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.

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Baseline TR linked to lower quality of life after TAVR, M-TEER—are more interventions the answer?

Patients presenting for TAVR or M-TEER with baseline moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation were associated with lower post-treatment KCCQ scores and a higher mortality rate. Perhaps treating more of these patients with tricuspid valve repair or replacement could make a difference, researchers noted. 

Pausing oral anticoagulation during TAVR reduces bleeding risk

The findings, based on data from more than 800 TAVR patients, suggest that skipping OAC medications for a small amount of time could make a big impact.

OCT-guided PCI, or optical coherence tomography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention.

OCT-guided PCI boosts outcomes when treating complex lesions

When PCI patients present with complex lesions, optical coherence tomography may provide significant value.

PCI interventional cardiology

PCI before TAVR a winning combination for many heart patients

“No clear recommendation currently exists in U.S. or European guidelines for performing PCI in addition to TAVR,” researchers wrote. The group hoped its study could provide some clarity. 

The SAPIEN 3 Ultra (S3U) transcatheter heart valve from Edwards Lifesciences is

TAVR outperforms SAVR when treating women, historic all-female trial confirms

The study, presented at ESC Congress 2024 in London, confirmed that TAVR was associated with significantly better outcomes than surgery when treating female patients. 

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

TAVR complication rates keep falling, highlighting considerable progress

Complications are also down after SAVR, researchers noted, though the drop has been much more dramatic for TAVR patients. The new analysis was based on Medicare data from more than 210,000 patients.

Banner ASC in Sun City, Arizona.

PAD patients fare better when they have a strong support system

PAD patients with a strong social support system were associated with better outcomes in a new analysis published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery.

Renata Medical, a California-based healthcare technology company, has gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a new stent specifically designed for pediatric patients with congenital heart defects. The Minima Growth Stent was built to treat newborns, infants and young children, and then it continues to expand as the patient ages

FDA approves new expanding stent for young children

The new interventional device from Renata Medical is designed to expand as young patients age, providing long-term relief. 

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