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.

Thumbnail

Guided antiplatelet therapy improves outcomes for PCI patients

The meta-analysis included data from 14 different studies investigating the differences between guided and standard antiplatelet therapy after PCI.

Thumbnail

Transseptal MViV for high-risk patients associated with 100% success rate after 1 year

Researchers explored data from one arm of the MITRAL early feasible study, sharing their findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. 

Thumbnail

FDA announces recall of Medtronic blood pump after reports of multiple injuries

The recall comes after multiple reports of electrical failure, which can cause the pump to smoke, give off a strong burning odor or stop working altogether. 

Thumbnail

TEER still beneficial for heart failure patients with an elevated mitral valve gradient

Researchers explored data from the COAPT trial, sharing their findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

M&A mergers and acquisitions business deal

Endologix acquires medical device company focused on peripheral artery disease

PQ Bypass, the company Endologix acquired, has gained significant attention for its Detour platform, an investigational treatment for percutaneous femoral-popliteal bypass.

Thumbnail

Uninterrupted OAC therapy for PCI patients leads to cost savings, shorter lengths of stay

Putting OAC therapy on hold does have its own benefits, the authors wrote, but uninterrupted OAC therapy is still the better choice. 

Thumbnail

New guidelines focus on the management of heart failure patients with secondary mitral regurgitation

The Heart Failure Association, European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging, European Heart Rhythm Association and European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions all collaborated on the position statement.

Thumbnail

Abbott gains CE mark approval for short-term DAPT after stent implantation in high-risk patients

Abbott is currently seeking a similar approval from the FDA.

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.