Feel Confident With Every Beat
Your heart sets your pace for life, and a heart valve disease diagnosis certainly offsets your natural rhythm. But those anxious feelings don’t have to stay. At the AdventHealth Cardiovascular Institute, we offer options for minimally invasive heart valve replacement.
Performed by board-certified cardiovascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists, these lifesaving procedures make surgical heart valve disease treatment available to people who are high-risk for open-heart surgery. Let us help you heal from heart valve disease so you can return to the life you love with a fresh new start.
World-Class Expertise for Exceptional Heart Care
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Pioneers in Heart Valve Research
With the goal of providing you with the best care to live your best life, we pioneered minimally invasive valve repair and replacement technology.
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A Commitment to Whole-Person Care
Designed with your needs in mind, our care facilities are customized for heart care. From diagnosis and treatment to cardiac rehab and beyond, we’ll be with you for the complete journey with help that will heal your body, mind and spirit.
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Experienced Surgeons
Our world-class cardiovascular team has performed countless successful minimally invasive heart surgeries, providing you with unmatched technical skill and the latest treatments.
Minimally Invasive Treatment Options
No medicines currently cure heart valve disease. While medication can help manage your symptoms and delay complications, sometimes for many years, it’s likely that surgery will be needed eventually. When you’ve reached that point, we offer a full range of minimally invasive procedures as alternatives to open-heart surgery.
- MitraClip®
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Small, safe and effective, MitraClip® may be an option for you if you have a leaky heart valve (mitral regurgitation) and are not a candidate for traditional surgery.
Much less invasive than open-heart surgery, MitraClip® results in less scarring and shorter recovery times.
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
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Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, or TAVR, is a safe and effective option for people who can't undergo open-heart surgery. The TAVR procedure replaces a damaged or diseased aortic valve instead of removing it.
Heart Surgeons Who Ease Your Mind
When surgery is necessary to keep your heart beating strong, you want the most experienced and compassionate surgeons at your side — and that’s what you can expect here. Our surgeons put your comfort and safety first, answering your questions and explaining your options, so you can feel comfortable and confident.
Expert, Award-Winning Care
National Leader in Aortic Valve Surgery
AdventHealth Orlando is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s best hospitals for aortic valve surgery.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
AdventHealth Orlando is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a nationally rated leader in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.
Heal Your Heart With Support Groups and Rehab
Adjusting to a new lifestyle after heart surgery can feel overwhelming. But you’ve got this. We’ll support you with ongoing care practices, lifestyle tips and wellness programs. We’re here for you the whole way — to help you recover, maintain and feel whole.
Answering Your Heart Valve Replacement Questions
The more you know about your heart health, the more empowered you’ll be as you and your family journey toward wholeness. We’re here to answer some frequently asked questions about heart valve replacement surgery. Your care team will be happy to answer any questions you have throughout your treatment.
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Q:Question: Am I a candidate for minimally invasive valve replacement or TAVR?
A:Answer:When it comes to candidacy for minimally invasive valve replacement, the National Library of Medicine says roughly 85 to 90% of patients qualify. This often depends on a patient’s heart function, chest anatomy and other medical conditions.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerThere are multiple factors your care team will consider before deciding if you’re a good candidate for TAVR surgery. Our top cardiologists, interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons will work together to diagnose you and determine the best treatment possible. Historically, TAVR procedures were only suggested if you were considered high-risk for open-heart surgery. Today, TAVR is a viable solution for more people, including those at low and medium risk for open-heart surgery.
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Q:Question: What is the difference between minimally invasive valve replacement and open-heart surgery?
A:Answer:Minimally invasive valve replacement surgery allows our physicians to access your heart through small incisions in the chest without having to go through the breastbone. This results in less pain and a quicker recovery time.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerOn the other hand, open-heart surgery is more invasive, requiring a large incision down the middle of the chest to divide the breastbone to allow your surgeon direct access to your heart.
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Q:Question: What are the benefits and risks of a minimally invasive valve procedure?
A:Answer:Benefits of a minimally invasive valve procedure include smaller incisions, reduced risk of blood loss, infection and post-procedure pain, less scarring and a quicker recovery time.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerThe risks of a minimally invasive valve procedure include:
- Anesthesia complications
- Bleeding
- Blood clots that lead to stroke or heart attack
- Infection
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Pneumonia
Your specific risk factors depend on your condition, age and other factors. It’s best to talk with your doctor.
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Q:Question: How long is recovery after a minimally invasive valve replacement or TAVR?
A:Answer:Recovery after a minimally invasive valve replacement typically takes two to four weeks to return to daily activities and two to three months for a full recovery.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerFor patients who have had a TAVR procedure, they’re usually able to go home within one to two days of the procedure, and a full recovery can be expected around 30 days. Your doctor will likely ask you to wait at least two weeks before lifting any objects weighing more than 10 pounds. But overall, recovery times vary based on each patient’s overall health and condition.
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Q:Question: How long will the replacement valve last?
A:Answer:Biological heart valves can last between 10 and 20 years. Mechanical valves may last a lifetime and require you to take blood thinners. Biological valves are made from tissue, and mechanical valves are made from artificial parts. Talk with your doctor to determine which type is best for you.
Find Surgical Heart Care Near You
If heart surgery is the next step in your care plan, rest assured that you’ll find leading-edge options and uncommon compassion from our surgeons within our AdventHealth Cardiovascular Institute network. Our experienced teams excel in open-heart surgery, off-pump surgery and the latest minimally invasive procedures for faster healing — all coordinated through a trusted national network. Explore our locations or let our team guide you to the one that’s right for you.