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Structural Heart Program

Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the heart valves don't work properly because of calcification or leaking. Many times the heart produces a murmur as the blood is forced through the damaged valve. 

Symptoms typically occur when the valve is severely diseased, and include shortness of breath with minimal activity, fatigue, chest pain, dizziness, and fainting. If left untreated, heart valve disease can reduce a person's quality of life and become life-threatening.

Structural Heart Program at St. Luke's
Our cardiology experts collaborate closely as a "Heart Team" to diagnose, treat, and manage structural heart conditions such as aortic and mitral stenosis, pericardial disease, valvular heart disease, mitral regurgitation and congenital heart disease. We prioritize minimally invasive treatment options when appropriate for your condition. Specialists including interventional cardiologists, imaging experts (interventional echocardiographers and cardiothoracic radiologists), and cardiovascular surgeons are supported by specially trained procedural staff, nurses, and medical assistants. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to offer comprehensive care to ensure your best health and quality of life.

We see patients with structural heart disease at St. Luke’s Clinic – Idaho Cardiology Associates in Boise.

Program Overview

  • Video

    Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Video

  • Video

    St. Luke’s and Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (TMVR)

Procedural Expertise

  • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

    TAVR is an alternative to traditional surgical aortic valve replacement if you have severe aortic valve stenosis. This procedure allows the replacement of your diseased aortic valve without open heart surgery. 

  • Interventional Cardiology

    Our expertise includes transcatheter mitral valve repair (MitraClip™), aortic valvuloplasty, atrial septal defect closure (ASD), left atrial appendage occlusion, ventricular septal defect closure (VSD), treatment of aortic coarctation, and patent foramen ovale closure (PFO).

  • Surgical Procedures

    We also specialize in surgeries such as surgical aortic valve replacement or mitral valve replacement or repair.

  • Imaging

    Non-invasive imaging in our nationally accredited imaging labs may include: 2- and 3-dimensional echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac MRI, cardiac CT scan, nuclear imaging, carotid imaging, and/or pulmonary function testing.

Providers

  • Interventional Cardiology

    Biography

    David Coyle, MD is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. He is board certified in cardiovascular diseases, interventional cardiology, and echocardiography.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
  • Interventional Cardiology

    Biography

    Robert L. Duerr, MD, FACC is an interventional cardiologist specializing in transcatheter valve replacement and repair. These procedures allow the correction of cardiac conditions without the need for open heart surgery, meaning that patients typically require a shorter hospital stay and experience a faster recovery. Dr. Duerr focuses on determining an appropriate and customized treatment plan for each patient. His goals are to restore health and help patients return to their normal lives as soon as possible.

    Years ago, Dr. Duerr started the first structural heart program in the Treasure Valley and implanted the first transcatheter heart valve in Boise. He currently serves as medical director for St. Luke's Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Structural Heart program. He is also a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and governor-elect of their Idaho chapter.

    Prior to his medical education, Dr. Duerr completed bachelor's degrees in chemistry and biology at the University of California, Berkeley. After graduating from Harvard Medical School, he trained at the University of Chicago, New York University, the University of San Diego California and the Cleveland Clinic. He recently completed a master's degree in finance at Harvard University.

    In his free time, Dr. Duerr enjoys golfing, skiing, mountain biking and spending time with his family.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
  • General Cardiology

    Biography

    Shannon McConnaughey, MD is a general cardiologist with a clinical focus on valvular heart disease and structural interventional imaging. She also partners with the adult congenital heart disease clinic to provide care for adults who were born with cardiac abnormalities. Dr. McConnaughey serves as the director for non-invasive cardiac imaging.

    Prior to moving to Boise, Dr. McConnaughey lived in Seattle where she completed her residency, chief residency, and fellowship at the University of Washington. She earned her undergraduate degrees in biology, mathematics, and classical studies from Vanderbilt University. She enjoys exploring the mountains with her family in all seasons, but particularly on a snowboard.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
    • St. Luke's Health Partner
      St. Luke's Health Partner

      These providers work together to achieve patient-centered care, using proven best practices to offer better care to you and your family.

    • Specialties, Conditions & Treatments

  • Cardiac Surgery

    Biography

    Andrew Mesher, MD specializes in the surgical and endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic disease, aortic valve and aortic root surgery, mitral valve repair, coronary artery bypass grafting, and extracorporeal life support (ECMO).

    Prior to his medical education, Dr. Mesher earned his bachelor’s degree in biomechanical engineering from Stanford University.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
    • St. Luke's Health Partner
      St. Luke's Health Partner

      These providers work together to achieve patient-centered care, using proven best practices to offer better care to you and your family.

    • Specialties, Conditions & Treatments

Additional Support

  • Follow-up and Family Support

    Comprehensive education for patients and families begins at the first visit and continues through discharge and follow-up. Cardiovascular rehabilitation is also available through St. Luke’s nationally accredited cardiovascular rehabilitation program.

  • Lifestyle Medicine

    Achieving good health is about more than fixing problems after they appear. Quality of health often begins with the choices we make every day for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Those choices are at the center of lifestyle medicine.

Trusted Resources

Trusted Resources

The American Heart Association (AHA) is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and helping families and communities thrive. Through their website, the AHA offers extensive information about a wide variety of cardiac conditions and treatments. 

Our team trusts the resources provided by the American Heart Association and we encourage you to explore their site. 

Related Information

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  • Article

    Aortic Valve Stenosis

  • Article

    Mitral Valve Stenosis