TAVR bests SAVR in terms of valve performance | Cardiology groups urge Congress to ‘take a stand’ | Updated SMART data

TAVR is associated with a significantly lower risk of bioprosthetic valve dysfunction than SAVR, according to new data presented at CRT 2025 and simultaneously published in JACC. 

A new spending proposal that would extend government funding for another seven months does not address the Medicare payment cut that went into effect on Jan. 1. More than 100 healthcare groups, including the ACC, STS, SCCT and SCAI, are now voicing their disappointment. 

Researchers presented new two-year data from the SMART trial at CRT 2025 in Washington, D.C. Overall, self-expanding TAVR valves continue to show superior valve performance compared to balloon-expandable valves, and clinical outcomes remain comparable.

Two separate groups have published new research comparing early AVR with clinical surveillance for the treatment of asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Overall, the two groups found, early treatment was associated with multiple benefits—and no added risk of harm.

SCAI President James Hermiller, Jr., MD, explains the need for more innovative radiation protection systems in the cath lab.

The new guidelines were designed to ensure sonographers and other members of the heart team have the information they need to screen patients when appropriate and identify early warnings signs of PH. 

These safety issues have been linked to more than 800 injuries and two deaths. It is possible, the FDA warned, that some patients may require a device to be removed and replaced. 

Lipoprotein (a) research is on the rise in recent years. Deepak Bhatt, MD, director of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, explains why this trend is so important.

The baby had been diagnosed with an especially challenging case of hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Kevin Kadakia, MD, MBA, and Tarang Patel, DO, officially announced the rollout of Radiology One March 1 with a team of 25-plus rads. 

Tasha Saunders, 44, pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicaid in a scheme that involved creating fake patient records and forging the signatures of unwitting providers at a psychiatric rehabilitation center.