New drug could limit need for TAVR, SAVR | Key tricuspid valve trends | FDA OKs another ATTR-CM therapy | Abbott's IVL move

The drug in question, ataciguat, could help heart patients avoid aortic valve replacement—or at least put it off until later in life.

Steven Bolling, MD, noted that tricuspid treatments have been linked to consistent benefits in terms of quality of life. However, he said, finding clear improvements in clinical outcomes has been more challenging.

The subcutaneous drug, sold under the brand name Amvuttra, joins an ATTR-CM market that already includes Pfizer’s tafamidis (Vyndaqel, Vyndamax) and BridgeBio’s acoramidis (Attruby).

Abbott has received an investigational device exemption from the FDA for a new clinical trial evaluating the safety and effectiveness of using its coronary IVL technology. The trial is expected to enroll up to 335 U.S. patients.

CMS will cover TTVR for the treatment of symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation on a national level. The agency first proposed such a policy in December, taking time to consider public comments before finalizing its decision.

Advancements in radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation technology have been incremental over the past 30 years in efforts to improve safety, procedural efficiency and patient outcomes. While some newer technologies have gained a lot of attention in electrophysiology (EP) over the past several years, RF remains the solid frontline treatment.

Laxmi Mehta, MD, detailed several ways she and her colleagues at The Ohio State University are working to combat the rising levels of burnout among cardiologists.

The FDA shared a warning about these safety issues in February, but said it was still reviewing the evidence. The agency is now saying the devices “may cause serious injury or death” if used without following the updated instructions for use.

Researchers tracked three years of CMS data to explore how meal-based marketing may influence the habits of general and advanced heart failure cardiologists.

A Florida family is suing Mayo Clinic for allegedly performing a heart transplant without communicating certain risks associated with the donated organ. Mayo Clinic has pushed back against those claims, saying it acted appropriately every step of the way. 

The donor-derived cell-free DNA tests from CareDx are designed to limit the use of surveillance biopsies and other more invasive treatment options. These tests have been available for adult patients for years now.

CDC data shows that mortality from heart failure-related cardiac arrest has decreased significantly in the last 25 years. However, researchers noted, care teams still have considerable work to do.

A new analysis calls into question the use of imaging alone to determine the efficacy of ablative radiation therapy. 

The new rule was expected to go into effect on March 21 and would have expanded prescribing practices for buprenorphine, a non-opioid painkiller used to treat addiction.