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.

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare

10 reasons heart teams may consider SAVR over TAVR when treating aortic stenosis

As much as TAVR's popularity has grown in recent years, there are still many instances when a heart team may find that surgery offers the best path forward. 

Sahil Parikh explains the tread of cardiology departments treating critical limb ischemia (CLI) at AHA 2022.

Interventional cardiology's role in treating CLI continues to evolve

Sahil Parikh, MD, talked to Cardiovascular Business about growing trends related to the treatment of critical lower limb ischemia. "We are getting better and better at saving their limbs, but we are not better at saving their lives," he said. 

The Millipede 088 Access Catheter. Image courtesy of Perfuze. FDA clearance.

Regulatory Roundup: FDA clears 2 new solutions, declines to approve omecamtiv mecarbil for HFrEF

Read our monthly recap of FDA-related news items from the world of cardiovascular medicine. 

ElectroDucer Sleeve PCI TAVR EuroIntervention

New direct wire pacing device shows potential during PCI and TAVR, first-in-human study finds

Early evidence suggests the Electroducer Sleeve is safe and effective among patients presenting for certain interventional procedures. 

Sahil A. Parikh, MD, Director of Endovascular Services at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Associate Professor of Medicine at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, explained the growing trend or interventional cardiologists treating PAD and CLI. He shares what he thinks is important for cardiology departments to know before expanding expanding their programs in this space.

What do interventional cardiologists need to treat PAD and CLI?

Sahil Parikh, MD, director of endovascular services at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, said treating these patients can be quite challenging. 

Canada’s first Black female interventional cardiologist honored with new doll

Alexandra Bastiany, MD, made history when she became Canada’s first Black female interventional cardiologist in 2020. Now, that achievement is being recognized in a surprising way.

New patient-specific heart models could change how cardiologists make treatment decisions

The 3D-printed models are soft, flexible and can mimic the way a patient's heart may respond to different interventions. 

Tim Attebery, DSc, MBA, the CEO of Cardiovascular Associates of America and former CEO of the American College of Cardiology (ACC)

Q&A: Tim Attebery on why private equity-backed management companies are investing in cardiology

The CEO of Cardiovascular Associates of America, and former CEO of the American College of Cardiology, shared his perspective on the rise of private equity investments in cardiology. 

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.