Cath Lab

The cardiac catheterization laboratory is used for diagnostic angiograms and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Cath labs have also seen expanding use in recent years for transcatheter structural heart procedures. Some hospitals also share these labs with other subspecialties for catheter-based procedures in electrophysiology (EP), interventional radiology, peripheral artery disease (PAD), carotid and neuro interventional procedures and vascular surgery.

PCI

P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after PCI similar to prolonged DAPT, new 3-year analysis confirms

Researchers have shared an updated analysis of the SMART-CHOICE study, focusing on major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events—as well as bleeding events—among PCI patients after three years. 

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Preventing AKI after TAVR may help lessen the impact of chronic kidney disease

If researchers can find ways to prevent AKI after TAVR, it could help decrease the risk of poor outcomes in more ways than one. 

A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. These structural heart procedures require a team approach.

Earlier interventions may boost survival when TAVR patients experience a stroke

New research in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions suggests improved collaborations between cardiologists and neurologists could help TAVR patients live longer after a periprocedural stroke. 

Impella Heart Pump Abiomed RECOVER IV RCT cardiogenic shock

Impella heart pumps boost survival up to 81% for cardiogenic shock patients

The heart pumps appear to provide significant benefits for patients with acute myocardial infarction- or myocarditis-related cardiogenic shock. 

Example of QFR technology, which uses a rotation of the C-arm around the patient to create a 3D model and a color coded map showing the FFR values and drops in blood flow.

FFR-angiography guided lesion selection for PCI improves two-year outcomes in TCT late-breaker

Two-year outcomes of a QFR-guided vessel and lesion selection strategy showed that the benefits of QFR guidance continued to accrue over time compared with standard angiography guidance in patients undergoing PCI.

The Medtronic Intrepid transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) system performed well in two studies presendted at TCT 2022. #TCT #TCT22 #TCT2022 #TMVR

Intrepid transcatheter mitral valve pilot study shows positive 3-year outcomes

New data on the Medtronic Intrepid transcatheter mitral valve replacement system from the Intrepid Pilot Study and Intermediate-Term Outcomes of the Intrepid Early Feasibility Study, were presented at the 2022 Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) conference.

Impella Heart Pump Abiomed RECOVER IV RCT cardiogenic shock

Regulatory Roundup: FDA clears AI model for RV/LV ratios, approves calcium-blocking TAVR valve and much more

Read our review of some of the biggest FDA-related stories that have hit cardiology in the last month, including news from Viz.ai, Edwards Lifesciences, Abiomed and Medtronic. 

Cardiac CT comparable to invasive angiography when assessing stable chest pain, new meta-analysis confirms

Researchers examined data from nearly 5,400 patients, tracking such outcomes as myocardial infarction, stroke and all-cause mortality. 

Around the web

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

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