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.

Cordis Showcases Comprehensive Interventional Cardiology Portfolio with Coronary Stents at TCT 2017

Cordis is Now the Exclusive U.S. Distributor of Medinol Coronary Stents

October 30, 2017

TCT 2017: PCI, TAVR anniversaries spur forward-looking discussions

DENVER — Before the 29th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium kicked into full swing Oct. 30, a pair of doctors drew attention to two important anniversaries for interventional cardiology. The first PCI was performed 40 years ago and the first transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was completed 15 years ago.

October 30, 2017

Cardiologist’s Twitter poll highlights TCT trials of greatest interest

Several of the late-breaking clinical trials presented at the 29th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium in Denver next week are sure to generate significant interest in the cardiology community. Some could even change practice, according to experts in the field.

October 27, 2017

Chewing—not just swallowing—ticagrelor helps the blood thinner work faster

Chewing blood thinner ticagrelor rather than simply swallowing the pill could yield more effective results in patients suffering from ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), research published in JAMA Cardiology this week suggests.

October 26, 2017

Edwards Lifesciences Reports Third Quarter Results

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW), the global leader in patient-focused innovations for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring, today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. 

October 24, 2017

Women, minorities see higher risk of ischemic events than white men following stent implantation

Women and minorities experience a higher risk of recurrent ischemic events than white men following everolimus-eluting stent implantation, a JAMA Cardiology study recently found.

October 19, 2017

5 topics to watch at TCT 2017

The 29th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium kicks off in Denver in less than two weeks. In preparation, Gregg W. Stone, MD, co-director of medical research and education at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, provided some expected highlights of this year’s session Oct. 16 during a press briefing.

October 17, 2017

Internists, surgeons both overestimate risk; researcher calls for curriculum revamp

Residents in general surgery and internal medicine both vastly overestimated patients’ risk of postsurgical complications compared to a validated algorithm, a new study found.

October 13, 2017

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