At Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, research and innovation is at the core of treatments for structural heart disease and congenital heart defects. With clinical research as a key part of our program, we make sure our patients have access to the latest and most effective therapies available today.

When you come to Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, we find the least invasive approach to effectively treat your condition. Whether you have a disorder you were born with or have developed a condition over time that has weakened your heart, our goal is to provide a treatment that can improve your quality of life and long-term survival.

What type of structural heart conditions or defects are treated at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute?

Our team has expertise in treating all types of anomalies that affect the structure of the heart muscle and its function. These may be caused by birth defects, infections, heart failure, high blood pressure, or damage caused by a heart attack. At Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, we treat:

  • Heart valve diseases
  • Mitral valve prolapse
  • Pulmonary valve stenosis
  • Left atrial septal defect (ASD)
  • Patent foramen ovale (PFO)

How are structural heart conditions or defects diagnosed?

Our team uses sophisticated diagnostic heart testing to determine whether you have structural heart disease or a congenital heart defect. Some of the tests we use include advanced cardiac computed tomography (CT) scans and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

How are structural heart disease and congenital heart defects treated at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute?

When treating heart structure problems, we focus on using minimally invasive treatments as much as possible. In our dedicated “hybrid” room, we can perform open-heart surgery, examine heart structures with advanced imaging tests and administer minimally invasive transcatheter therapies. Our patients have access to whatever treatment they may need in one setting.

Treatments may include:

  • Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
  • Mitral clip (transcatheter mitral valve repair)
  • Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (MVR)
  • Left Atrial appendage closure
  • Valve implants
  • Left ventrical remodeling
  • Interventional therapies for congestive heart failure with preserved left ventrical systolic function

Interventional cardiologists performing these treatments use the Philips EchoNavigator to help them better visualize the structures of the heart. This innovative platform fuses X-ray and echocardiography images onto one screen to help guide the interventionalist during procedures and device placement.

The attention at Baptist Health was excellent,” he recalls. “I would not have gotten that kind of treatment anywhere else. Dr. Quesada and his team have a desire to help. You feel that when you meet him. He’s very warm and you can tell his goal is to heal.
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Our Approach

Our Approach

When you come to Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute for treatment of your structural heart disease or congenital heart defect, you can expect:

  • Innovative treatments that may not be available at other hospitals in Florida.
  • A commitment to research and development of new treatments to improve care and patient outcomes. 
  • A focus on using minimally invasive treatment options whenever possible.
  • An integrated approach toward your care, as we bring together a team of cardiovascular specialists with a wide range of expertise to decide the best treatment for you.

Who benefits from this program?

When you come to Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute for treatment of structural heart disease or congenital heart defects, you will find a compassionate team of specialists dedicated to developing a personalized treatment plan based on your specific diagnosis. You may benefit from this program if you:

  • Have been diagnosed with a structural heart problem caused by an infection, heart failure, high blood pressure or heart attack.
  • Are not a candidate for open surgery and require a minimally invasive therapy to treat your structural heart disease.
  • Have been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect as an adult.
  • Have a congenital heart defect that requires new or ongoing treatment

Meet The Team

Our team includes a diverse group of cardiovascular specialists, including interventional structural cardiologists, clinical cardiologists, structural imaging specialists and cardiac surgeons. We also have nurse practitioners and physician assistants who regularly see patients.

Structural heart disease and congenital heart defect clinical trials

We have been involved with many groundbreaking clinical trials for structural heart disease and defects, including research involving WATCHMAN implant devices for left atrial appendage closures and the mitral clip for transcatheter mitral valve repair. We are participating in trials involving new devices for left atrial appendage closure. This dedication to innovation allows us to give our patients access to the latest technology and treatments, helping them live healthier lives.
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