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Structural Heart & Valve Program

Boulder Heart’s Structural Heart & Valve Program is led by Dr. Srinivas Iyengar, a highly experienced interventional cardiologist who has successfully performed the most innovative, minimally-invasive procedures available to treat valvular heart conditions such as severe aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation and patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure, as well as helping reduce stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients who cannot tolerate blood thinning medications.

Within the last decade, there has been a revolution in repairing and replacing heart valves.

“We now have the capability to address serious internal cardiac issues with minimally invasive techniques,” says Dr. Iyengar. “The results with certain procedures are now equivalent to, if not better than, traditional surgical treatment.”

BCH offers a complete range of cardiology services at our four Boulder Heart clinics, conveniently located across Boulder County in Boulder, Lafayette, Erie & Longmont. To learn more about our treatments for valve disease or to make an appointment, please call 303-442-2395.

Media relating to Dr. Iyengar and the Structural Heart & Valve Program

Video: "Latest Treatments for Heart Valve Problems" Lecture

Video: Patient testimonials for Dr. Iyengar and the TAVR procedure.

Video: Dr. Iyengar on Heart Murmurs

Article: "Dr. Iyengar on 'Revolutionary' Heart Valve Repair and Replacement"

What is Heart Valve Disease?

valve disorder Heart valve disease occurs when a valve becomes damaged, and there are four heart valves that keep blood flowing through the heart in the proper direction. Two main issues – regurgitation and stenosis – can happen with the heart’s four valves – typically the mitral and aortic valves.

Symptoms of Heart Valve Disease

Valve disorders can limit the heart’s ability to pump blood to the body and lead to arrhythmias, heart murmurs, heart failure or other serious conditions. Because symptoms like shallow breathing and fatigue tend to slowly worsen over time, people with a valve disorder often mistake those important warning signs for normal aging. Shortness of breath and dizziness can also make it hard to do what you love. Our specialized cardiology team offers a comprehensive range of the latest tests and treatments to help you get your life back.

Medicines can help manage heart valve disease, but the only cure is replacing the diseased valve.

Diagnosing Valve Disease

If you have a heart murmur or irregular heartbeat, your doctor can order tests to determine whether it’s caused by a heart valve problem. The first test generally is an echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart.

Treatments for Heart Valve Disease

Medication can help to manage heart valve disease, but the only cure is replacing the diseased valve. If you have a mitral regurgitation that starts to progress, it will eventually lead to heart failure. For those with severe aortic stenosis, the survival rate is low when left untreated. According to Dr. Iyengar, survival is only 50 percent at two years after the onset of symptoms and 20 percent at five years without treatment.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): A minimally-invasive, catheter-delivered, FDA-approved procedure to replace damaged aortic valves to boost blood flow, allowing patients to enjoy longer lives and a return to favorite activities. TAVR is available for patients diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve) who are younger and active, as well as those whose age or physical condition disqualify them from having open heart surgery. BCH's Boulder Heart is the only cardiology program in Boulder County performing TAVR. BCH’s Foothills Hospital is the first facility in Colorado (full market release) to offer this latest technology to treat symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (ssAS) for patients across all risk categories (extreme, high, intermediate and low). In June 2024, BCH treated its first patient using the Evolut™ FX+ transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system. Foothills Hospital was the first facility in Colorado (full market release) and a four-state region to offer this latest technology to treat symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (ssAS) for patients across all risk categories (extreme, high, intermediate and low). BCH was also t the forefront of transformation in Oct. 2022 when our Structural Heart team launched the Medtronic Evolut™ FX transcatheter aortic valve system – which at the time was the newest, innovative technology available for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis patients across all risk categories.

WATCHMAN: This FDA-approved implant effectively reduces stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) that’s not caused by a heart valve problem. A one-time, minimally invasive procedure, WATCHMAN is a permanent implant that closes off the left atrial appendage, where most stroke-causing blood clots form. The Boulder Heart team is proud to offer patients the latest in WATCHMAN technology - the WATCHMAN FLX Pro™ Device, a next-generation, updated design with three new features to advance performance and safety and ensure the best long-term outcomes. Dr. Iyengar, the highest volume interventional cardiologist in Colorado implanting WATCHMAN, also has a 100% success rate for WATCHMAN implantation. In addition, BCH's Foothills Hospital in Feb. 2024 was the first hospital in Colorado (full market release) to offer patients WATCHMAN FLX Pro™.

MitraClip® Therapy: Works in conjunction with TMVr, which is a minimally invasive procedure used when a patient is too sick or has another medical condition prohibiting them from undergoing the traditional mitral valve surgery. This procedure doesn’t require opening the chest or stopping the heart during treatment, making it a safer alternative for those unfit for open heart surgery.

PFO/ASD Closure: Approximately 20 percent of people have an opening between the two upper chambers of the heart that never closed at birth. This is called a “patent foramen ovale” or “PFO.” There can also be a larger opening known as an “Atrial Septal Defect” or “ASD.” In rare cases, these openings can result in stroke. These openings can be permanently closed, non-surgically, with a PFO closure device.

Valvuloplasty: During this procedure, a cardiologist uses a catheter to place a small balloon inside a constricted heart valve. Inflating the balloon expands the valve, restoring normal blood flow.

Foothills Hospital is the only facility in Boulder County providing TAVR and WATCHMAN.

Why Choose Dr. Iyengar and Boulder Heart

At Boulder Heart, our team takes care of everything from general cardiology prevention to specialized care in coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation (AFib), structural heart valve disease, heart failure (CHF) and more. Beyond medication management and heart-healthy lifestyle guidance, our team provides innovative treatments from minimally-invasive catheter and robotic-assisted procedures to complex open-heart surgeries performed by some of the most respected, experienced physicians and surgeons in Colorado and a multi-state region.

Dr. Srinivas Iyengar, a board-certified cardiologist, is the Structural Heart Director at BCH’s Boulder Heart. Before Dr. Iyengar helped launch the Structural Heart program at BCH, he successfully created multiple structural heart programs in Florida.

Considered an expert in the field of structural cardiology, Dr. Iyengar speaks at multiple national medical meetings in this area, is a national proctor for the Evolut TAVR valve and Watchman LAA occlusion device, and is actively involved in physician training.

Dr. Iyengar’s patients are also cared for by Pamela Pierce, RN, MS - Structural Heart and TAVR Coordinator. Since earning her nursing degree in 1997, Pamela’s primary nursing focus has always been within cardiology. As the Structural Heart Coordinator, she draws upon her nursing and teaching experience to closely work with patients and families to support and guide them in all areas of Structural Heart procedures: from referral to the post-operative period.

Click here to watch patient testimonials for Dr. Iyengar and the TAVR procedure.

Make an Appointment Today

The highly experienced cardiologists and surgeons at BCH build lasting personal relationships with each patient. We listen to you, we know your history, and we partner with your other medical providers to provide the right cardiac care at the right time.

To find out if a structural heart procedure is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Iyengar by calling 303-442-2395.