Structural Heart & Valve Program in Brooklyn

Exceptional care for structural heart diseases

The Structural Heart & Valve Program at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital is comprised of doctors from Weill Cornell Medicine that bring exceptional care to the hearts of Brooklyn. We offer advanced surgical procedures for patients with severe aortic stenosis, mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, failing bioprosthetic valves (aortic & mitral), and several other structural heart defects.

Our award-winning specialists provide leading heart services with compassionate support. From innovative valve replacement procedures and clinical trials to ongoing structural heart care, our experts are committed to your lifelong cardiac health.

Services we offer

ASD Closure (transcatheter): A special closure device is inserted into the heart via catheterization to treat an atrial septal defect (ASD).
Paravalvular leak (PVL) closure (mitral or aortic): Our valve specialists can repair paravalvular prosthetic regurgitation percutaneously in select high-risk patients.
PFO Closure: A special closure device is inserted into the heart via a catheterization procedure to seal a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a small opening between the heart’s upper chambers.
Traditional and minimally invasive catheter-based procedures for structural heart defects such as severe aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, failing bioprosthetic valves, and more.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): A minimally invasive technique to treat aortic stenosis. A prosthetic valve is placed inside the patient’s heart valve, where it expands and functions immediately.
Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR): A highly specialized and minimally invasive technique that can be offered as an alternative for patients with failing bioprosthetic mitral valves.

Frequently asked questions

What are the symptoms and risk factors of structural heart and valve conditions?

Symptoms of valve conditions:

Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Swollen feet or legs
Sensations of a fast, fluttery, or pounding heartbeat
Dizziness
Chest discomfort

Risk factors of valve conditions:

Older age
Cardiac conditions at birth
High blood pressure
Family history of heart disease

What should I bring to my initial appointment?

Please bring your most recent list of medications, photo ID and all insurance cards. In addition, while we provide language services, we encourage bringing along a family member that can also stand in on the conversation.

What can I expect from my initial evaluation and follow-ups?

We’re here to help you make your patient journey as seamless as possible. Our goal is to consolidate your diagnostic testing and clinic visit into one visit. When you come to us for care, your patient journey may go as follows:

Meeting our team at the Center for Community Health for an initial evaluation
Your provider will use diagnostic imaging to gain more insight into your heart health and symptoms
Meeting with your heart valve team to discuss the best course of treatment based on your medical history and test results if needed
If further treatment is recommended, you may undergo a procedure at the cardiac catheterization laboratory (cath lab) here at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist
Going for a follow up appointment at the Center for Community Health 2-4 weeks after the initial procedure

What kind of diagnostic testing will I need prior to the procedure?

We offer a variety of testing in collaboration with our radiology team:

CT scan of the chest and abdomen: A radiology scan used to visualize the heart’s blood vessels and arteries in addition to the blood vessels of the abdomen and legs
Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE): An ultrasound of the heart used to evaluate the chambers, valves and blood vessels of the heart
Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE): An adjunctive modality to TTE, this exam further looks at the functionality of the heart by inserting a probe into the esophagus
Cardiac catheterization: A minimally invasive procedure to examine the arteries and measure the pressures of the heart

How can I share my medical records and/or CDs of previous imaging?

It’s important to have as much information as possible prior to your initial evaluation. A summary of your medical records, a recent echocardiogram from within the year, or any recent cardiac procedures can help our team provide the most thorough care possible. We do request that all imaging studies are available for review. Contact us for any questions you have on coordinating and obtaining your records.