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.

Long-term study supports broader use of multiple arterial grafting

Multiple arterial grafting (MAG) was associated with lower rates of death and revascularization over 15 years of follow-up than the standard form of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), according to a study in JAMA Cardiology.

October 12, 2017

Inexpensive urine test helps surgeons ID kidney injury after open heart surgery

New research out of a Fort Meyers, Florida, health center has yielded a simple and effective urine test that can detect a patient’s risk for kidney injury after open heart surgery.

October 5, 2017

Transcatheter system shows positive 1-year results in treating tricuspid regurgitation

The first patients to receive Edwards Lifesciences’ FORMA system to treat severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) demonstrated significant clinical improvements one year after implantation, according to a study in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

October 4, 2017

Medtronic announces longer-term clinical study of TAVR system

Medtronic has announced a new study to evaluate its next-generation transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system in everyday clinical practice. The self-expanding CoreValve Evolut PRO valve was recently approved for commercial use in Europe and the United States.

September 21, 2017

Cerebral embolic protection device cuts risk of TAVR procedures

Adding a cerebral embolic protection (CEP) device to standard transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was associated with a threefold reduction of all-cause mortality or stroke within one week of the procedure, according to a new study in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

September 18, 2017

CABG, PCI show similar long-term outcomes

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and PCI demonstrated similar long-term outcomes in treating left main coronary artery stenosis, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis of 4,394 patients. However, PCI was associated with a 70 percent increased risk of repeat revascularization.

September 13, 2017

Intracardiac echocardiography for guidance of LAAO reduces time in cath lab

A recent study compared intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for procedural guidance of left atrial appendage occlusions. Both approaches proved to be safe and effective, with no increase in procedure-related complications arising with ICE.

September 11, 2017

Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds similar to drug-eluting balloons, inferior to everolimus-eluting stent for restenosis

Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) appear to offer a safe, innovative therapy for those difficult-to-treat patients who experience in-stent restenosis (ISR), according to a new multicenter study conducted in Europe.

September 7, 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