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.

Biolimus-coated balloons can effectively treat small-vessel coronary artery disease, new first-in-human study confirms

Researchers compared the new-look drug coated balloon with an uncoated balloon, publishing their findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

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Catheter-directed thrombolysis boosts survival rates for submassive pulmonary embolism

The new meta-analysis included data from nearly 10,000 patients. 

When Apple previewed its watchOS 9 update in early June, one of the key features the company highlighted was a new tracking option for atrial fibrillation (AFib) patients. The AFib History feature, approved for patients 22 years and older who have been diagnosed with AFib, was designed to help users gain a better understanding of their symptoms and easily share data with healthcare providers.

Regulatory Roundup: FDA clears several new solutions, including Apple’s latest AFib offering

The FDA had a busy June, clearing multiple solutions designed to treat patients with cardiovascular conditions. 

Two examples of new left atrial appendage occluders (LAAO), the Conformal omn left and the Laminar on the right. evi Nair, MD, FACC, FHRS, director of cardiac electrophysiology at St. Bernard's Healthcare, Jonesboro, Arkansas, explains some of the recent advances in transcatheter left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion technology at the 2022 Transcatheter Valve Therapeutics (TVT) Structural Heart Summit. #TVT #TVT2020 #LAA #LAAO #EPeeps

VIDEO: Advances in left atrial appendage occlusion technology

Devi Nair, MD, director of cardiac electrophysiology at St. Bernard's Healthcare, Jonesboro, Arkansas, explains some of the recent advances in transcatheter left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion technology at the 2022 Transcatheter Valve Therapeutics (TVT) Structural Heart Summit.

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Cardiologists push back on FDA’s thyroid monitoring/contrast media proposal

According to a new SCAI statement, the FDA's recommendation would result in "far-reaching consequences" across multiple specialties. 

Azeem Latib explains advances in transcatheter mitral and tricuspid valve therapies at TVT 2022. #TVT #TVT22 #TVT2022 #TMVR #TTVR

VIDEO: Transcatheter tricuspid devices likely to gain FDA clearance before new mitral advances

It was clear at TVT that tricuspid valve therapies will likely move ahead of new mitral therapies coming to market. Azeem Latib, MD, explained why.

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Links to all the late-breaking structural heart studies at TVT 2022

Here are links to more information for all the late-breaking presentations at the 2022 Transcatheter Valve Therapies (TVT) Structural Heart Summit.

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Concerns about overuse of stress testing after PCI may be unwarranted

The majority of patients undergoing stress tests have symptoms consistent with obstructive coronary artery disease.

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.