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.

Cardiologists reflect on developing primary PCI in face of criticism and pushback
SCAI celebrated cardiologists William W. O'Neill, MD, and Cindy L. Grines, MD, for the important roles they played in the development of primary PCI. “It was challenging,” Grines explained. “We had the pharmaceutical industry that was anti-primary angioplasty and we had a lot of our own colleagues that were anti-primary angioplasty."
How TAVR valve choice impacts outcomes when treating type 1 bicuspid AS
Self-expanding and balloon-expandable TAVR valves are associated with comparable success rates and one-year outcomes when treating type 1 bicuspid aortic stenosis. However, each valve type comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.
IVUS-guided PCI reduces risks in patients with diabetes
PCI can be more challenging in high-risk patients presenting with diabetes and ACS. IVUS guidance was associated with improved outcomes among these patients compared to angiography guidance alone.
Medtronic using AI to identify more TAVR patients in need
Medtronic has launched new research into AI's potential to identify patients with severe aortic stenosis and other worrying symptoms. The company hopes to overcome longstanding health disparities and reach individuals who may otherwise go untreated.
SAVR linked to higher 10-year survival rate than TAVR for low-risk patients
TAVR patients in this study were treated with early-generation devices that have since been updated, but researchers still believe their data are relevant to today's care teams.

Experts recommend NOAC, clopidogrel for most AFib patients undergoing PCI

A new North American consensus statement published July 30 in Circulation recommends a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) and the P2Y12 inhibitor clopidogrel for most patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing PCI.

August 3, 2018

Specialized surgical staff for CABG improves mortality rates, reduces complications

Patients who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have shorter operations, fewer complications and better survival rates if they have surgeons who are subspecialized in CABG, researchers report in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

July 27, 2018

Abbott announces pivotal trial for its mitral valve replacement system

Abbott announced it will conduct a pivotal clinical study in the U.S. of its Tendyne Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) system, for the treatment of mitral regurgitation (MR).

July 26, 2018

Stroke rates higher after CABG than PCI—but only in first 30 days

Stroke rates are higher in the first 30 days after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) than percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) but are similar thereafter, according to a pooled analysis of 11 randomized trials published July 16 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

July 24, 2018

Frailty in younger patients post-CABG may increase mortality

While frailty is generally viewed as a consideration for the elderly, new research in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests it is deadlier in younger patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

July 24, 2018

Discharge against medical advice post PCI is ‘infrequent but deadly’

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients who discharge against medical advice (DAMA) are twice as likely to be readmitted to the hospital, according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

July 20, 2018

Operator performs robot-assisted PCI from 100 miles away

“Tele-stenting” appears more possible now than ever, as Vascular Robotics announced an interventional cardiologist used its CorPath GRX System to perform a remote percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a pig 100 miles away.

July 19, 2018

Women, blacks have higher CABG mortality rates

Women and black patients have higher coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) mortality rates than men and white patients, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

July 16, 2018

Around the web

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.

Health Imaging

New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

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

Interventional Cardiology

Cardiologists reflect on developing primary PCI in face of criticism and pushback

How TAVR valve choice impacts outcomes when treating type 1 bicuspid AS

IVUS-guided PCI reduces risks in patients with diabetes

Medtronic using AI to identify more TAVR patients in need

SAVR linked to higher 10-year survival rate than TAVR for low-risk patients

Around the web