Center for Structural Heart Care
Hunterdon Cardiovascular Associates (HCA) has established the Center for Structural Heart Care to treat patients with valvular heart disease and other structural heart defects. The center is led by Dr. Venkatesh Alapati, a fellowship-trained structural heart specialist.
We offer a full range of services for structural heart disease, including:
- Comprehensive personal consultation and evaluation
- Echocardiogram
- Cardiac CAT scan
- Cardiac MRI
- Cardiac catheterization
- Non-surgical and minimally invasive procedures such as TAVR, Mitral Clip (TEER) and PFO closure
- Referral to Cardiothoracic surgeons if necessary
- A clinical coordinator who will help organize testing
Signs and Symptoms
Valvular heart disease can develop quickly or slowly over time. In cases that develop gradually over time, symptoms may not appear until the disease is advanced.
Signs and symptoms of valvular heart disease include:
- Shortness of breath
- Pain or discomfort in the chest
- Fatigue
- Dizziness or fainting
- Irregular heart rate
- Swelling in legs
Treatment Options
Mild valvular heart disease may not require treatment and will only require continued surveillance.
Treatments for severe valvular heart disease include:
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive treatment for aortic stenosis (narrowing) where a diseased or damaged aortic valve is replaced with an aortic valve made from animal tissues.
- Patent Formen Ovale (PFO) closure is a procedure to close the hole between two heart chambers that can sometimes be the cause of a stroke.
- Mitral Clip (or TEER – transcatheter edge-to-edge repair) is a minimally invasive treatment to treat severe mitral regurgitation, a condition where the mitral valve fails to close properly, causing blood to leak backward into the heart. Mitral Clip works by clipping the two leaflets of the mitral valve together, reducing or eliminating the regurgitation.
- Surgery to repair or replace heart valves that are damaged or diseased.
Who Is a Candidate?
You may qualify for valvular heart disease treatment at the Center for Structural Heart Care at HCA if your disease is moderate to severe and you are experiencing symptoms that are affecting your quality of life. Most patients who are treated at our center are referred to us by another physician or come directly from HCA after being diagnosed by their cardiologist.
Contact our Center for Structural Heart Care coordinator to request an appointment if:
- Your symptoms are becoming worse.
- You are experiencing new symptoms.
- Your current treatment is not improving your symptoms.
Our Team
Dr. Venkatesh Alapati leads the Structural Heart Center at HCA. Dr. Alapati is a board-certified interventional cardiologist with additional fellowship training in Structural Heart Disease at the University of Miami Hospital, Miller School of Medicine in Miami, FL. He is dedicated to helping people with heart disease live longer and feel better.
Jennifer Munoz is a nurse practitioner at Hunterdon Cardiovascular Associates. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Seton Hall University in 1999, a Master of Science in Nursing at Rutgers University in 2006, and is board-certified as an Adult Care Nurse Practitioner. She obtained a second Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from The University of Arizona Global Campus. Jennifer has many years of experience as a nurse practitioner in both inpatient and outpatient cardiology, cardiac surgery, and structural heart care.
Deb Cortellesi is a certified medical assistant at HCA and our Structural Heart Care Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Siena College and a Master of Science from NJIT. She started her medical career as an EMT, volunteering with local fire/ambulance departments. With over thirty years of patient experience, Deb will coordinate your care as we navigate your cardiac needs. She will serve as your liaison between Hunterdon and Robert Wood Johnson and is available to answer your questions and assist you with any other needs along the way.
Hunterdon Cardiovascular Associates is committed to providing the highest quality of care in a patient-centered environment. Our offices are conveniently located in Flemington, Clinton, and Bridgewater. If you are experiencing symptoms of valvular heart disease, contact us today at (908) 788-1710 to request an appointment with Dr. Alapati or one of our providers.
