Interventional Cardiology

This cardiac subspecialty uses minimally invasive, catheter-based technologies in a cath lab to diagnose and treat coronary artery disease (CAD). The main focus in on percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) to revascularize patients with CAD that is causing blockages resulting in ischemia or myocardial infarction. PCI mainly consists of angioplasty and implanting stents. Interventional cardiology has greatly expanded in scope over recent years to include a number of transcatheter structural heart interventions.

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CABG, TAVR top list of most lucrative heart procedures for hospitals

Other procedures are associated with higher profits—heart transplants, for instance—but CABG and TAVR are performed much more often.

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Cardiologists recommend AVR for asymptomatic severe AS—TAVR and surgery both viable options

A trio of leading voices in cardiology reviewed years of data while considering their proposal. The choice between TAVR and SAVR, they added, should be made on a case-by-case basis.

Johnson & Johnson MedTech has launched a new next-generation catheter to be used when treating acute ischemic stroke patients. The Cereglide 92 Catheter System includes a 0.92” catheter as well as the company’s Innerglide 9 deliver aid.

Johnson & Johnson MedTech launches new large-bore catheter system for stroke

The next-generation catheter was designed to help clinicians restore blood flow safely and effectively after patients have experienced an acute ischemic stroke. 

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Use of biolimus-coated balloons during PCI not as effective as paclitaxel devices

Researchers tracked data from more than 200 patients who underwent PCI from August 2020 to July 2022, sharing their findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

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Interventional heart failure: An evolving cardiology subspecialty with a bright future

IHF cardiologists can come from a variety of backgrounds, but they all share the same goal: to ensure complex heart failure patients receive the best care possible. 

Figure from the new ASE guideline for ultrasound guided vascular access, showing vessel and probe orientation on the transverse plane short axis (SAX) view perpendicular to the vessels, or in longitudinal long axis plane (LAX) coaxial to the vessels. Image courtesy of ASE

ASE shares new guidelines for ultrasound-guided vascular access

The American Society of Echocardiography included descriptions, diagrams and ultrasound images in the new document to make it as helpful as possible. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shared a new warning about ongoing safety issues with atherectomy devices sold and distributed by Bard Peripheral Vascular, an Arizona-based subsidiary of Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD). The warning includes multiple models of Bard Peripheral Vascular’s Rotarex Atherectomy System, which is designed to target high-risk plaques and blood clots in the peripheral arteries by rotating at a high speed.

FDA warns that atherectomy devices are breaking during use—30 serious injuries, 4 deaths reported

More than 100 incidents have been reported so far. The FDA is still evaluating this issue, but the agency wanted to raise awareness as quickly as possible.

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TAVR patients admitted on weekend face greater risk of death, complications

The so-called "weekend effect" seen with other cardiovascular diseases appears to exist for patients with severe aortic stenosis as well. 

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