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.

Boston Scientific ACURATE neo2 aortic valve system self-expanding TAVR valve

Boston Scientific TAVR valve linked to positive outcomes after next-day discharge

The self-expanding valve is not yet approved by the FDA, but care teams in other markets are reporting positive outcomes when patients go home the day after treatment. 

Jim Melton, DO, vascular surgeon and co-founder of the CardioVascular Health Clinic in Oklahoma City, explains the use of mobile outreach cardiology clinics to help rural and Native American populations.

Mobile cardiology clinic reaches rural, Native American populations in Oklahoma

Jim Melton, DO, a vascular surgeon in Oklahoma City, explains his efforts to reach patients in rural Oklahoma and Native American tribes with a mobile cardiovascular clinic program.

cardiologist viewing heart data

TAVR and pulmonary hypertension: Key details from a study of 35,000 patients

Patients with pulmonary hypertension are associated with increased short- and long-term risks of death following TAVR. Researchers emphasized the importance of learning as much as possible about this topic going forward. 

Pulse Biosciences nanosecond PFA pulsed field ablation system

FDA grants nanosecond PFA system its breakthrough device designation

The new-look PFA system from Pulse Biosciences was designed to treat AFib with a single application that lasts less than two seconds.

cardiologist viewing heart data

Pulsed field ablation safe for AFib patients, large new study confirms

Electrophysiology specialist Vivek Reddy, MD, and colleagues reviewed data from more than 17,000 patients, presenting their findings in Nature Medicine.

Impella Heart Pump Abiomed RECOVER IV RCT cardiogenic shock

Impella use may not improve high-risk PCI outcomes

Impella heart pumps may not provide as much value when treating high-risk patients as early data suggested.

Biolimus A9 Coated Balloon from BioAscend

In-stent restenosis after PCI: New biolimus-coated balloon non-inferior to paclitaxel devices

A new study of nearly 300 PCI patients suggests biolimus-coated balloons could provide significant value to interventional cardiologists in the years ahead.  

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Routine stress tests after PCI make little difference, even in high-risk ACS patients

Some care teams have turned to a more active follow-up strategy for high-risk PCI patients—but it may not provide much value. 

Around the web

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

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