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.

Aortic valve calcium scores help predict need for a permanent pacemaker after TAVR
RBBB remains the single strongest predictor for PPMI after TAVR, but high AV calcium scores still provide care teams with considerable value.
Diabetes reduces survival after SAVR, but not TAVR
"TAVR has been associated with better valve hemodynamics and a lower risk of structural valve deterioration over time compared with SAVR," researchers wrote. "This benefit may be particularly relevant for diabetes patients who face higher risks of vascular complications."
Imaging specialist Rebecca Hahn explores key details about the Evoque TTVR device
Rebecca Hahn, MD, discussed key takeaways from the TRISCEND II trial for the Edwards Lifesciences Evoque TTVR valve and shared additional details related to patient selection and implanting the device.
Black, rural and low-income PAD patients are less likely to receive high-quality care
"This research should be a call to health systems, policymakers and other stakeholders to make it easier for patients—especially the most vulnerable patients—to access PAD-specific care," one cardiologist explained.
FDA announces another recall for surgical devices over safety concerns—7 new injuries reported
Maquet Cardiovascular, a subsidiary of Getinge, is recalling two of its endoscopic vessel harvesting devices due to issues with different pieces bending, peeling or detaching during use. Some of the company's other EVH devices were recently involved in a separate recall for similar reasons.

healthcare value value-based care money dollar

Boston Scientific enters IVL arms race with acquisition worth up to $664M

Boston Scientific has agreed to acquire Bolt Medical, a California-based medical device company focused on developing new intravascular lithotripsy technologies. The news comes less than one year after Johnson & Johnson acquired IVL pioneers Shockwave Medical for $13 billion.

Alleviant Medical, a Texas-based medical device company, has received the FDA’s breakthrough device designation and an investigational device exemption (IDE) for its new atrial shunt that treats heart failure without leaving a permanent implant in the body.

FDA sees value in no-implant heart failure device

The new atrial shunt from Alleviant Medical was designed to treat heart failure without leaving a permanent implant behind. The FDA granted the technology its breakthrough device designation and approved additional research.

Radial secondary access during TAVR limits complications

Radial access is already the primary choice for many cardiologists performing PCI due to a lower risk of complications. The same appears to be true for secondary access during TAVR.

Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) with Medtronic’s self-expanding Harmony valve is both safe and effective after more than a year, according to new real-world data published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.[1]

Medtronic’s Harmony TPVR system gains CE mark approval

The FDA-approved Harmony TPVR system is now available to patients across the EU. Nina Goodheart, president of Medtronic’s structural heart and aortic business, described the news as a "significant milestone."

From left to right: Sunita Ferns, MD; Mark Plunkett, MD; Harma Turbendian, MD. Images courtesy of OSF Healthcare.

History made: Young child treated with new heart device for very first time

A care team in Illinois has performed the first heart procedure of its kind on a two-year-old patient diagnosed with Brugada syndrome.

‘A victory for TAVR’: How treatment impacts elderly patients in their last year of life

New research out of Denmark explored how undergoing TAVR may or may not influence the final year of a patient's life.

Top videos on the Cardiovascular Business website about new cardiovascular trends and technologies in 2024.

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Radiology Business

Key takeaways from RSNA 2024 for AI, CT, MRI and the radiology staffing shortage

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.

Health Imaging

Use of AI opportunistic screening in CT for cardiovascular disease

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

Interventional Cardiology

Aortic valve calcium scores help predict need for a permanent pacemaker after TAVR

Diabetes reduces survival after SAVR, but not TAVR

Imaging specialist Rebecca Hahn explores key details about the Evoque TTVR device

Black, rural and low-income PAD patients are less likely to receive high-quality care

FDA announces another recall for surgical devices over safety concerns—7 new injuries reported

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