Structural Heart & Valve Procedures in New Jersey
Minimally invasive, catheter-based treatment of structural heart and valve disease — performed with a dedicated heart team. Offered by Dr. Sankalp Pathak, MD, FACC, a board-certified interventional cardiologist.
What Is Structural Heart Disease?
Structural heart disease refers to problems with the heart's valves, walls, and chambers — including narrowed or leaking valves, holes between chambers, and other defects that affect how blood moves through the heart. Many of these conditions can now be treated without open-heart surgery, using thin catheters guided to the heart through a small puncture in a blood vessel. For patients who are higher-risk for traditional surgery, these minimally invasive options can mean a safer procedure and a faster recovery.
Procedures We Offer
Aortic Valve
TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) replaces a severely narrowed aortic valve (aortic stenosis) with a new valve delivered by catheter, avoiding open-heart surgery. Balloon valvuloplasty uses a balloon to open a narrowed valve and improve blood flow, and is sometimes used as a bridge to valve replacement.
Mitral Valve
MitraClip / TEER (Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair) treats a leaking mitral valve (mitral regurgitation) by clipping the valve leaflets together to reduce backflow. TMVR (Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement) replaces the mitral valve by catheter for select patients with severe disease.
Tricuspid Valve
TriClip / Tricuspid TEER repairs a leaking tricuspid valve (tricuspid regurgitation) using the same edge-to-edge clipping approach, offering a minimally invasive option where surgery carries higher risk.
Stroke Prevention & Defect Closure
WATCHMAN (left atrial appendage closure) is a one-time implant that lowers stroke risk in atrial fibrillation and can reduce or remove the need for long-term blood thinners. PFO / ASD closure seals a patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defect — a hole between the heart's upper chambers — often to lower stroke risk.
Prosthetic Valve Repair
Paravalvular leak closure seals a leak that can develop around a previously implanted prosthetic (replacement) valve, helping patients avoid a repeat open-heart operation.
Why You Might Be Referred
Dr. Pathak may evaluate you for a structural procedure if you have:
- Severe aortic stenosis or a leaking mitral or tricuspid valve
- Atrial fibrillation with bleeding risk or difficulty tolerating blood thinners
- A PFO or ASD, sometimes discovered after an unexplained stroke
- A leak around an existing prosthetic valve
- Been told you are higher-risk for open-heart surgery
What to Expect
Before
Structural procedures begin with a careful evaluation — imaging such as echocardiography and CT, a review of your history, and a discussion of whether a catheter-based option is right for you. You'll receive specific instructions about medications and fasting.
During
The procedure is performed in a hospital cardiac catheterization lab by a dedicated heart team. Working through a small access point — usually in the groin — Dr. Pathak guides the catheter to the heart under live imaging to repair the valve, place the device, or close the defect. Many patients are sedated rather than under general anesthesia.
After
Because these procedures are catheter-based, recovery is typically faster than open surgery. You'll be monitored in the hospital, and Dr. Pathak reviews your results and follow-up plan — including any medication changes — before you return to his care at our offices.
Structural Heart Care at MyCardioVascular Clinic
Dr. Pathak provides structural heart consultation and follow-up across our New Jersey offices, with procedures performed at affiliated hospitals. Find the location nearest you →
Frequently Asked Questions
Are structural heart procedures open-heart surgery?
No. These are minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures performed through small access points rather than opening the chest, which generally means less pain and a faster recovery than traditional open-heart surgery.
Where are these procedures performed?
Consultations and follow-up care take place at our New Jersey offices, while the procedures themselves are performed in a hospital cardiac catheterization lab with a dedicated heart team.
What is the WATCHMAN device?
WATCHMAN is a one-time implant that closes off the left atrial appendage to lower stroke risk in atrial fibrillation, offering an alternative to lifelong blood thinners for eligible patients.
How long is recovery after a structural heart procedure?
Recovery varies by procedure, but because these are catheter-based, many patients go home within a day or two and return to normal activity far sooner than after open surgery. Dr. Pathak reviews your individual recovery plan with you.
This page is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult Dr. Pathak or a qualified provider about your specific condition.
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