Structural & Congenital Heart Disease: Computer simulations | When TAVR fails | New polymer heart valve

Overall, the simulations inspired clinicians to change part of the treatment plan for 16 of 42 patients.  

The overall procedural technical success rate, researchers reported, was 96.8%.

The model sits at approximately 1.5 cm long and offers researchers a new way to observe the heart in motion.

The mortality rate was 17% for patients undergoing SAVR following a failed TAVR. 

CMS has proposed expanding its national coverage policy for transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve so that it includes patients with functional mitral regurgitation. 

The artificial valve would give clinicians a new option that lasts up to 25 years and does not require prescribing anticoagulation medications.

Infective endocarditis is a relatively rare complication of TAVR, but the infection can be fatal when it does strike.