The Structural Heart Disease Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital represents a groundbreaking step in the management of advanced and complex valvular and structural heart disease. This innovative program offers patients access to a highly specialized, multidisciplinary team of experts, ensuring personalized and comprehensive care under one roof.
A Collaborative Approach to Care
One of the defining features of this program is its team-based approach. Specialists in cardiovascular medicine, interventional cardiology, cardiac surgery, cardiovascular imaging, and cardiac anesthesia work together seamlessly to evaluate and treat patients. By consolidating expertise, patients can meet multiple specialists in a single visit, streamlining the diagnostic and treatment planning process. This collaboration ensures that every patient receives a tailored care plan designed to achieve the best possible outcome.
Pioneering Clinical Trials
The Structural Heart Disease Program is at the forefront of clinical research, participating in cutting-edge trials that redefine how structural heart disease is treated. The Program is currently enrolling patients in the PARTNER trial, a national, multi-center, randomized study for individuals with aortic stenosis who are at high risk for traditional surgery.
Notably, the team recently achieved a significant milestone by completing the first percutaneous aortic valve replacement as part of this trial. Using a 26mm SAPIEN prosthesis, the procedure was performed via the transfemoral route with entirely percutaneous vascular access and closure. This minimally invasive approach minimizes recovery time and complications, marking a new era in valve replacement therapies.
Looking ahead, the Program plans to expand its offerings to include transapical approaches and anticipates launching new trials focused on patients with mitral regurgitation. These efforts underscore the Program's commitment to advancing the field of structural heart disease treatment through rigorous research and innovation.
Cutting-Edge Treatment Options
The specialists at Brigham and Women's Hospital provide a comprehensive suite of advanced treatment options, ensuring patients have access to the latest therapies. These include:
Percutaneous valve replacement: An innovative, minimally invasive alternative to traditional open-heart surgery for patients with severe aortic stenosis.
Aortic and mitral valvuloplasty: A procedure designed to improve valve function by widening narrowed heart valves.
Catheter-based closure of periprosthetic valvular leaks: A lifesaving option for high-risk or inoperable patients experiencing complications from prosthetic heart valves.
“Hybrid” approaches: A combination of catheter-based and surgical techniques to address complex cases involving both coronary and valvular heart disease.
A Legacy of Excellence
Brigham and Women's Hospital is consistently ranked among the nation’s top hospitals, a distinction reflecting its unwavering dedication to patient care and innovation. As a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, the hospital boasts a world-class cardiovascular center and orthopedic center of excellence. With a focus on state-of-the-art medicine and surgery, the Structural Heart Disease Program exemplifies the hospital's mission to provide the highest quality of care to its patients.
Shaping the Future of Structural Heart Disease Care
With its multidisciplinary approach, cutting-edge clinical trials, and advanced treatment options, the Structural Heart Disease Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital is shaping the future of cardiac care. Patients can trust that they are receiving the most effective, research-backed treatments available, delivered by a team committed to achieving the best possible outcomes.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with the Structural Heart Disease Program, please contact Brigham and Women’s Hospital today. Experience world-class care designed to meet the unique needs of every patient.
