Heart Valve Heart Disease

The heart's four valves act like gates that open and close tightly to keep blood flowing in the heart in one direction. When your valves do not work properly, you are at risk for a variety of problems. Approximately five million Americans are diagnosed with heart valve problems every year.

Heart Valve Disease: Expert Care in Tampa, FL

St. Joseph's Heart Institute is recognized nationwide as a leader in treating valvular heart disease. Heart valve conditions we treat include:

• Valvular stenosis, when the valve opening is smaller and narrower than normal. This reduces the amount of blood that can flow through, which makes the heart less efficient and prevents the body from receiving the blood flow it needs.
• Valvular regurgitation, also called valvular insufficiency or "leaky valve." The valve does not close properly, allowing the blood to leak backward through the valve.
• Valve atresia is a birth defect in which a valve is missing or unformed. The blood can't flow to the lungs and pick up oxygen, depriving your body of oxygen it needs.
• Mitral valve prolapse occurs when the valve between your left upper chamber and left lower chamber does not close properly. This can lead to valve regurgitation.

Treatments for Heart Valve Disease

We often begin a course of treatment with a medication regimen. If the medications alone cannot control the problem, we may recommend surgery. You can feel confident that you have placed your heart in skilled, experienced hands. Our heart surgeons have 25 years of experience performing procedures to correct these problems, including:

• Mitral valve repair
• Valve replacement with either biologic or artificial heart valves
• Small incision procedures for heart valve problems

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a revolutionary procedure that treats valve disorders without the need for open heart valve replacement surgery. While valve replacement is the standard procedure to treat valve disease, it requires opening the chest and is not an option for many patients. During a TAVI procedure, surgeons insert a replacement valve into the aortic valve. Eventually, the replacement valve takes over the job of the aortic valve, improving blood flow and symptoms. Benefits of this advanced procedure include:

• It is minimally invasive, meaning surgeons use small incisions without needing to open the chest
• Your recovery is faster. It provides an excellent option for older patients who are not candidates for open heart surgery

Learn more about heart services we provide.

Contact Us

For more information or for a physician referral call (813) 644-4322. 
Map and Directions