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.

Interventional cardiologist Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, named new director of Mount Sinai Heart

Bhatt succeeds Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, who has held the position since 2006 and will now serve in a more advisory role at Mount Sinai Heart.

Abiomed’s Impella RP Flex with SmartAssist heart pump has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of acute right heart failure for up to 14 days.

Abiomed heart pump gains FDA approval to treat acute right heart failure

The device includes dual-sensor technology, an 11 French indwelling catheter and a flexible cannula.

A study that analyzed patient outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in veterans showed outcomes for on-pump and off-pump procedures over 10 years to be similar. Photo by Jim Lennon

Repeat surgery vs. PCI in patients with a history of CABG: A complex decision for heart teams to consider

The study's authors examined data from nearly 10,000 patients for a new meta-analysis, presenting their findings in JTCVS Open.

Newly approved radiation protection system said to reduce exposure by 90%

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s latest radiological clearance should come as welcome news to radiologists and cardiologists who perform interventional procedures.

A team of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in Hong Kong has performed the first successful undermining iatrogenic coronary obstruction with radiofrequency needle procedure—or UNICORN for short—on a high-risk valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patient. The group wrote about their experience in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions, a journal launched and distributed by the American Heart Association.

Cardiologists make history, perform first UNICORN procedure during valve-in-valve TAVR

BASILICA was considered for the 67-year-old female patient, but UNICORN was seen as an overall better option. The full case study was published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Regulatory Roundup: FDA approves new heart failure therapy, clears an interventional device and much more

The FDA has been busy this month. Review some of the biggest FDA-related stories of October, including big news from scPharmaceuticals, Abiomed, Bristol Myers Squibb and MedAlliance, in our monthly roundup. 

Cordis acquires MedAlliance, known for its drug-eluting balloon technology, in deal that could surpass $1B

Cordis to acquire MedAlliance, known for its drug-eluting balloons, in deal that could surpass $1B

The acquisition includes an initial investment of $35 million and an upfront closing payment of $200 million. By 2029, if the companies reach all targeted regulatory and commercial milestones, the acquisition could cost Cordis up to $1.135 billion in all.

TEER reduces mitral regurgitation, boosts survival among cardiogenic shock patients

Researchers tracked outcomes data and imaging results from nearly 4,000 TEER patients, sharing their findings in the Journal of the American College of 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.