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.

Howard Herrmann, MD, University of Pennsylvania, explains details of the SMART Trial 2-year results at CRT 2025, where Evolut performed better hemodynamically than the Sapien 3 TAVR valve in small annuli patients. The study included 87% women.

SMART 2-year TAVR hemodynamic data: Medtronic Evolut is better compared to Edwards Sapien in small annulus patients

Sponsored by Medtronic

Howard Herrmann, MD,  MSCAI, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and lead invesigator for the SMART trial, explains details on the 2-year data comparing the Evolut vs. Sapien 3 for TAVR in small annulus patients.

homeless teenager

Food insecurity increases risk of poor heart health in young adults

Food insecurity—lacking consistent access to the food needed to live an “active, healthy lifestyle”—impacts up to one in eight Americans each year. 

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

TAVR or TAVI? Cardiologists want a single acronym for the popular heart procedure

Clinicians are asking the world's medical societies to come together and agree on one acronym for TAVR/TAVI to avoid unnecessary confusion going forward.

doctor Egypt Africa stethoscope

TAVR in Africa linked to high success rate, but above-average risks

TAVR adoption in Africa has been relatively slow, but cardiologists throughout the continent have made considerable progress. New data does show that there is some work to be done before outcomes will rival what is seen in many other parts of the world.

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TAVR linked to stronger valve performance than SAVR in new 5-year study

TAVR is associated with a significantly lower risk of bioprosthetic valve dysfunction than SAVR, according to new data presented at CRT 2025 and simultaneously published in JACC

Medtronic's Evolut FX TAVR valve, designed with 3 golden markers that improve alignment

Self-expanding TAVR valves still linked to superior durability in patients with small annuli after 2 years

Researchers presented new two-year data from the SMART trial at CRT 2025 in Washington, D.C. Overall, self-expanding TAVR valves continue to show superior valve performance compared to balloon-expandable valves, and clinical outcomes remain comparable.

cardiologists heart doctors

Cardiologists agree: Early TAVR or SAVR for asymptomatic severe AS limits strokes, hospitalizations

Two separate groups have published new research comparing early AVR with clinical surveillance for the treatment of asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Overall, the two groups found, early treatment was associated with multiple benefits—and no added risk of harm.

SCAI President James Hermiller, MD, discusses the need for more better radiation protection in the cath lab#SCAI #CathLab, #RadiationExposure #cardiology

SCAI leaders 'on a mission' to improve cath lab protection from radiation, orthopedic injury

SCAI President James Hermiller, Jr., MD, explains the need for more innovative radiation protection systems in the cath lab.

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