you can tell his goal is to heal.”
Read Full Story
Gabriel Paolo
Mitral Valve Repair Patient

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. Some structural heart conditions do not cause symptoms and may not require treatment.

    For example, a small opening between the heart’s upper chambers, known as a patent foramen ovale (PFO), may never cause problems. However, structural heart disease should be monitored over time because conditions can change.

  • Structural heart disease involves problems with the heart’s physical structures.

    This can include the heart valves, chambers or heart muscle. Other types of heart disease may affect how the heart functions rather than its structure.

  • Structural heart disease can be present at birth or develop over time.

    Possible causes include:

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick.

    It is often genetic. With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, including lifestyle changes, medications and sometimes procedures, many people can manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.

  • Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure to replace a diseased aortic valve using a catheter, typically inserted through the leg. Candidates include people with severe aortic stenosis who are high, intermediate or low risk for open-heart surgery.

Our Location

Cardiology | Kendall (600W)
Closed

Cardiology | Kendall (600W)

8950 North Kendall Drive, Suite 600W, Miami, FL 33176

The Baptist Health Cardiology Difference

Your heart health is our priority. Whether you're managing a condition or looking to prevent one, our expert cardiology team is here to guide you every step of the way. We provide compassionate, personalized care, backed by the latest research and innovative treatments—to help you live a longer, healthier life.

The Baptist Health Cardiology Difference

News & Podcasts

News

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Heart Patient Rushed from Guatemala to Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute for Complex, Life-Saving Aortic Dissection Surgery September 9, 2024

As he recounts the day he collapsed in his home in Guatemala, William Stixrud, 80, father of five, a retired civil engineer and former ambassador to the U.S., gets understandably emotional as he...

Structural Heart Disease: The Rapid Pace of Advances in Replacing, Treating Heart Valves February 12, 2024

Most everyone understands that heart disease, or coronary artery disease, remains the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S. But as the elderly population grows, so do defects or disease associated with...

Advances in Repairing or Replacing Heart Valves Continue at a Steady Pace at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute February 16, 2023

Pivotal advances in treating or replacing heart valves, many of them initiated as part of national clinical trials, have taken place at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute over the past...

Podcasts

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AI and the Future of Heart Care February 26, 2024
Heart Murmurs March 23, 2023
This Is What Lack of Sleep Does to Your Brain and Heart July 8, 2025

Have Questions? Let's Talk.

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