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.

High-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with an Impella heart pump is associated with better outcomes, including a significantly higher survival rate, than high-risk PCI with an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), according to new findings published in the American Journal of Cardiology. Impella Heart Pump Abiomed RECOVER IV RCT cardiogenic shock

Impella heart pumps linked to improved high-risk PCI outcomes

Researchers examined data from patients who underwent high-risk PCI with either an Impella heart pump or an intra-aortic balloon pump.

October 13, 2022
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients who suffer from cognitive impairment face a higher risk of one-year mortality and developing postoperative delirium (POD), according to a new study published in the American Journal of Cardiology.

An updated look at how cognitive impairment affects TAVR outcomes

The connection between cognitive impairment and postoperative delirium among TAVR patients stood out as a definite concern to the study's authors.

October 13, 2022
cardiologist Peter J. Fitzgerald, MD, PhD, HeartBeam

Cardiac technology startup names cardiologist Peter Fitzgerald its chief medical officer

Fitzgerald, a leading figure in interventional cardiology, praised the company's potential to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. 

October 12, 2022
A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare. Sex differences in TAVR one-year mortality.

Severe prosthesis-patient mismatch after TAVR linked to a higher risk of death

Researchers examined data from 82,000 TAVR patients, focusing on echocardiography-defined PPM. They shared their results in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.

October 11, 2022
Using fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements to guide percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures for patients presenting with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated fewer stent implantations, according to a new meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Cardiology. The study’s authors also emphasized that FFR-guided PCI can help improve resource utilization by identifying lesions that do not require treatment.

FFR-guided PCI provides significant value, new meta-analysis confirms

FFR-guided PCI was associated with improved resource utilization and less radiation exposure, among other benefits, when compared to angiography-guided procedures.

October 11, 2022
john_carroll_on_pfo_closure.jpg

VIDEO: Role of PFO closure in stroke prevention

John Carroll, MD, director of interventional cardiology and professor of medicine at the University of Colorado, explains the state of  transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) to prevent stroke.

October 10, 2022
hospital ward

5 key predictors of heart failure hospitalizations after TAVR

Diabetes and atrial fibrillation are just some of the factors that can increase a patient's risk of being hospitalized for heart failure within one year of undergoing a successful TAVR procedure.

October 6, 2022
Interventional cardiologists performing PCI

P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after PCI similar to prolonged DAPT, new 3-year analysis confirms

Researchers have shared an updated analysis of the SMART-CHOICE study, focusing on major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events—as well as bleeding events—among PCI patients after three years. 

October 5, 2022

Around the web

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

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

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