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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Women less likely to survive heart surgery complications than men

"We are failing to rescue women after high-risk surgery," one researcher said after reviewing years of Medicare data. 

cardiologist salary and compensation data

Cardiologist compensation still rising, especially in invasive and interventional cardiology

Updated compensation data includes good news for multiple subspecialties. The new report also examines private equity's impact on employment models and how much male cardiologists earn compared to females.

Contego Medical, a North Carolina-based medical device company, has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its new all-in-one carotid stenting offering, the Neuroguard IEP System

FDA gives green light to 3-in-1 carotid stent system designed to limit strokes

The newly approved system includes a stent, dilation balloon and integrated embolic protection filter. After CMS expanded Medicare coverage for carotid artery stenting in 2023, the procedures are expected to grow more and more common as time goes on. 

Cardiologists have performed what they believe to be the world’s first substernal lead extraction, sharing their experience in JACC: Case Reports.[1]The device being extracted, Medtronic’s Aurora EV-ICD, received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in October 2023.

Cardiologists perform world’s first substernal lead extraction

The 49-year-old patient was not in pain or suffering any complications, but he wished to have his extravascular ICD removed once his symptoms improved. The care team agreed to extract it after a long discussion, and they said it was "easier than expected." 

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Predicting vascular complications during TAVR just got a little easier

A new risk score shows potential to help cardiologists predict the risk of some TAVR complications before they happen, guiding important treatment decisions.

Interventional cardiology procedure in a cath lab at Beaumont Hospital.

SCAI shares STEMI recommendations for cardiologists and cath labs

“This document represents a collective effort to refine and advance the standards of care in STEMI management," according to one cardiologist behind the project. 

V-Wave has gained considerable attention or its Ventura Interatrial Shunt System, a small implantable device designed to reduce pressure on the left atrium and the lungs in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The Ventura device includes a nitinol hourglass-shaped frame that anchors to the patient’s fossa ovalis in a way that prevents migration or embolization. It is implanted via an interventional procedure with fluoroscopy and echocardiography guidance.

Johnson & Johnson completes V-Wave acquisition

While the initial purchase price was $600 million, the final amount could reach approximately $1.7 billion if certain milestones are met. V-Wave's Ventura Interatrial Shunt System for HFrEF has gained considerable interest in recent years, and Johnson & Johnson was an early investor in the technology back in 2016.

An FDA panel will discuss its recommendations related to Abbott's TriClip G4 transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system for tricuspid regurgitation.

CMS considers Medicare coverage options for tricuspid valve repair at Abbott’s request

CMS is now accepting public comments on this topic until Nov. 2. A final decision is expected by July 2025.

Around the web

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.